Ta Prohm: A Temple Amidst The Woods
A Lion Guarding The Crumbling Temple of Ta Prohm
Another well-known temple at The Angkor Archaeological Park is Ta Prohm. Partly thanks to Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’s movie which was filmed around this temple and brought to the world the mysterious atmosphere of this place with those picturesque large tree roots holding onto the ancient temple.
Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and dedicated for his mother. Therefore this temple contains a lot of images of female figures which symbolize his mother. Long after its abandonment, the temple was re-discovered by the French and left as it was found due to its unique blend with the nature. However, current restoration work blocks visitors from visiting some of the most famous sites of the temple. Nevertheless, it is still worth a visit.
Walking Deep Into The Woods
The Big Tree Actually Holds This Temple from Crumbling
Beautiful Relief
Another Section of The Temple Which Is Held Together by Tall Trees
Ruins Amidst An Intact Section of The Temple
A False Door
Related Posts: Angkor Wat: The Khmer Jewel and Pride, The Enigmatic Faces of Bayon, Cycling around Angkor Archaeological Park
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Those strong trees are phenomenal. Would you know their age?
I don’t know for sure, but I guess they date back to the 15th century when the temple was abandoned. So, I assume those trees are hundreds of years old. Incredible, aren’t they?
What kind of trees are they?
I hope this link can help answer your question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrameles_nudiflora
Their English name is “Strangler Tree”
Their Filipino name is Aya and Balite. There are others.
We heard they kill their host tree after assuming their forms. It think it is possible that they simply outlived their hosts after co-existing with them. That leaves a giant tree [the "Strangler"] with a hollow in it where host used to be, long gone dead, gone away decayed.
Stranglers must have grown very very old.
What SPECTACULAR images — I’m in awe of that big tree!
You have to see it with your own eyes to fully understand the scale. However, unfortunately some of the most picturesque spots are closed to the public due to restoration work.
My great grandfather left us journals of travels he made in his youth to middle ages of India and the Tibetan plateou; he had some images similiar to the ones like your photos show, and I now have to wonder if he found or duplicated drawings of the original explorers who found the sight.
Wow, your great grandfather was a true traveler! At that time, going to India and Tibet was much more difficult and challenging than today, I believe.
This place is stunning! It absolutely brings to me my knees–a sacred space married to nature. My partner and I have traveled a good bit in Asia–something I share in my blog. You might enjoy——
Kathy
In this ever-changing world and rapid modernization, it’s amazing to see something like that, isn’t it? I will surely look at your blog.
great
Omg these landscapes are so beautiful! I’m thirsty of travel
This is just a tiny dot in a world full of wonders
Great souvenirs from our trip to Thailand a few years ago… Ruines really have something similar from one country to another… being in Mexico! What is amazing is the communication they add with each other… Thanks. http://www.yudeandlola.com
I never realized how much I love ruins. Thanks for visiting!
Need more text to describe where it is etc
I will surely tell a bit more about it. Thanks for visiting!
That’s amazing. It’s great that the tree has kept the temple from falling apart all these years – such an interesting mix of the natural and the man-made. Thank you for sharing.
It’s an unlikely symbiosis, I guess
Thanks for dropping by!
This is, quite simply, amazing.
All the temples are truly amazing! You have to see if yourself. Thanks for dropping by!
Beautiful! Reminds me of the temple from Lost.
The TV series you mean? I’m trying to recall which episode but I think I forget it. Been quite a long time since I watched it.
i bet it was an amazing trip going there.
It was! Thanks.
Really amazing !
The temple is truly a wonder!
I’ve always wanted to go to Cambodia but haven’t yet had the chance. I look forward to reading your blog as you’ve been to a lot of places I have not ventured to….yet.
But you have also visited those places which I’m craving to visit, such as: Peru, Morocco, New Zealand
Thanks for dropping by!
Phenomenal photo’s! I would love to know where these were taken, thank you for posting these!
