ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE
(The city, which is a Temple)
- Location : 6.5 kilometers, north of Siem Reap and South of Angkor Thom.
- Access : enter and leave the temple from the west entrance.
- Date : first half of the 12th century (A.D 1113-1150) the estimated time fro the construction of the temple is 37 years.
- King : Suryavarman 2 (Paramavishnuloka).
- Religion : Hinduism (Vishnu).
- Art-style : Angkor Wat.
- Restoration by Mr. Jean Commaille (1908-1911) and Mr. Henri Marchal (1932-1935) and Indian team (1986-1993).
- Number of the workers: (385,635) and the sculptors ( 6,465) and the dancers (1,622) and the elephants (40,000) and the bamboo rafts (700) and the stone (estimation), (3,000,000,000 tones) and the Apsara (1,850) with 36 hairstyles.
1. BACKGROUND
Angkor Wat is the largest monument of Angkor Wat Group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. It has perfection in composition, balance, proportions and bas-reliefs and sculpture can make it one of the 7 finest wonders in the world, the first one was:
- Pyramid (Egypt) : the mausoleum of the kings (Egypt-keh-oab; Kah-chrea; Mehn-koarah) was located in the city (Kehr).
- Hanging Garden Babylon (Greece): was built by the king (Nebuchadnezzar) for his wife.
- Statue of God Zeus: (Greece at the Mountain-Oalangpichea), “made of gold and the elephant tusk”, which was built by an ancient sculptor (Phidias).
- Anthemia Temple (Greece) in Ephese city).
- Coffin of the king Mausolee: at Halicarnasse and built in the reign of the queen (Ahntehmees) for her husband; king Mausolee. Today it is in the British museum.
- Le Colosse De Rhodes (God): “315 meters high made of copper” in Rome at Rhodes city.
- Light House (Egypt): was at Ahlehcsohngdhry harbor. All the above finest monuments of the world are in the poor condition; except the Pyramid and Hanging Garden Babylon, which remained intact. So they decided to make a new classification of the marvels in the world as following:
Pyramid (Egypt): Babylon: (Greece); Great Wall of China; Eiffel Tower (Frace) Museum for storing the dead of king (Napoleon) (France); Learning Tower Pisze; name for the temple or monastery; which was probably added to Angkor when it became a (Theravada Buddhist Monument): most likely in the 16th century fro the etymology of the name Angkor. After the year 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh; Angkor was cared by the Buddhist monks for sometime; and then left for 200 years from A.D 1664-1864.
Angkor was the mausoleum of the king Suryavarman 2 and it formerly oriented to the west side to confirm the symbolism between the sunset and death. The bas-reliefs, designed for viewing from the left to the right in the order of Hindu funeral ritual, support this function. The plan of Angkor Wat is difficult to walk through because of the vastness. It’s complexity because both attract and distract one’s attention. Angkor Wat was originally stood on a high base with 3 rectangular levels. The first level is (187 meters wide by 215 meters long) surrounded by sandstone galleries contained the bas-reliefs like (Ramayana, Mahabahrata and Historic War). The second level is (100 meters wide by 115 meters long) and surrounded by sandstone galleries without bas-reliefs that used as a long hall for meditation by high priests. The third level is (60 meters for each side) supported the 5 towers. 4 towers are at the corners of Angkor Wat. This arrangement is called a quincunx towers. All the 5 towers had a conical shape and near the top like rows of lotus buds.
2. SYMBOLISM
Angkor Wat is a miniature replica of the universe in stone and represents an earthly model of the cosmic world. The central tower appears from the center of the monument symbolizing the mythical (Mountain Meru) that situated at the center of the universe. Its 5 towers correspond to the peaks of Mountain Meru. The outer wall (800 meters wide by 1025 meters long) that corresponds to the mountain at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolized the cosmic oceans.
