Roots, Rock, Reggae

Angkor Archeological Site 3

Ta Prohm
Constructed by King Jayavarman VII in mid-12th century (from 1186) - it was one of his 1st temple construction projects and was dedicated to his mother.


"Ta Prohm's state of ruin is a state of beauty"

It is the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor- unlike other monuments at Angkor it has been swallowed by the jungle and has been largely left untouched by archaeologists. It looks very much the way most of the monuments at Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

Only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth, it has been intentionally left partially unrestored- massive fig, banyan and kapok trees grow from the towers and corridors, twist and spread their roots over, under and in-between stones-

while bas-reliefs are covered with lichen, moss, and creeping plants

And as I was told 763 times during my visit to the site, scenes from the movie Tomb Raider were filmed here- apparently this doorway played an important part (but I wouldn't know as I have never seen the film)

"everywhere around you, you see Nature in its dual role of destroyer and consoler; no sooner splitting the carved stones asunder than she dresses their wounds with cool, velvety mosses and binds them with her most delicate tendrils; a conflict of moods so contradictory and feminine as to prove once more- if proof were needed- how well "Dame" Nature merits her feminine title" HW Ponder