Beang Mealea is a temple from the size of Angkor Wat. It is about 70 km outside of Siem Reap and does not draw many tourists. It is surrounded by a large moat.
The area surrounding the temple was only cleared of landmines in Sept, 2007.
Another view of the moat around the temple complex.
A garuda head.
Another part of the moat. Since I was there during the rainy season, there was a lot of water and lush green vegetation everywhere.
The temple has not been restored at all. A great deal of the temple is now reduced to piles of huge stones and broken walls. Portions of Angeline Jolie's film Tomb Raider were filmed here. Other portions were filmed in Ta Prohm.
A remaining portion of a bridge connecting one internal part to another.
Common motif is a snake ending in a multiple headed lion or garuda. The snake would often extend a hundred meters lining the entrance to a temple.
These two kids were hanging around. They are lying on what remains from the snake motief.
Fallen stones and collapsed walls.
Carvings of religous figures.
Remains of one of the many buildings found in the interior portion of the temple.
Panoramic view.
In many ways, Beang Mealea is very similar in architecture to Angkor Wat.
Beang Mealea remains largely overrun by the jungle.
Again, the snake motief with multiple garuda heads.
A few kids who were playing on a raft on one part of the moat. Everywhere, Cambodian children and adults seem to love to be photographed.
The day I visited the temple was Pchum Ben, a very important Cambodian religious festival. It is called the festival of ancestors or the ghost festival, when families celebrate the memories of their dead ancestors. Families get together and after making offerings at the temple, they have festive dinners or pickniks.