3. LAY-OUT
Angkor Wat occupied a rectangular area of about 195 hectares (1.3 kilometers wide by 1.5 kilometers long) for the whole area. The temple was surrounded by a strong laterite wall (800 meters wide by 1025 meters long) with 4 gates and encircled and area of about 82 hectares. The first evidence of the side is a moat (Phokohrony) ( 190 meters wide and 3 meters in depth) and a vast rectangular around the temple with a perimeter of about (5.5 kilometers) with a long causeway (12 meters wide by 225 meters long and 7 meters high) crossing the moat and serving as the main entrance the temple. This causeway restored in 1960 by the French team. In front of the causeway, we can see a long covered gallery (235 meters) that known as the majestic gallery of Angkor Wat with square columns and a curved roof that extends along the moat from the left to the right with 5 passages, but 3 passages are in the center for the king and High mandarins and the other 2 passages on each end of the gallery that may have served as the passages for the elephants and horse-carts as they are on the ground level. Well! In the 3 main passages, each one of which had a standing statue of God Vishnu with 8 arms, but the one in the south passage was beheaded on 25th of January 1985. Continued westward we can see the second causeway (9 meters wide by 350 meters long and 1.5 meters high) was formerly bordered by a long sandstone handrail in the form of Naga banisters that divided into 6 pairs of staircases. Looking west we can see the celebrated view of the 3 towers of Angkor Wat that appear on the Khmer flag.
On the both sides of the second causeway we can see 2 buildings that called libraries, which are in the shape of across and also symmetrical in plan. Not far from the libraries, there are 2 basins (50 meters wide by 60 meters long and 2 meters in high), but one basin on the left is always with water another on the right is usually dried in the dry season. At the end of the causeway which was originally bordered by a raised sandstone terrace in the shape of across, known as (The terrace of Honor) where the king viewed the procession and received foreign dignitaries or used as (The Landing Stage) for performing today for (The Ramayana Festival). From the top of the terrace we can see a fine view of the gallery on the first level, known as The Gallery of the bas-reliefs which (125 meters wide by 187 meters long) was formerly covered by vaulted sandstone roof that might have been supported by the sandstone pillars. The unit providing a link between the first level and the second level is the cross-shaped galleries. The unique architecture design consists of 2 covered galleries in the shape of across with square columns and a courtyard divided into 4 equal parts with paved basins and the steps that were used fro storing the rain water, but it is not used any more today. Some of the pillars had inscriptions written in Sanskrit and Khmer. On either sides of the courtyard there are 2 libraries of similar form but bigger than the first 2 libraries along the west causeway. The gallery of 1,000 Buddha on the right once contained many statues of Buddha but dating from the period when Angkor Wat became a large Buddhist Temple. In front of the gallery of 1,000 Buddha on the southwest that tells of a Japanese man (Oa-kah-you-oa-mah-tahk) wrote the poems on 30th of April 1932. The gallery on the left is The Hall of Echoes. The second level (100 meters wide by 115 meters long) is solid, not decorated, probably to create an environment for meditation by the priests and the king or used as a long hall for storing the statues of gods, kings or legendary personages. Angkor Wat had 1,850 Apsaras (female dancers) stood on the wall of the gallery offering endless visual and spiritual enchantment. These graceful and beautiful female dancers delight all the visitors. They were created by (The churning of The Ocean of Milk). When we walk closer and look carefully: we see that every one of the celestial nymphs is different. The third level was (60 meters for each side and 13 meters high) and formerly allowed the high priests and the king. It was the base of the 5 towers, one of which contained the most sacred image of the temple. The central tower contained the statue of God Vishnu and was walled up for sometime during the middle 15th century and at a later date; the south door was opened by Mr. Jean Commaille in 1908 and Mr. George Trouve excavated the central tower in 1934 below the surface about 23 meters depth and found around gold-leaf with diameter of 0.18 meter; its weight 650 grams and then fulfilled it up. There are 12 stairways with 37steps 3 stairway on each of the 4 sides of the base. All the stairways are really steep with narrow steps and worn out. Except one stairway on the west side in the center is slightly less steep than the other stairways. The third level; its space’s divided into across-shape area define with the covered galleries and 4 paved courts. A narrow covered gallery with a double row of pillars and the window and balustrades on the outer side, which surround the third level.
4. CENTRAL TOWER
The main tower appears on a tiered base 40-42 meters high above the upper level. The highest of the 5 towers; it is equal in height to (The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris). It sheltered the sacred image of the temple. It originally had 4 porches which opening to the 4 cardinal directions.
5. GALLERY OF BAS-RELIEF
(Helen Churchill Candee 1920) wrote the bas-reliefs, surrounding the first level contained 1,200 square meters of sandstone carvings. The bas-reliefs covered the most of the inner wall of all 4 sides of the gallery and extend for 2 meters high from the top to the bottom. The bas-reliefs are divided into 8 sections theme. There are 2 pavilions at the corners of the west gallery; which have the variety of scenes. The composition of the bas-reliefs can be divided into 2 types:
- Scene without any attempt to contain or separate the contents.
- Scene contained in panels; which are something superimposed on another.
This type is probably carved later. The panels that run horizontally along the wall and generally consisted of 2 or 3 parts. Sometimes the borders at the top and the bottom are also decorated. Themes for the bas-reliefs derived from 2 main sources, Indian Epic and Sacred Books warfare of Angkor Period. Well! The word (Bas) means “low or shallow” and refers to the degree of projection of the carvings.
A. WEST GALLERY
(south part, 50 meters long)
Many of these bas-reliefs shine with almost glassed like smoothness, many pilgrims who are rubbing their hands ran over the bas-reliefs. This battle scene is the main subject the Hindu Epic (Mahabharata). It recalls the historic war in (Kurukshetra), a province in India and depicts the battle between rival enemies who are cousins (Kauravas and Pandavas). It took time for 18 days. The general of Kauravas is Bishma (nearly 1,000 years olds), one of the heroes of the Mahabharata; pierced with arrows, was dying and his men surrounded him. The armies of the gallery where they meet in combat. The scene begins with infantry marching into the battlefield and jesters playing a rhythmic cadence. The battlefield is the scene of deadly and bloody combat and many dead soldiers. High ranking officers and generals are represented in a large size in chariots or on the elephants and horses in order to oversee the battle. God Vishnu intervenes in his incarnation as the four-armed (Krishna) as the charioteer of (Arjuna) who was the general of (Pandavas) army.
A final victory of god (Pandavas) is over devil (Kauravas).
I. SOUTHWEST PAVILLION
The bas-reliefs in this corner pavilion depicted scenes from the life of Krishma (Mahabharata) and Indian Epics (Ramayana).
II. EAST PART
- Left hand side : the water festival 2 ships with decoration and in the sky we can see the flying Apsaras and some chess players on the ship.
And on the right : we can see the chock fight that is still popular in Cambodia today.
- Center above the door : we see Vishnu receiving some offerings from his devotees.
- Right hand side : God Siva is meditation on the top of the mountain among his devotees and in the grotto we see some hermits are in meditation and some wild animals lived on the mountain. This part is badly eroded.
III. WEST PART
- Left hand side : Siva with his wife (Parvati) on “The Mountain in Kailasa” and below them we can also see a strange character is the demon (Ravana) trying to shake the mountain.
- Center above the door : being a small boy; Krishna was naughty, teased his companions, but he protected them, was attached at the first to a tree as a punishment from his adoptive mother (Yasoda). He uprooted the tree that god incarnated.
- Right hand side : Ravana disguised the form of a lizard sitting on the door-frame of Indra’s palace in order to repeat the on-off key spelled by Indra when he left for meditation. When Ravana presented himself into the palace and had a sex with (Bhagavathi), Indra’s wife. She surprised by disguised Indra but she go no idea. Finally she realized and killed herself for humiliation.
IV. NORTH PART
- Left hand side : scene of Vishnu legend, The Churning of the Ocean of Milk for extraction Amrita (Liquor of Immortality). We can also see the gods and the demons hold a snake (Vasuki) and the upper part (The Sun and The Moon).
- Center above the door : Rama is the seventh incarnation of Vishnu killed (Maharica), who transformed as a golden stag in order to let Ravana abducts Sita.
