The Bayon Temple, which was constructed during Jayavarman VII’s reign, is unique as it is the only Buddhist state temple and the last to be built in the Angkor Empire (also sometimes called the Khmer Empire).

Constructed in the heart of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple was intended to represent Mt. Meru on earth. To enter the royal city and gain access to the temple, visitors in the past and present are required to traverse bridges or causeways that pierce the city’s fortified walls.

The central tower served as the sanctuary of the Bayon Temple and originally housed a monumental sandstone sculpture of the Buddha seated on the serpent Muchalinda. The sanctuary is further surrounded by towers and pavilions that are topped with sculptures of three or four-smiling faces.

There are many reasons why the Bayon Temple is an enigma. The first is the name of the temple, or rather our lack of knowledge of how people referred to the temple during its time of use.