Cambodia: Ta Prohm temple near Tonle Bati, south of Phnom Penh (2002)

The laterite temple of Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII on top of an earlier 6th century Khmer shrine. The result is a well-preserved gem of a temple, not unduly large, but with some splendid decorative features. The main sanctuary has five chambers, in each of which is a statue or a Shiva lingam. Jayavarman VII (1125-1215) was a king (reigned c.1181-1215) of the Khmer Empire at Angkor. Cambodia. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II (r. 1150-1160) and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. He married Jayarajadevi and then, after her death, married her sister Indradevi. The two women are commonly thought to have been a great inspiration to him, particularly in his unusual devotion to Buddhism, as only one prior Khmer king had been a Buddhist. Photographer: David Henley