- Right hand side : Krishna, accompanied by his older brother (Balarama), who lifts The Mountain Govardhana to shelter the shepherds and the herds from the storm ignited by the anger of god Indra.
V. SOUTH PART
- Left hand side : (Ramayana Story) the fight between 2 enemy brothers, Valin and Sugriva, who later became one of Rama’s followers and was instructed to fight against his brother. At first attempt Valin won the battle and Sugriva was defeated. To recover his shamefulness, he sought help from Rama who accepted his request without delay and told Sugriva to put on any dress that would distinguish from the former. In the second fight Valin gained the upper hand and captured him as the former was ready to cut off the head of Sugriva. Rama was intervening in the struggle, sent off his magic arrow and killed Valin. Why did they kill each other?
Well! The story goes on as follow: Valin, monkey king ruled the country with his younger brother, Sugriva. One day Valin met Tupi (The water buffalo son of Mahisaso). The fight was going on and on neither sidewon nor lost. Then they settle to fight in a cave, where Valin told Sugriva to block up the entrance when he saw the red blood (Valin’s blood) blasting out.
Well! Unfortunately, when the struggle was going on, it rained to so heavily that Sugriva mistook Tupi’s blood (dark-red), which can dilute with rain becoming red and immediately killed his brother. Valin, with not controlling temper and did not know the fact hit Sugriva with one of his shoes that brought him on upset.
And below, Valin died in his wife’s arms Tara with 3 pointed headdresses.
- Center above the door : depicted Vishnu in the deep forest amongst the animals.
- Right hand side : Siva made his meditation on the peak of the mountain called (Himalayas) with his wife (Parvati) on his side, was attempted to disturb by Kamadeva, god of love who shot one of his flowery arrows into Siva’s heart.
A moment later, he is angry and shooting a fire-ray from his frontal eye, reducing Kamadeva to be ashes. So we can see his dead in his wife’s arm Rati.
B. SOUTH GALLERY (West part, 94 meters long)
(The army of king Suryavarman 2)
This gallery depicted a splendid triumphal procession, from a battlefield between the Khmer and their enemy (Joun dhayveit) in the year 1150 and it also shows the Khmer history. At the beginning of the gallery, we can see king Suryavarman 2 sits on a lower throne and nest to his, is his high mandarin named (Krivadhana) and the royal fortune-teller. King Suryavarman 2 was under the posthumous name (Paramavishnuloka) and also tell the royal procession on the mountain called (Shivapada) and the royal generals are riding on the elephants, their ranks were recognized by the number of parasols. Those generals are:
- Preah-komdheng-agne-sri-vara-singha-varman. P-k-Dhonjaya.
- Preah-komdheng-agne-kak-molak-sri. P-k-kunna-kustah-kahvandh.
- P-k-sri-jayondhra-varman. P-k-sri-verayndhra-dhipahdhay-varman.
- P-k-sri-vireak-yudhea-varman. P-k-sri-jaya-yudhea-varman.
- P-k-sri-phakeh-phaktindhra-varman. P-k-sri-ronak-varak-varman.
- P-k-sri-rajashinha-varma. P-k-sri-varendhra-dhipahdhay-varman.
- P-k-sri-narak-bha-kindhra-varman. P-k-sri-surya-varman.
- P-k-sri-parama-vishnuka Suryavarman2. P-k-sri-tahk-molahk-sri-vahdhahnahk.
- P-k-sri-rajendra-varman. The high priests procession. Preah-pleong, god of fire.
- P-k-sri-maha-sehnah-dhipahdhay-sri-varenhndra-varman.
- P-k-sri-shinha-vara-varman. P-k-sri-jaya-shinha-varman.
- Phamahgne-chehng-chahlahk; (Thai leader). He had joined the Khmer procession.
- The end of the gallery : the military procession resumes with a troop of Thai soldiers (pleated skirts with floral pattern belts with long pendants), plaited hair, headdress with plumes and short moustaches led by their commanders are on the elephants. They were probably either mercenaries of a contingent from (Louvo), today it is called (Lopburi province), conscripted to the Khmer army.