Thanks! Actually I can’t remember the exact location because I just wandered around the ruins. But Ta Prohm is not as huge as Angkor Wat, so I guess you can easily find those spots.
Love this! I went there last year…. brings back some great memories. The temples are a real masterpiece. Want to return badly!
Actually I haven’t seen all temples around Siem Reap, One place that I’m still curious about is Banteay Srei. Thanks for your lovely comment!
Banteay Srei was my second favorite temple (the first being Ta Prohm, although technically it’s not a temple). If you haven’t been, you should DEFINITELY go to a silk farm. They are amazing, and the tour is very informative.
I’ve heard about the silk farm, and from what I heard it is worth a visit. By the way, I intend to go to Siem Reap again in the future. Thanks for the information!
love the photos and article,hope to see the place one day.
Thanks! Greater Angkor area is indeed one of the places that you have to visit in your life.
I’ve link you to my blog.
Fantastic photos! I was at Angkor Wat a few months ago and also found Ta Prohm incredible…
Thanks! When you were there, have the restoration work begun?
Unfortunately yes! A shame that it wasn’t possible to see all of Angkor in its full glory but I suppose the restoration is worth it if it prevents it from all tumbling down!
What SPECTACULAR images — I’m in awe of that big tree!
The trees are huge and old! Thanks for your comment.
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Asia next February. Originally we were going to go to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand but decided to cut out Cambodia due to time. Do you think this is a mistake? I lived in Taiwan for 8 months and got the chance to go to Thailand but my boyfriend hasn’t been anywhere. Any recommendations on trip planning?
Great blog and congrats on getting freshly pressed!
Amanda
http://bullfrogsandbulldogs.wordpress.com/
How long will you go to Southeast Asia? I managed to go from Bangkok-Siem Reap-Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh City in 8 days. I was traveling alone anyway, and at some places I feel like I packed too many things only in 8 days. The trip is actually doable, but I really suggest taking longer time especially in Siem Reap. You must stay there at least for 3 days. But from what I experienced, I would say that I really enjoy my time in Cambodia. So, if possible, try to put Cambodia back on your itinerary
Thanks for the advice! We will be there for 3 weeks so maybe we will put it back on the list!
Amanda
http://bullfrogsandbulldogs.wordpress.com/
May I weigh in? I haven’t been to Ho Chi Minh city but I suggest going to Hanoi, Vietnam. Amazing city! It’s very touristy… might enjoy going to the temple of literature.
Cambodia is definitely worth visiting… maybe skip Phnom Penh and go straight to siem reap. the temples took us 2 days to visit (to be honest, they ARE beautiful but pretty much all the same so you can skip one or two and aren’t missing much.) You should also go to an Apsara dancing show in Siem Reap. hope you enjoy!
I agree. In Vietnam, Hanoi is certainly worth visiting. From there, I’d suggest an overnight boat tour of Halong Bay. It’s absolutely spectacular! We also enjoyed Hoi An. We too were short of time so we skipped Phnom Penh and only did Siem Reap in Cambodia. It was well worth it! We hired a tuk tuk driver for one day & saw all the temples & ruins we wanted.You can read about our travels & see pictures on my blog at edebock.wordpress.com. Check Dec. 2008 – Jan. 2009 for this trip.
Some travelers that I met also say that Hanoi is also worth a trip. You can go to Halong Bay also.
Fascinating. The trees look like they flowed downward from the sky instead of up from the ground.
I myself also imagined how those trees end up growing from the temple that way. Thanks for dropping by!
The intermingling of nature and human made structure is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.
Man-made structure being in harmony with the nature, how beautiful is that? Thanks for dropping by!
This has to be one of the most beautiful images I’ve seen. What an incredible experience! Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope to learn more.
Thanks for your great comment!
Amazine set of images! Ta Prohm is definitely on my list of things to see and do now! Also, correct me if I am wrong…but wasn’t it used for both the Indiana Jones movie and also the poor Tomb Raider one too…as a location set??
