temple-mountain

The mountain temple is an iconic architectural style of Khmer temples, representing Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.

The Khmer mountain temple is designed to symbolize Mount Meru, surrounded by oceans and minor mountain ranges, according to ancient Hindu and Buddhist cosmologies. Each level of the temple represents a different level of the cosmos, culminating with the main sanctuary at the top, symbolizing the peak of Mount Meru. These temples often served as the center of religious and political activities, acting as the divine residence of the god to whom the temple was dedicated and as a celestial palace for the king. One of the most famous examples is Angkor Wat, originally designed for Vishnu during the reign of Suryavarman II.