A small inscription under the Thai leader was chiseled off in the year 1982.
C. SOUTH GALLERY (East part, 66 meters long)
(Judgment of god Yama, Hell, Earth, Heaven)
It felt down in 1947 was restored by French man (Jacques Lagisquet 1935-1936 and Henri Marchal 1916-1933) in the year 1950 with a Khmer site director (Ith Svay). It had 3 tiers recounted the judgment of mankind by god Yama. 3 tiers depicted (The Hell, Earth, Hearven). The inscription identified (37 heavens and 32 hells) with scenes of tortures. Further a head we see god Yama (supreme judge) with 18 arms carried the holy sticks, pointed out to his assistants (Dharma and Shitragupta) who are snatching those who had committed sin to take the punishment.
The upper tier could represent the Heaven and the middle tier is Eart, and the lower one is Hell. Yama was sitting on the water buffalo and ordered his 2 assistants to send those who committed the offense to punishment. There is a variety of the punishment such as: The glutton was cut his teeth. Those who debased the virtue or good deed of the other had his bone broken. The rice-thief was afflicted at the belly with barbecued rod. Those who abducted or raped or married his teacher’s wife had to climb a tree of thorn. Those who plucked or picked the flowers in the garden of god Siva had his head nailed. And the torture into the sewage. Torture by tongue with red pincers. Torture by suspension. Torture by dropping into the caldron water. Some were iron-shackles and arm-cuffs. Some imps were hog-tied. The mid-wife aborted the off-spring that they had to be chocked.
D. EAST GALLERY (South part, 50 meters long)
(The Churning of the Ocean of Milk)
The bas-relief of this gallery is famous and depicts the Indian Epics “Bagavata Pourana”. The gods and demons churned the ocean to generate Amrita (The elixir of life). The purpose of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk is to recover the lost treasures such as (The flower, the elephant with 3 heads calls “Airavana”, the colt “Uchaya-shravah”, Lakshmi “Apsara, Amrita). Those objects can symbolize the prosperity. The Churning of the Ocean of Milk took time during the second incarnation of Vishnu, Kuma as a tortoise. The gallery divided into 3 tiers as:
- The lower tier : shows various aquatic animals real and mythical were snapped up and torn up to many pieces by the turbulent waves of the churning and was bordered by the serpent Vasuki laid on the bed of the ocean.
- The middle tier : identifies a row of 92 demons with round bulging eyes at the heard of the snake and 88 gods with sharp eye at the tail. The demons and gods directed by 3 persons identified by bigger size.
- Upper tier : reveal the flying Apsara. The demons and gods work together to churn the Ocean of Milk by a large cord in the form of the body of the serpent Vasuki acts as a stirring instrument to churn the Ocean.
(The Mountain Mandara) which was uses as a pivot for the churning.
The Churning of Ocean of Milk took time for over 1,000 years, Mountain Mandara had sunk down, god Vishnu was the referee in the form of human being under the name of (Caturbhyja) with 4 arms, immediately transformed into a tortoise (Kuma) offered the back of his shell as a base to support it so that they can complete the struggle. Indra is on the top of the mountain in order to hold it. At the tail of the serpent we see (Chumpupieno: monkey king) who tickles the serpent.
The churning provokes the serpent to vomit the mortal venom (Hala-hala) which covers the waves of the ocean. It may destroy the gods and the demons, god Brahma intervenes and requests god Siva to devour and drink the venom, which burns and turns Siva’s throat green that he could be called (Nilakantha). Finally Asuras attempted Amrita, but the god Vishnu discovered and appeared in the form of a fish (Matya) a bewitching girl to deceive the Asuras for gods. Rahu, disguised and joined the gods so that to have a drink, but unfortuanately, he was seen by Surya and Chandra who informed Vishnu. Without delay he threw his disc that cut off Rahu’s head. That’s why Rahu has to bear malice with Surya and Chandra forever and ever. At the both ends of the gallery the troop, attendants, elephants and horses of the participants were already.