I remember Indiana Jones’ 1st movie was filmed on a temple, but I guess that’s a Mayan/Aztec temple. I’m not so sure either about this. Thanks for visiting!
It’s incredible how the tree has become a part of the temple. Great photos!
True it is. Thanks for your comment!
Wow! These trees are what everyone else has already said…amazing! Was the temple built into the tree or did it just end up growing that way?
http://tehcatspajamas.wordpress.com/
No, the temple was built just like other temple. But amazingly, when it was abandoned, those trees started growing from inside the temple. How fascinating is that?
Whoa. That’s very fascinating!
This is amazing. I really want to visit one day. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for dropping by!
Amazing and fascinating!
Thanks for your lovely comment!
Nature is such an opportunist!
Haha nice thought!
WOW!
Great shots and story. Congrats on the Freshly Pressed …well deserved.
John
Hi John, thanks a lot! I learned a lot from you, though.
WOW! So stunning! I would love to travel to such a remote an interesting place…I feel it would be very esoterically touching…
Going to far away places indeed brings up that kind of feeling. Thanks!
Too cool, and awesome photos! I especially like the fourth one, tall trees are awesome to look at. Its amazing how these things have lasted a long time.
Great post!
Edwin
http://awkwardlist.com
Thanks a bunch!
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Phenomenal photos! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Thank you very much!
wohoooooo congrats for freshly pressed, you really deserve it!!!!!
:):)):) DAKOTA
Many many thanks Dakota! This still surprises me, really.
What a peaceful place! Thank you for sharing!
It would be more peaceful if you go there at dawn before groups of tourists come. Thanks for dropping by!
So beautiful! You are so lucky to be able to go there!
Thanks and indeed I am. I feel so lucky to be able to visit this great site. You should go there one day!
wonderful, i will surely check out your blog too. some shares are really worth sharing. this is one of them. cheers.
Thanks a lot for your nice comment!
Wow…this is stunning! Great post, congrats on being freshly pressed. That’s a huge honor. I’ll definitely be adding this to my bucket list..you can see it here:
http://howficklemyheart.wordpress.com/30-before-30/
It is truly an honor. Thanks for visiting!
Awesome! I’m in the middle of planning on my next trip… the world’s way too big and awesome to make it an easy choice, but this helps bump Cambodia up a bit
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
I can relate to your feeling. When I’m imagining going RTW one day, it would be waaay to hard for me to choose which places to go, since there are so many of them. Thanks for visiting!
That would be amazing to see in person. Great pics!
Thanks!
This looks incredible! Wow, I would LOVE to do a photo shoot with that as a setting. Amazing.
I can say that it is one of the most photogenic places in Cambodia. Thanks for dropping by!
Wow, how amazing!
This is awesome!
Have to mention that I`m a fan of nature and old arhitecture…the rest comes from itself.
Me too actually! Thanks for visiting.
Just….WAW!!! Dat tree!!! :O
I know. Amazing, isn’t it?
amazing that you can walk among them freely
It’s an indescribable! Since I love old ruins, then I love the atmosphere being among one of them.
Amazing, this reminds me of Indiana Jones movies. your lucky to be able to visit these great places.
Very true! Going to such places (especially when there are not too many tourists) always make me feel like Indy!
If that tree holding up the temple isn’t one giant metaphor, I don’t know what is. Lovely photographs of a lovely place!
Thanks for your nice comment!
that is amazing! you see places like this in movies, but always assume they’re kind of built for the scene…hard to imagine that they’re real places where real people once lived/worshiped/etc. thanks for sharing!
http://www.icouldntmakethisshitup.wordpress.com
I always imagine how people lived in such places. It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
I like your presentation of it.
Crazy beautiful! I just added this place to my bucket list as a must see!! Thank you for sharing!!
http://thediaryofsugarandspice.wordpress.com/
Thanks for visiting!
As incredible as this place is the Cambodian government need to start limiting the amount of visitors a year or do a better job on preventative maintenance because Ta Prohm is starting to crumble. I couldn’t believe they allow the entire Tomb Raider crew to go on location there, what we all do for money right?
