Consider the following statements regarding Angkor Wat, recently seen ...
Angkor Wat temple, located in Cambodia, has defeated Pompeii in Italy to become the eighth Wonder of the World.
About Angkor Wat:
- It is the largest religious monument in the world.
- It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century.
- It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before becoming a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century.
- In 1992, the temple complex was named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Features:
- Sandstone blocks were used to build the structure.
- It is protected by a 15-foot high wall and a wide moat.
- It covers an area of 200 acres.
- The temple has five major towers symbolising the peaks of Mount Meru, believed to be the abode of the gods in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
- Thousands of bas-reliefs depicting important deities and figures in Hindu and Buddhist religions, as well as key events in their narrative traditions, adorn the temple walls.
- Where is Angkor Wat?
- It is located in the northwestern province of Siem Reap in Cambodia.
- The city of Angkor, home to Angkor Wat, was the capital of the Khmer Empire and thrived between the 9th and 15th centuries.
- Angkor itself stretched over 400km² and is now home to the magnificent remains of a variety of temples, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding Angkor Wat, recently seen ...
Explanation:
Angkor Wat:
- Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in Cambodia, not Thailand.
- It is the largest religious monument in the world, not just in terms of Hinduism or Buddhism, but overall.
- It was originally built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.
- However, over time, the religious affiliation of Angkor Wat changed and it eventually became a Buddhist temple.
- Today, it is considered a symbol of both Hinduism and Buddhism and is a popular tourist destination.
Statement 1:
"It is the largest religious monument in the world located in Thailand."
This statement is incorrect. As mentioned earlier, Angkor Wat is not located in Thailand but in Cambodia. Therefore, statement 1 is false.
Statement 2:
"It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before becoming a Buddhist temple."
This statement is correct. Angkor Wat was indeed originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. However, after the decline of the Khmer Empire, which built Angkor Wat, the temple gradually transitioned into a Buddhist site. Today, it is considered a place of worship for both Hindus and Buddhists. Therefore, statement 2 is true.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, only statement 2 is correct. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before becoming a Buddhist temple. However, statement 1 is incorrect as Angkor Wat is located in Cambodia, not Thailand. Therefore, the correct answer is option B - 2 only.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.