Architecture

Architectural Layout
Unlike Angkor Wat, which look impressive from all angles, the Bayon
Looks rather like a glorified pile of rubble from a distance. It’s only when You enter the temple and make your way up to the third level that it magic becomes apparent. the basic structure of the Bayon is a simple three levels, which correspond more or less to three distinct phases of building. This is because Jayavarman
VII began construction of this temple at an advanced age, so was never con- fident it would be completed. Each time one phase was completed, he moved
on to the next. The first two levels are square and adorned with bas-reliefs.
They lead up to a third, circular level, with the towers and their faces.

Bas-Reliefs
Bayon is decorated with a total of 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating
more than 11,000 figures. The famous carvings on the outer wall of
the first level depict vivid scenes of everyday life in 12th-century Cambodia.
The bas-reliefs on the second level do not have the epic proportions of those
on the first level and tend to be fragmented. The reliefs described are those
east and view the reliefs in a clockwise direction.

CHAMS ON THE RUN
Just south of the east gate is a three-level panorama. On the first tier, khmer
soldiers march off to battle; check out the elephants and the ox carts, which
are almost exactly like those still used in Cambodia today. The second tier
depicts the coffins being carried back from the battlefield. In the centre of
the third tier, Jayavarman VII, shaded by parasols, is shown on horseback
followed by legions of concubines (to the left).

LINGA WORSHIP
The first panel north of the southeastern corner shows Hindus praying to a
linga (phallic symbol). The image was probably originally a Buddha, later
modified by a Hindu king.

NAVAL BATTLE
The next panel has some of the best-carved reliefs. The scenes depict a navel
battle between the Khmers and the Chams (the latter with lead coverings)
and everyday life around Tonle sap Lake, where the battle was fought. Look
for images of people picking lice from each other’s hair, of hunters and, towards the western end of the panel, a woman giving birth.

THE CHAMS VANQUISHED
In the next panel, scenes from daily life continue and the battle shifts
to the shore where the Chams are soundly thrashed. Scenes include two
people playing chess, a cockfight and woman selling fish in the market
The scenes of meals being prepared and served are in celebration of the
Khmer victory.

MILITARY PROCESSION
The last section of the south gallery, depicting a military procession, is
unfinished, as is the panel showing elephants being led down from the
mountains. Brahmans have been chased up two trees by tigers.

CIVIL WAR
This panel depicts scenes that some scholars maintain is a civil war.
Groups of people, some armed, confront each other, and the violence
escalates until elephants and warriors join the melee.

THE ALL-SEEING KING
The fighting continues on a smaller scale in the next panel. An antelope is
being swallowed by a gargantuan fish; among the smaller fish is a prawn,
under which an inscription proclaims that king will seek out those
in hiding.

VICTORY PARADE
This panel depicts a procession that includes the king (carrying a bow).
Presumably it is a celebration of his victory.

THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN
At the western corner of the northern wall is a khmer circus. A strong
man holds three dwarfs, and a man on his back is spinning a wheel with
his feet; above is a group of tightrope walkers. To the right of the circus,
the royal court watches from a terrace, below which is a procession of
animals. Some of the reliefs in this section remain unfinished.