I was there in May, 2011 and the reconstruction project that was going on at the time ruined the beauty of this architectural mecca. Definitely a Catch 22 scenario going on all throughout the Angkor Complex.
Visit my Cambodia set to see more photos of Ta Prohm and the other temples.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/colinroohan/sets/72157626318719493/
For a poor country like Cambodia, it seems like they don’t have many choices. Probably Angkor Wat is their biggest source of income, therefore they never put any limitation in terms of the number of visitors visiting this place. However, when I was there, all major temples (and some smaller ones) were undergoing serious restoration work. I hope it’s for the benefit for all.
Absolutely stunnng! Thank you for sharing – I’m so glad this made FP and found its way onto my screen – beautiful!
Thanks for visiting! I’m glad you enjoy it.
very interesting
Beautiful pics….I “shared” on FB
Thanks a lot for sharing this to your friends!
Wow fantastic temple, great post and amazing photos!
It looks like such a beautiful and majestic place!
It truly is! Thanks.
Hello Bama – what a great place here – I am still dreaming of a visit there. Your photos are great – I must stop here again for a closer look at your blog
Hi Truels, thanks for visiting! I’m glad you enjoy it.
Congrats for being Freshly Pressed! I was also there in Angkor Wat last June with friends. In the very early morning of our second day there (at 5am), we went to Ta Phrom. Oh my! It was a very cold morning, we could feel cold air reaching our lungs. While walking that path leading to the site (the 2nd photo you posted), it was still dark and we heard numerous crickets nearby. So eerie, it felt like something would snatch you from behind! Viewing your photo(s) now, I remembered that trip. Thanks!
Thanks! I went to Ta Prohm around 9 or 10 am if I’m not mistaken, because in the morning I went to Bayon first. I like the feeling when I walked deeper into the woods while imagining what awaits me.
I saw this and immediately thought of Laura Croft. Beautiful pictures.
Haha the movie set is indeed memorable.
Kind of magical… beautiful.
Congrats for being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks a lot!
Wow, those images are beautiful. I’m definitely getting the travel bug again, and I’m due out to Oslo in a few days!
Great site you have here, I’ll be sure to keep checking it! And I’ll be sure to visit Angkor Wat in the future with my girlfriend.
With regards,
Angel
Oh I really want to visit Norway one day! I want to see the fjords with my very own eyes. By the way, thanks for dropping by! Really appreciate it.
I just shared this post through my G+
https://plus.google.com/105790659468398173043/posts/CVpWD8TS9su
Really really appreciate it! Thanks a bunch!
What kind of deep-seated human experience memories does this place trigger? Has anyone made any major life-changing decisions here or after visiting? It probably brings a lot of people a greater sense of higher reality.
oh those trees are so cool looking
And worth visiting!
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Absolutely beautiful! The place looks so surreal, almost like something you would read about in a fairytale. I can see why the French left it as is… and certainly glad they did!
Thank you for sharing.
Some things are better left as it is, right? Thanks for your lovely comment!
I was going to say it looks like something out of a video game and then turns out it was filmed in a video game movie haha, pretty sweet though, wish I could visit all the places like this in the world just once to see them in real life.
Haha perfect set for a video game, isn’t it? so many other exotic places all over the world.
Spiritual Trees!!!
Actually, the Strangler Fig is crushing the temple, just like it has to most of Angkor Thom.
You may want to read my blog, The Ta Prohm Strangler http://travelpenandpalate.com/2011/03/30/the-ta-prohm-strangler/
You’re right the trees belong to the Strangler family. In the Philippines they were [still are] considered untouchable tree by tribesmen. Sort of eerie, holy, respected.
This is an interesting information because what I’ve read from some sources which I can’t remember said otherwise. I will surely find more information about this. Thanks a lot for your input! very much appreciated.
The place is beautiful but it has an eerie feeling to it. Kinda scary.
You’re not the first person to say that it has an eerie feeling to it. Maybe I should go back there and visit the place early at dawn to get a better experience.
wow, beautiful!
nice….
