Was Angkor Wat always a Buddhist temple?

Posted on Oct 16, 2025 / Travel

Was Angkor Wat always a Buddhist temple?

That's a common misconception! Angkor Wat was actually built as a Hindu temple in the early 12th century, dedicated to the god Vishnu. As the Khmer Empire transitioned, it was later converted into a Buddhist temple by the late 12th century. The result is a unique blend of religious symbolism and carvings that you can see throughout the complex.



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