Angkor Wat ( or "Capital Temple") is a temple complex in
Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world, with site measuring 162.6 hectares (1,626,000 sq meters). It was originally constructed as a
Hindu temple for the
Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a
Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12th century. It was built by the
Khmer King
Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in
Yasodharapura (, 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 center 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.