In transit

Two of the 40 heavenly devata on the walls of the east gopura of Angkor Wat

After my first-ever visit to the north gopura of the 4th enclosure, I headed to the opposite side of the sprawling Angkor Wat temple complex to visit the south gopura, also for the first-time, stopping briefly at the east gopura along the way. I literally jumped off the moto to snap a few pictures and will spend more time at this entranceway on my next visit to the temple. In the meantime, here's a few pictures of some of the delights awaiting you at the east gopura, often used as the back door to waiting transport for the hordes that file through the main temple each day. The forty devata at this gate are some of the best at Angkor Wat, rivalling the women on display around the central tower sanctuary at the very top of the temple. They are all crowned and their jewelry is abundant which would imply that this gate was used by powerful people and for important ceremonies in its heyday. To get a much better understanding of the important role played by the women on the walls of Angkor Wat, you must read Kent Davis' website Devata.org - absolutely fascinating stuff. My south gopura photos will follow later today.

This pediment at the east gateway shows Yama on his buffalo and two rows of worshippers

Two more of the devata at the east gopura of Angkor Wat

The mysterious devata of the east gopura, crowned and in pairs

Heavily decorated devata of the east gopura, with eyes and mouth open

A broken pediment on the ground shows a line of worshippers in prayer, probably from the lower register of the pediment