Wow. Amazing!
Romel
Indonesia
Http://tranparamole.multiply.com
looks like the Temple from Lost. great photos
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
I think now I remember the scene in which the temple is filmed in Lost. Thanks!
where is this temple located?
It’s in Cambodia, near a city called Siem Reap.
that’s wonderful temple,, where it is???
but, our have have another wonderful temle in INDONESIA,, like BOROBUDUR temple and many others,,
heheheh
It’s in Cambodia. Actually you can also read my stories about Indonesian temples. Go to Country/Continent on the right side and click ‘Indonesia’. Find the post there.
Beautiful photos! Hope you enjoy your stay in Cambodia. Will you be in Phnom Penh or just stopping in Siem Reap?
http://summerinsea.wordpress.com
Thanks! I went there about 2 weeks ago, and I also visited Phnom Penh (I will post a story about Phnom Penh later).
wow, this is so amazing!!!
True! Definitely a must-see place.
A lot for the imagination of the past. The trees on temples are of the Strangler family. Their fruits provide good food for birds. They can grow anywhere from birds’ droppings. In the forests their chances of survival is when they grow on trees, to get their share of sunlight better than when they start on the ground. They have aerial roots that find their way to the ground. They take the form of the host tree killing the host in the end.
Thanks for the enlightment!
Just dropped by to to have a little peek at somewhat made nations clashed at their border was it between Myanmar and Vietnam?
I don’t think Myanmar and Vietnam share border. Probably it’s Thailand and Cambodia that you read.
Right. Thailand and Myanmar.
Stunning photos, the temple is magnificent and your shots are wonderful. Nature is awesome!
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it.
Wow, I love the pictures of the trees holding the temples together! It just looks amazing and just so cool.
Thanks for reading!
Such incredibly beautiful photos! Very evocative!
http://sharonstjoan.wordpress.com/category/india/
Thanks for your kind comment!
How big trees and ruins!
I love them.(ăƒ¼Ï‰ăƒ¼)
I bet you will.
These are remarkable. Thank you for posting them. A place I’ll never be able to visit so thank you for bringing the images and sense of the place to me. The guardian, the trees, the statues….mmmmmmm
Nothing is impossible and thanks for your nice comment
Nice post.. Wish i could travel to places like these
More and more budget airlines are available nowadays. You’ll make it! Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for adding to my future travel bucket list!! Great photos, I love the textures of the old stone ruins!
I’m glad you enjoy it!
interesing and fascinating!
http://huhu22.blogbaker.com/
http://www.27my.com/
This is realy fantastic…I had never imagined that a tree cud hold up such big structure…and females statues are artistic..i thought that such female figurines cud be seen only in south Indian temples…Outstanding!!!!
Ta Prohm is indeed fascinating. Thanks!
Asia is beautiful, and I’m proud of it.
Proud to be Asian!
Thanks for dropping by!
wow….great picture
that’s what i want to know in history lesson..
haha
Haha, you’re not the only one. I got some friends just like you.
” …Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and dedicated for his mother. …” —> there was a relationship to Indonesian culture and history. The name “Jayayarman” wrote in ancient Indonesia history as “Jayawarman” .
Thank you very much.
Actually they share the same root: Hinduism. Any name which ends with -warman or -varman is a typical Hindu name.
What a wonderful magical place. I’m longing to get an opportunity to visit Asia – and have countless places on my list of “must visit” – just added another one to potential travel plans
Congratulations on getting Freshly Pressed!
Asia has so many to offer, and my must-visit list has gone very long
Thanks!
Wow. This is amazing.
Cambodia is one trip I’ve wanted to make for years. I’m in love with ruins lost in the middle of nature.
This again confirms and strenghten my desire to travel and visit the place.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures.
I’m glad to be able to strengthen your spirit. We share the same passion towards ruins!
wow lovely pics…
Do you have to go on a tour to see these temples? or can you walk freely to them?
