Bayon, the Smiling Face temple
I would like to introduce you the charming temple, which is called Bayon temple or the temple of Smiling Face (Google Map here). There are 216 massive stone faces smiling enigmatically, looking at all directions. There are extraordinary bas-reliefs for about 11,000 figures in the entire temple. The giant smiling faces made this temple very special and very famous among visitors. It was enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage in 1992 together with Angkor Wat temple. Bayon “ the temple that was built to dedicate to a father” is located in the center of Angkor Thom, famous Angkorian Water City.
ប្រាសាទបាយ័ន Bayon was built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII as part of a massive expansion of his capital of Angkor Thom. It is located right in central axis of Angkor Thom city, surrounded by the square ramparts of 3km. There are 5 gates to the temple and it stands on the 12km2 land. The length of the temple itself is 140mx160m. Visitors amaze at how these huge faces could be built and for sure enlisted in the bucket list to visit while in Siem Reap and Cambodia. By the way, did I mention somewhere that this temple is the love of Indian tourists/visitors? They surely love this temple and often I see them doing some rituals when visiting.
Let's us take a tour around the temple
Unlike the magnificent Angkor Wat temple that looks enormous from the outside, Bayon doesn’t look impressive from a distance. You can’t fully appreciate its beauty until you enter the temple. When entering the temple, be sure to keep in mind that there are three galleries to look at and the length of the visit should be around 30mns to 2 hours and the best time to see the temple is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- The outer gallery on the first level depicts scenes from everyday life and historical events, it is where we learnt more about our roots and that’s where we know much of lives during that time. There an impressive number of bas-reliefs and carving which detailed about Khmer armies, apsara, naval battles, fishermen, cockfights, chess matching, women giving birth, businesses at local markets and many more other things. Some bas reliefs show ordinary days living such as two people playing chess, a cockfight match and women selling fish in the market, meals being prepared, Bokator fighting, and Khmer circus. A video by a visitor about the carving on outer gallery
- The inner gallery on the next higher level depicts mythical figures and stories. Some of the figures depicted are Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. This gallery was said to be added by the Hindu King Jayavarman VIII, is elevated above ground level, and the upper terrace, which holds over 200 of the famous giant faces.
- The last one is very special; it is the center of the temple. When you enter the temple and make your way up to the third level, you will see the appearance of the magical smiling faces – 216 famous giant faces. A circular central tower rises 43m high.
Why Smiling faces?
Smiling faces can mean many things.
- Some believe they represented Avalokitesvara, Mahayana Buddhism’s compassionate Bodh. However, some argued that it represents Vishnu as seen through his eyes and forehead.
- Others believe they are the likeness of King Jayavaraman VII himself or the combination of him and the Buddha. During that time, the Khmer empire was huge and divided into 54 provinces (currently only 25) so the construction of 54 pairs of all-seeing eyes is to keep watching on the kingdom’s outlying subjects. Some believe that these 54 faces represented the faces of the governors or leaders of those provinces (54 provinces covered on 1million km2) during that time. The central tower represented the King himself, who is the top leader.
- There are only 37 pairs remain as of today and each face is 7 meters carved into the stone. Bayon temple is the only temple in the kingdom that were built primarily as Mahayana Buddhist shrine dedicated to the Buddha.
- Thus, it is another belief that it represents the four sublimes’ states of the Buddha “Prumvihearthor ព្រហ្មវិហារធម៌” that the king Jayavarman VII himself a strict follower [1). មេត្តា Loving-kindness, 2). ករុណា Compassion, 3). មុទិតា Sympathetic joy, 4). ឧបេក្ខា Equanimity].
Please note that it is possible that the temple roof was covered in gold at the time of the construction but we cannot say it is true or not. I have seen that 3D video about it.
Some of other temples in the compound included (built by King Jayavarman VII)
- Preah Khan "Angkorian city's administration office"
- Taprum “ Tom Raider temple”
- Baphuon
- Phimeanakas
- Tasom
- Tanei
- Banteay Kdei
- Prasat Preah Palilay
- The elephant terraces
- Takeo
- Victory gate
- Gate of ghost
- Kravan
Entrance tickets: 1 ticket for all temples in Siem Reap province, to save; you can visit 3 temples within the day: either Angkor Wat, Bayon and Taprum or the combination with others, but with the rush you cannot really appreciate the beauty of temples.
- You can purchase one 1-day pass, 3-day pass or 6 months or 12 months entrance ticket to visit any temple in Angkor Archeological Park.
- 1-day pass – US$ 37;
- 3-day pass – US$ 62;
- 7-day pass – US$ 72;
- 12 month pass - US$ 200 (in time of the pandemic: single day passes are upgraded to two days, three day passes to five days and seven day passes to ten days)
- Many people only focus on Angkor Wat temple, Bayon temple (big smiling statue), Taprum temple (Tom Raider temple/Angolina Jolie movie scene) or Banteay Srei temple. However, you can visit hundred other temple surrounding the park, including Phnom Krom, Wat Athvea, Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea and the Roluos Group (Bakong temple, Preah Kou temple).
- There will be guards at every corner for ticket checking.
Other temples built by the King Jayavarman VII
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@TravellerGyou might find this temple interesting 
@Tushar_Suradkarcome and visit the temple with me
Read articles about other temples and sites around Siem Reap here:
Siem Reap province (temples town) |
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