what is angkor wat?
Angkor Wat is the the largest religious monument in the world and it is located in Cambodia. Angkor flourished from the 9th century to the 15th century. It originally started as a Hindu temple and then gradually turned into a Buddhist temple near the end of the 12th century. It was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his temple and eventually his tomb, but many historians think otherwise. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was dedicated instead to Vishnu. At the moment it is located in the region where Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Burma are found. It has become the symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag also as it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.