E. INSCRIPTION
There is an interesting inscription of the early 18th century when Angkor Wat became a Buddhist Monastery. It tells of a provincial governor who built a small tomb of laterite where he deposited the bone of his wife and children. The structure is in poor condition but recognizable in its original location directly in front of the inscription.
F. EAST GALLERY (North part, 52 meters long)
(Victory of Vishnu over the demons)
It depicted the victory of god Vishnu over the demons. This gallery was probable completely carved at a later date perhaps 15th century or 16th century in 1546-12566 in the reign of king Ang Chhanraja 1 (1516-1566). There was another king (Samdech-angah-rahks-varman-rajadhiraja-rama-dhipahdhay-varman) that could order another king (Preah-mahithea-raja) who was the royal sculptor to carve the 2 galleries (east and north). This gallery is not a good workmanship. The scene begins with the army of demons marched towards the center of the gallery. At the center, god Vishnu with 4 arms sits on the shoulder of Garuda. It’s a scene of carnage follows, god Vishnu slaughters the enemies on the both sides and disperses them. The leader of the demons mounted on the animals or rode in chariots drawn by horses or the griffins (Gajashimha) and surrounded by their soldiers.
G. NORTH GALLERY (East part, 66 meters long)
(The victory of Krishna over the demon king, Bana)
It depicted the victory of Krshna eighth incarnation of god Vishnu over the demon king (Bana), capital “Sonitapura”. It derived from a religious sculpture Hiravamsa. At the beginning of the gallery Vishnu is in his incarnation as Krishna on Garuda (divine vulture), he had 8 arms with multiple heads and flanked by 2 heroes whose one of them is (Balarama) older brother of Krishna holding a plow as his weapon and another is his son (Pradyman). Garuda is extinguishing the fire set by the enemies in order to protect their town, and behind it we see Agni (god of fire), sitting on the rhinoceros (Asia book), but reverence (Bhang Kaht) said that is the demon king is on a rhinoceros.
In the middle part we see Bana with multiple arms comes from the opposite direction and is riding in the chariot drawn by lions. Extreme right Krishna with (1,000 heads and arms) acroos his chest, kneels in front of Siva who sits on the mountain Kailasa with his wife Parvati and their sons (Ganesa and Skanda) and also god Brahman demanding to leave Bana survive. Siva said: eh! Krishna, you are very powerful of all living creatures in the world, I try to spare the life of Bana, what I mentioned is rally true. Krishna, replied with his soft-spoken word: please, you can let Bana wins because you demand to leave Bana survive, I am not better that Bana, I agreed with what you had mentioned.
H. NORTH GALLERY (West part, 94 meters long)
(The battle between the gods and the demons)
Mr. George Soedes considers this gallery depicted (21 Brahmanism gods) marched in procession and carrying traditional attributes and riding on their own vehicles. The gods identified by the conical headdresses and the demons by the crested headdresses. The names of the main gods are (Kubera), “god of wealth” with bows and arrows, sits on the shoulders of the demon. (Skanda), “god of war” with multiple heads and arms, sits on a peacock. Indra, “god of cloud” is standing on the elephant (Airavana). Vishnu with 4 arms sits on Garuda, Asura (Kalamani) with multiple heads shaking a sword. Yama, god of death or justice, carries a sword and a shied sits in a chariot drawn by water buffalo. Siva carries a bow and he stands on his bull “Nandin”. Brahma, god of the creator, on the sacred swan. Surya, god of sun is riding in a chariot pulled by horses. Varuna, god of the rain stands on a Naga with 5 heads.
I. NORTHWEST PAVILION
The bas-reliefs in this pavilion depicts scenes from the life of Krishna, Vishnu and the Indian Epic (Ramayana).
II. EAST PAVILION
- Left hand side (south) : depicted Vishnu reincarnated as the four-armed Krishna sits on Garuda with his wife (Sahtyahbahma) returned from a successful campaign at (The Mountain Maniparvarta) where he took from the demon (Naraka). His army, attendants carry the spoils of the demon.
- Center above the door : it is an interview of Rama, Lakshmana with monkey-king called (Sugriva) on the mountain (Himalayas) but by Mr. George Soedes said that it is (Komarmohaparvata) in order to win the support of the monkey-king.
