Bayon Temple

(late quarter of the 12th century and early 13th century: 1177-1230), king Jayavarman 7, Monument: Bayon Temple. In this style the Khmer art and architecture had been failed because of the temples created fast and on the other hand the stones are inferior quality to those of the earlier time and especially the plan of Bayon Temple was very complicated and disorganized for several times. Bayon Temple was as artificial temple mountain which stood on a high base with 3 levels but the first 2 levels are surrounded by sandstone galleries and the third levels which comprises 25 meters in diameters used as the base of the main tower (45-47 meter high). The other temples stood on the ground level as like the monasteries for installation the statue of Buddha. The special feature of Bayon Temple and its style connected with the 4 great popular stone faces of Avalokitesvara and the gigantic figures of god and demons stand on the both sides of the gates or Angkor Thom City.
 - The pillar : the pillar are decorated with the female divinities (Apsaras). 
- The gallery : the gallery of bas-reliefs depicted from the scenes of daily life and the battle between the Cham fleet and the Khmer troops in the year 1177-1181.
 - The architecture material: (wood, laterite, sandstone and some reused stone).
 - The lintel : the lintels are similar to those of the Angkor style.
 - The column : most of the artists are frequently carved with leaves and finger rings.
 - The pediment : the pediments are similar to those of Angkor style.
    The pediments depicted the legend of Buddha
- The statue : the male and female statues reached their summit and their shapes are not elegant but their facial expressions are elegant as such are the statues of Buddha. Avalokitesvara and king Jayavarman 7. These statues with their eyes glowered down and looked meditation but gently smiled by the want to see the smile of Bayon Temple.
 - The male statue : the male statues with short skirts.
 - The female statue : the female statues with flowery skirts which hung down to the ground with quiet and gently smiled but the torso and the costumes are not elegant. Besides the Naga balustrades with decoration and the guardians are similar to those fo the Angkor style and sometimes they found the lion head are divergent.