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The Bayon, is located at the physical center of Angkor Thom, the nine square kilometer or (three and a half square) mile city complex, and is the focal point of the building boom Jayavarman VII initiated after he defeated the Chams to reclaim the Khmer Empire.
The temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple; its primary deity is Avalokitshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Since this temple sits in the center of Angkor Thom, his state capital, this monument makes the entire capital a temple complex, with the walls of the city and the moat representing the outer mountain ranges and oceans of the mythical Hindu universe.
The architectural composition of the Bayon exudes grandness in every
aspect. Over 200 large faces carved in the 54 towers give this temple its majestic character, which at that time represents the 54 provinces in debated by scholars and some think they represent the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, in keeping with the Buddhist character of the temple, it is generally accepted that the four faces on each o the towers are images of King Jayavarman VII and signify the omnipresence of the King.
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