- Right hand side (north) : god Vishnu reclines on the snake Anata, which is floating on the cosmic water, but at the upper part of whose body and head are missing. We can see Vishnu’s wife (Lakshmi) sits at his feet. Lotus blossom grows from the body of Vishnu and at the upper part, we see Apsara carry the flowers glide around him. In the lower part, we see a group of 10 gods had come to ask for the new universe and paid homage to him, those gods are: Chandra (god of moon) is riding in a chariot drawn by horses. Surya (god of sun) he rides in a good chariot drawn horses and the god Kubera (god of wealth) on the demon. Braham (god of the creator) on sacred goose, and Skanda (god of war) is on a peacock, Agni or Varuna, Vayu) on horse. Indra (god of cloud) on an elephant with 3 heads (Airavana) and Yama (god of the death or justice) on a water buffalo and god Siva (god of the destroyer) on a bull (Nandin) and the last god is (Niruth or Kethu, god of bad deed) on a lion.
III. WEST PART
- Left hand side : Sita, Rama’s wife was in the arm of Ravana in (Asoka) forest. She was surrounded by female demons with long beaks. One day Hanuman (monkey-god) visited her and told her about the idea of Rama, in the near future she will be liberated from Sri-lanka to Ayodhya.
The she gave Hanuman a ring that would prove to Rama the success.
- Center above the door : depicted Rama in the midst of the monkey, flanked by Laskhmana, in order to take (Vibhisana, demon monkey) who betrayed his older brother, so that to join the army of Rama.
- Right hand side : the return of Rama in the chariot that used to transport to Ayodhya after his victory. That chariot which fully and magnificently decorated drawn by the sacred swans, had been Kubera property and was stolen by Ravana.
- In the lower part : depicted the monkeys accompany the chariot and also show the monkeys merriment.
IV. NORTH PART
- Left hand side : a scene from the Ramayana: torture of Sita, wife of Rama when he doubts Sita’s fidelity on her return from Sri-lanka; she submits herself to trial by the fire in order to indicate her fidelity to Rama; when she was in the arm of Ravana at Sri-lanka; but finally she was unharmed because she could keep her fidelity to Rama.
- Center above the door : Rama and Laksmana attacked a demon (Viradha), who attempted to kidnap Sita.
- Right hand side : depicted the women’s quarters of a palace.
V. SOUTH PART
- Left hand side : a scene at the court of king (Janaka) and the rest of archery of which Rama is in the middle and become succeeded. On his right sits king Janaka and a priest with coiled hair, in front of Rama, Sita (was the daughter of king Janaka) at one side; beautifully dressed with her hair in 3 braids forming a coronet on her head and surrounded by her entourages. At the center shows Rama’s victory that is releasing the arrow on to a goal (a bird is perching on a wheel).
- Center above the door : Rama and Lakshmana fight against a demon called (Kambhanda) whose body is simple but had a gigantic head.
- Right hand side : god Vishnu with 4 arms who is receiving the homage paid by the flying Apsaras.
I. WEST GALLERY (North part, 52 meters long)
(Battle of Sri-lanka)
This scene is from Ramayana, is a long fierce struggle between (Rama and Ravana) that had 10
heads and 20 arms. The battle takes place in Sri-lanka and the end with the defeat of Ravana who kidnapped Sita as a hostage. The central figures are the monkey warriors who fight against the demons on the Rama’s side.
The brutality of war is juxtaposed with graceful rendition of the monkeys.
Central part: Rama was standing on the shoulders of (Hanuman or Surgriva) and surrounded by hail of arrows of the enemy; Lakshmana and Vibhisana both are standing quietly. The demon king Ravana with multiple arms and heads is in a richly decorated chariot drawn by griffins. Hanuman tries to come up to Ravana so that to grab his weapons. We see (Angata); son of Valin, tries to tear out the tusks of an elephant with 3 pointed headdresses, and Nila is buttressing on the heads of 2 lions. Finally, Rama gained the battle and Ravana was defeated (lost the war).
