"Jungle Wrapped Ta Prohm" Angkor Thum Things to Do Tip by atufft

Actually situated a 1/2 mile east of Angkor Thum proper, Ta Prohm remains a favorite among visitors. Considerably smaller than the Bayon, which it most resembles in style, Ta Prohm's integration into jungle is most pronounced and a major cause for it's decay over the century. Tree roots are a cause for destruction at several temples, but the vertical stack method of construction here invites a particular vertical descent of roots and ultimate split of the stones from one another as is seen in several of my photos. Ta Prohm, means "old Brahma", but the original purpose of the architecture was as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery. Ta Prohm was one of King Jayavarman VII's many constructions during the late 12th and early 13th century, after a victorious defeat of the Cham invaders. In addition to serving as a monastery, this was the administrative and distributional center for a system of hospitals created by the good kingm, and though the buildings appear diminutive, some 12,500 took up residence here.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta_Prohm