Baphuon

The Baphuon is a significant Buddhist temple located within the ancient city of Angkor Thom, in Cambodia. It is distinguished by its construction on an artificial hill, earning it the moniker "golden mountain" (svarnādrī). Originally consecrated to the Hindu deity Shiva in the mid-11th century, the temple was later converted to Theravada Buddhism. Its architecture is considered the archetype of the Baphuon style, characterized by extensive and intricate carvings that adorn nearly every available surface.

History and Construction

Built as the state temple of Suryavarman I (1010–1050 CE), the Baphuon is a three-tiered temple mountain. Recent scientific dating has placed its construction much earlier than previously believed, associating it definitively with Suryavarman I's reign. The temple measures approximately 120 by 100 meters at its base and stands about 34 meters tall, excluding its original tower. The sheer scale and grandeur of the Baphuon impressed foreign visitors, such as Zhou Daguan, an envoy from Temür Khan's court in the late 13th century, who described it as a "Tower of Bronze."

Religious and Structural Transformations

Over time, the Baphuon underwent significant modifications. French scientists have dated Theravada Buddhist alterations to approximately a century before the conventional 16th-century estimation. A notable change was the construction of a large reclining Buddha statue, measuring 9 meters high and 70 meters long, on the west side's second level. This addition likely necessitated the demolition of the 8-meter tower above it to provide building materials. The temple's foundation, built on sand, contributed to its historical instability, with large portions collapsing even before the Buddha was added.

Restoration Efforts

By the 20th century, much of the Baphuon had fallen into disrepair. A massive restoration project, employing the technique of anastylosis (dismantling for structural reinforcement and reassembly), was initiated but abandoned in 1970 due to the outbreak of civil war. This left approximately 300,000 carefully labeled blocks scattered, with their identifying plans lost during the subsequent conflict and Khmer Rouge regime.

A second, monumental restoration effort began in 1996 under the guidance of architect Pascal Royère. This project, widely described as the "largest 3D jigsaw puzzle in the world," took 16 years to complete. The temple was formally reopened on July 3, 2011, with dignitaries including King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and Prime Minister François Fillon of France in attendance, marking the culmination of 51 years of combined restoration work.