Suryavarman II and the building of Angkor Wat
Suryavarman II commissioned Angkor Wat in the 12th century. Learn about the king, his wars, his devotion to Vishnu and how his temple became Cambodia's national symbol.
In this guide
Angkor Wat is the most famous building in Cambodia and appears on the national flag. It was commissioned by King Suryavarman II, who ruled in the first half of the 12th century. His temple tells us a great deal about him, even though written records of his life are limited.
The king
Suryavarman II came to power around 1113 after a period of conflict between rival claimants. Inscriptions describe him as a powerful ruler who reunited the kingdom. He led military campaigns against neighbouring powers, including Dai Viet to the east and the Cham kingdoms, with mixed results. He also sent embassies to China, which recorded his kingdom as a major power.
A temple for Vishnu
Most earlier Angkorian state temples were dedicated to Shiva. Suryavarman II chose Vishnu, and Angkor Wat was built as a vast representation of the Hindu universe, with its central towers standing for Mount Meru, home of the gods, and its moat for the cosmic ocean.
Many scholars believe the temple also served as the king's funerary monument. One reason is its westward orientation, a direction associated with death and with Vishnu. Inside, he is believed to have been honoured after death under the name Paramavishnuloka, "he who has gone to the supreme world of Vishnu".
The king in stone
In the south gallery of Angkor Wat, a long bas-relief shows a grand procession of troops, commanders and royal attendants. The king is shown seated, larger than those around him, beneath many parasols that signal rank. Inscriptions beside the figures name officials and units, making this one of the few portraits of an Angkorian king.
Building the temple
Angkor Wat was a project on a huge scale: a moat around 190 metres wide surrounds an enclosure of more than a kilometre on each side. Sandstone was quarried in the Phnom Kulen area and brought to the site, probably along canals. Work likely continued after Suryavarman II's death, and some carvings were never finished.
After Suryavarman II
The king died around the middle of the 12th century. A few decades later, Angkor was attacked by the Cham in 1177, leading to the rise of Jayavarman VII. Angkor Wat later became a Buddhist site and has never been completely abandoned.
Seeing his legacy
When you visit Angkor Wat, start with the south gallery procession, then walk counter-clockwise through the bas-reliefs. A licensed guide can point out details, such as the inscriptions and the different military units.