I didn’t take a tour. My next post will be about how I visited these places. Stay tuned!
They are remarkable pictures. Thanks Bama for posting these pictures! I think everyone should visit there for their memory.
I love the pictures of nature silently dropping in something man has made. But this isn’t silent anymore- it is powerful and strong, and a way of holding on together. A wonderful image, thank you for posting!
Thanks! Glad you enjoy it.
Lovely photos! We were in Siem Reap in 2007 & Ta Prohm was my favourite of all the temples definitely. We’d love to go back soon to Cambodia!
I will also visit Cambodia again in the future! Thanks for dropping by!
ABSOLUT GREAT
good Ta Prohm
Such a wonderful place!
If you visit Thailand again, just try to see one temple in Samut Songkhram province. Its name Wat Bang Kung, the main temple (chapel) was built more than 200 years ago and covered by roots of local banyan trees. It’s amazing as well.
Thanks for the info! Very much appreciate it. I think I will visit Thailand again in the future.
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Wow. When I think of Angkor, this is what comes to mind. Beautiful photos and congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
I’m looking forward to reading through your other entries, it looks like you’ve just had quite the adventure!
PS let me know if you ever need any advice on Hong Kong, I’d be more than happy to help.
Thanks James! I still have some posts to be uploaded about my travel to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam two weeks ago.
Speaking of HK, I will go there in January. I guess I can ask for your advice before going there
Awesome images! thank you for sharing and congratulations on FP!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
These are amazing photos… I especially like the two with trees growing on the temple and wall. It must have been incredible to visit here!
It was incredible! I am still curious though, how it feels if I go to this place without groups of tourists around. My senses tickle me
Hello, Bama.
I like your pictures!
I love the informations about his travels too.
Congratulations!
Rachel (SĂ£o Paulo/ Brasil)
amazing pictures! great place for traveling.
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Very very big tree and fantastic. I hope someday can go there.
I surely wish you will.
It’s amazing how the passage of time can take what was once new and incorporate it into the surrounding world. It looks as though that tree was always part of the temple.
And now it truly is a part of the temple.
These pictures are beautiful! I love visiting places like this; they’re so serene.
Thanks! we share the same interest then.
AMAZING!
I would love to visit. I always assumed the Lara Croft temples were either CGI or sets! They are indeed gorgeous pivcs. Thanks for sharing them with us.
They are very real! Thanks for dropping by!
I’m considering visiting here next month as a side trip from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This is definitely making me lean towards going! Absolutely brilliant post. I love the photo in the woods….looks so peaceful.
That’ll be great! You shouldn’t miss The Angkor temples when you’re visiting Southeast Asia. Thanks for your nice comment!
Wonderful pictures. The trees look like deep sea creatures trying to eat the temples.
Hmm nice imagination! Never thought of that. LOL.
Thanks for visiting!
That is beautiful. I remember a documentary on Discovery about Angkor I saw a few years ago. Its fascinating how a city can be quite literally swallowed up by the jungle.
Men cleared the forest to built the temple. When men left, nature took over. How cool is that?
Wow!! Thanks for sharing, you made my day:)
Thanks! I’m glad you like it.
What a spectacular place! Thanks for the photos!! It just goes to show no matter how hard humans try and out do nature or destroy it, it has the ultimate power! Go Mother Earth!! I really hope to venture there myself one of these days! It would be great if you included some information about how travellers can get to this destination, and some personal information about your day there!
Thanks for your comment!
I went there from Siem Reap by bicycle (you can read about it in one of my posts)
Gorgeous pictures, I would really love to visit places like this and take my own photographs!
beautiful. would be incredible if they let you go inside. but that doesnt look too safe
I really want to go inside, but I can understand what they’re doing. It’s for the sake of the temple itself, so, that makes me less disappointed
I was just thinking to plan a trip to this place and then I saw your blog. Beautiful pictures!
Thanks and it is indeed a worth visiting place!
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Wow – lots of comments! Nice post, Bama!
Thanks Phil!