Bayon Temple: The temple with the giant stone faces

Located in the centre of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, popularly known as the temple with the giant stone faces, is one of the most intriguing temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The temple looked like a huge pile of ruins to me when I looked at it from the entrance, but as I walked up the stone steps to reach the mammoth plinth on which it is built, the temple seemed to come alive!

54 stone towers, adorned with 216 giant smiling stone faces, jut high into the sky from all sides of the temple, and as I look up at them, they hold me in a trance. These kind, benevolent faces seem to follow us wherever we go. Little wonder, then, these faces are nicknamed the 'Mona Lisa of Southeast Asia'.

See these glorious stone faces come alive by clicking on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ebrcNKDjkGg

A lot of theories are associated with these giant visages; a common belief is that these faces represent Avalokiteshvara, an earthly manifestation of the Lord Buddha, believed to embody compassion for the world.

Another explanation for these gargantuan faces is that they are look-alikes of King Jayavarman VII himself, who, as the protector of his people, smiles benevolently upon his empire.

I found both these explanations quite plausible, the earlier because the Bayon Temple was originally built as a Buddhist temple and the latter, because the Khmer Empire had 54 provinces at the time, and each of these massive towers symbolically stood as watchtowers with the face of their king engraved on them.

Walk up the steps to reach the mammoth plinth on which the temple structure stands

The temple is divided into 3 levels.

Level one is the outer facade, stunning, intricate depictions of Cambodians' everyday lives will greet you at the entrance to the temple. Bas-reliefs of celestial dancers, Apsaras and accomplished female yoga gurus, Yoginis, guard the gates leading into the temple.

Figure of a Yogini guarding the entrance to the temple

A small wooden staircase will take you to the second level. The orante bas-reliefs depict mythological scenes from Hinduism, scenes from the life of Lord Krishna and a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The narrow passages lead you through a maze of intertwining corridors and alleyways that lend a feeling of mystique to this temple.

On the third and highest level, also called Upper Terrace, you can see the central tower and the faces up close.

What you need to know before you visit the Bayon Temple

• Bayon Temple lies in the centre of Angkor Thom.

• Entry to the temple is included in the Angkor Day Pass.

• You should keep aside at least an hour to see it.

• The temple faces east, so the best time to visit is at sunrise when the sun's rays fall directly on the stone faces.

• The best entrance to the temple is also from the East Gate.

• You don't need to walk much to reach the temple since you can drive up quite close to the temple in the parking lot.

• However, once inside, you will have to navigate through many staircases and vestibules to see the inner galleries adorned with stunning bas-reliefs.

• If you wish to see the giant faces closely, then you must climb up to the third and highest level, also called Upper Terrace, of the temple. This calls for a special mention here because most people come to this temple completely exhausted after having spent the entire first half of the day at Angkor Wat.

  
  
  
  

Bayon Temple is as enchanting as its illustrious neighbour, the famous Angkor Wat. Plan to spend a leisurely hour or so at the temple, and the smiling human faces carved out of stone will come alive under your gaze.