<P> Angkor Wat ( / ˌæŋkɔːr ˈwɒt / ; Khmer : អង្គរ វត្ត , `` Capital Temple '' ) is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world , on a site measuring 162.6 hectares ( 1,626,000 m ; 402 acres ) . It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire , gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century . It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura ( Khmer : យសោធរបុរៈ , present - day Angkor ) , the capital of the Khmer Empire , as his state temple and eventual mausoleum . Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings , Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu . As the best - preserved temple at the site , it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation . The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture . It has become a symbol of Cambodia , appearing on its national flag , and it is the country 's prime attraction for visitors . </P>
<P> Angkor Wat ( / ˌæŋkɔːr ˈwɒt / ; Khmer : អង្គរ វត្ត , `` Capital Temple '' ) is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world , on a site measuring 162.6 hectares ( 1,626,000 m ; 402 acres ) . It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire , gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century . It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura ( Khmer : យសោធរបុរៈ , present - day Angkor ) , the capital of the Khmer Empire , as his state temple and eventual mausoleum . Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings , Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu . As the best - preserved temple at the site , it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation . The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture . It has become a symbol of Cambodia , appearing on its national flag , and it is the country 's prime attraction for visitors . </P>
what was the original purpose of angkor wat
what was the original purpose of angkor wat
a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire
a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire