Look familiar? If you have ever visited Angkor Wat you stood right here, on the Cruciform Platform before entering the temple from the West. In the real photo at the bottom, did you notice the scaffold on the right side of the central tower, 20 stories above the Cambodian jungle...? Stay tuned!

Siem Reap, Cambodia – If you’re lucky enough to travel to the jungles of Cambodia, the temple of Angkor Wat will take your breath away. Scientists are still speculating how an engineering feat of this magnitude was accomplished nearly 1,000 years ago. Then there’s the mystery of 1,780 angelic Khmer women portrayed in elaborate detail, dominating every level of the monument…

One company is using digital 3D technology to make Angkor Wat, and other extraordinary monuments around the world, as accessible as your home computer. Vizerra now offers virtual tours of Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, Tatev Monastery and Old Town Square in Prague, with virtual visits to many other landmarks on the way.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what about reality?

These images show Vizerra’s 3D reality next to digital photos of Angkor Wat. I took them with a Pentax K20D digital camera using a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 Aspherical Macro Lens (more appropriate for devata portraits). Naturally, perspective and depth of field will cause minor variations but the 3D renderings only few significant technical errors, noted below.

The point is that I captured the 3D  images while “walking” around the virtual Angkor Wat that Vizerra built. The program has a handy image capture function built right in so you can save any view that you like. Vizerra plans to continue increasing  their level of detail, interactivity and information for each world heritage site that they digitize.

Can an ice cold virtual Angkor beer at the concession stands be far behind?

This view greets you walking directly north from Angkor Wat's south gate. And the technical error? The 3D stairs in the outer perimeter wall appear slightly to the left, instead of to the right. A true mistake, or an illusion of photography? Email your photos to settle this question.

View from the northwest, walking from the concession stands (I actually couldn't wait for Vizerra to invent the "virtual ice cold Angkor beer." Sorry.)

This view of Angkor Wat is looking East just north of the Cruciform Platform.

People began calling these buildings "libraries" more than 100 years ago. No one knows what they really were. This structure is surrounded by 46 devata images. The 3D rendering repairs the west portico, and seems to truncate the structure's true shape.

The view east from the platform of Angkor Wat's north "library."

The temple of Angkor Wat is a study of balance in the universe. Therefore, there is also a south "library" and this is this view from its platform toward the east. The south libary, however, only has 20 devata portraits. A work in progress, or a more exclusive club? Join the research and help us understand the truth.

Climbing up from the Cruciform Galleries, you arrive at the second level of Angkor Wat facing east with the stairs to the highest level in front of you. The Vizerra 3D rendering removes the unattractive restoration scaffolding to let visitors enjoy the entire structure.

A dramatic view of the southwest tower of Angkor Wat's top level from the courtyard of the second level. The top level is home to more than 400 devata. The outside walls are surrounded by 201 devata. Inside, there are 126 more, with 64 surrounding the holiest inner circle of the central tower itself. Dozens more, as yet not part of Devata.org's inventor, grace the tower tops.

View from the Top of Angkor Wat

To me, this was the most extraordinary proof of Vizerra’s quality. In November 2009, a temporary restoration scaffold gave me access to a view that only a handful of people have seen in the past millenneum…a view that even even the mighty King Suryarvarman II who built this masterpiece had probably never witnessed.

Kent Davis unveiling "Angkor the Magnificent" by Titanic survivor Helen Churchill Candee at the top of Angkor Wat in November 2008.

I was briefly allowed access to unveil DatAsia’s newest historical publication Angkor the Magnificent, but I also took the time to snap a few photos of the panoramic view, twenty stories above the jungle. Imagine my surprise when Vizerra effortlessly took me to that same location to duplicate the architectural accuracy of that same priceless view!

The three comparison photos below show how close Viezerra’s virtual reality has come to the real experience.

So the question is…would you like to experience Angkor Wat? You can be there in just a few minutes.

From the central tower this is the view to the southwest. Vizerra did not include the Buddhist temple that was later built just outside the perimeter walls of Angkor Wat.

A spectacular view west-southwest from the top of the central tower at Angkor Wat. The southwest tower of the quincunx is visible at left with the south library of the third level just visible behind the tower. Directly ahead, gazing over the Cruciform Galleries we see the exterior north and south libraries with the West Gopura, entry temple to Angkor Wat, in the distance.

Northwest view from the top of Angkor Wat. Again, Vizerra did not recreate the modern Buddist temple or concession stands that now stand to the right of the reflecting pool.

Article and photos © Copyright 2009 Kent Davis - High resolution images are available for republication by educational organizations at no charge.

Aerial view of the top level of Angkor Wat at dawn with Vizerra's virtual tour software.

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Internet users can now visit Angkor Wat and other world famous landmarks in highly-detailed 3D tours on the educational portal Vizerra.com, a website created by 3DreamTeam. Company founder, CEO and world traveler, Arman Gukasyan, has long been fascinated by the Khmer civilization. After seeing Angkor Wat in person he was inspired to share his experience as one of Vizerra’s first virtual tours.

Vizerra’s tour of Angkor Wat is now available to download free of charge. It begins with a narrated tour and breathtaking aerial views of this architectural wonder of the world. Visitors can then explore the temple, including interior passages, in high-resolution 3D by either walking or flying.

Vizerra's view of Angkor Wat approaching from the southwest by air.

Angkor Wat’s famous bas reliefs, pediments and devata are now only included for artistic effect, but adding that level of detail accurately seems possible within the near future, especially as Vizerra offers more sophisticated products for educational institutions. A July 2009 press conference in Prague states that Vizerra offers “the world`s first educational software application to that allows users to download and tour 3D models of famous and historically remarkable locations in revolutionary quality, with editorial descriptions and fully-functional Google Maps service.”

Vizerra tour location projects - 08/2009

National Geographic Russia worked with 3DreamTeam to create the first three virtual locations of Angkor Wat, the Incan Empire city of Macchu Picchu and India’s Taj Mahal. Interest in their technology is attracting new partners from around the world. With the help of Czech Republic associates, 3DreamTeam has just introduced its newest tour of  the Old Town Square in Prague.

Every destination includes a professionally narrated introductory tour and other selected information. Destinations under development with 3DreamTeam partners now include: the Orthodox Church of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Ukraine), Swayambuthnath Stupa (Nepal), the medieval Kölner Dom Cathedral (Cologne). St Mark’s Square (Venice) and the New Jerusalum Monestary (Russia).

This 300+ meg download is well worth the time if your bandwidth allows. Vizerra offers the best virtual tour experiences available worldwide. So what are you waiting for…visit Angkor Wat today!

Additional photos of the Vizerra 3D virtual tour of Angkor Wat:

Vizerra's view west toward Angkor Wat walking on the elevated causeway.

Vizerra's classic view of Angkor Wat reflecting in the north pool. CLICK TO SEE HIGHER RESOLUTION IMAGE

Vizerra's view at the northwest corner of Angkor Wat. CLICK TO SEE HIGHER RESOLUTION IMAGE.

The Vizerra virtual tour of Angkor Wat now includes devata, pediments, and bas reliefs for artistic effect. Future technology may allow carvings to be represented in precise detail and scientifically accurate locations.

Vizerra's view to Angkor Wat's top level, from the southwest corner of the second level courtyard.

Next we travel to Angkor Wat starting with a view across the rainbow bridge and proceeding to the top of the temple. The narrator accurately conveys information about the temple’s connection to Vishnu, the bas relief carvings and the story of the Churning of the Sea of Milk depicted on the east wall.

Next he focuses on the devata, calling them asparas, celestial nymphs, and characterizing them as escorts to the gods and king.

Next he travels outside to describe Angkor Wat as a model of the universe with beautiful scenes in the green gardens, evidently shot during the wet months from August to October.

Treasures of the Khmer Empire – Angkor Wat - (6:00)

Treasures of the Khmer Empire – King Jayavarman VII - (5:50)

This part opens with a helicopter flight around Angkor Wat and a discussion about the Cham invasion of Angkor following the death of Suryavarman II. But all was not lost and around 1,185 Jayavarman VII ascended the throne and built the city of Angkor Thom.

Jayavarman also changed the state religion from Hinduism to Buddhism and began building temples, such as the Bayon which is examined in great detail.

The Hindu snake goddess Naga Kanya

Graham Hancock is a proponent of unconventional theories about an ancient civilization that disseminated a sophisticated religion of ground-sky dualism and a “science” of immortality. His main concept is that many ancient sites -  the pyramids of Mexico and Egypt, the temple of Angkor Wat, the Yonaguni stuctures in the Pacific, and megaliths in Bolivia and Peru are geodetically situated to guide us to a “lost civilization or ‘invisible college’ of astronomer-priests”.

Hancock argues that the mathematical and architectural evidence at these sites indicates a gnosis, or body of knowledge, that will allow humanity to defeat mortality, a paradigm in which the “knowledge-giving serpent of Eden” is not a villain but a hero. The Khmer civilization is also infused with serpent mythology: a female “nagini,” daughter of the King of the Nagas, is one of the legendary progenitors of the Khmer race.

The 15 minute introduction to this video is presented here primarily for it’s beautiful images of Khmer temples. And it’s always interesting to consider new ideas.

Stones in the Sky – Part 1 (7:00)

Stones in the Sky – Part 2 (7:30)

Carved bas-reflief representations of devata (demigoddesses) were a prominent component of Angkorian temple decoration throughout the Middle Ages. The walls of Angkor Wat, the greatest of the temples, are host to hundreds of such devata. Scholars have speculated about their religious and cultural significance. Certainly their graceful and often friendly appearance enlivens the massive grey stones on which they appear.

MUSIC NOTE – I’ve received visitor comments that the European classical background music detracts from this video. I agree  that it would be far nicer with traditional Khmer tunes but I didn’t produce the show and can only present it as provided.

AngkorBlog Devata Video at Ta Prohm (1:55 )

Devata are minor female deities commonly positioned as guardians of the temples at Angkor. This clip shows devata at the 12th century temple of Ta Prohm.The music is a Sarabande of Georg Friedrich Handel performed by Jay C. Wingard.

[Visit the AngkorBlog website for more information about Ta Prohm]

Devata, Apsara and Cambodian Dancers in Khmer Temples – December 2007 - (7:24)

A beautiful slideshow that begins with devata in temple settings. At 2:20 the subject changes to modern dancers performing aspara roles in Khmer temples. From 5:04 to the end, the subject is the spectacular nighttime dance performance at Angkor Wat. Professionally done and set to classical and traditional music.

Ian Wright visits Angkor Wat Cambodia (less than 2 minutes)

If you’ve only got a minute to get an eyeful of Angkor Wat this is the perfect video. The quirky British host of Globe Trekker gives a quick history and stunning images in record time.

Lost Temples: Lost City of Angkor Wat (3 minutes)

This clip from the National Geographic film gives a brief introduction to the ancient religious complex of Angkor Wat in the jungles of Cambodia. A “city of temples” that reveals itself through a vast labyrinth of carved facades, galleries, and stairways.

Mysteries of Asia: Jewels of the Jungle – Angkor Wat (52 minutes)

This excellent Learning Channel documentary explores historical fact and theory surrounding the ancient Khmer temples of Cambodia, much of whose history is undocumented.

This film examines the walled city of Angkor in detail, examining the unusual mix of Hindu and Buddhist religious figures among the Khmer structures.  The program also considers Cambodia’s recent history during the Pol Pot genocide and finally celebrates the survival of the ancient dances of Angkor, a direct cultural link to the distant past.

Digging for the Truth (Five 10 minute segments)

This recent video (11/2008) featuring Hunter Ellis, is an exciting production that’s worth wartching. Here’s Ellis’ own intro to the video:

“This week join me in Cambodia as I unravel the mystery of a civilization that for centuries most thought didn’t exist, a place of rumor, myth and legend. Hidden in the jungle for over four hundred years, the discovery of Angkor Wat shocked the world. Its intricate majesty could only be the world of a sophisticated and advanced people. But where did they go? And why did they abandon all these temples to the jungle?

“To uncover the mystery of the lost Khmer Empire, I’ll travel to the top of Cambodia’s greatest temple, learn the secrets of bokotor, its newly rediscovered lethal martial art, and take to the air to track down the reason why this civilization disappeared into the mists of time.”

Digging for the Truth – Part 2 (10 minutes)

Digging for the Truth – Part 3 (10 minutes)

Digging for the Truth – Part 4 (10 minutes)

Digging for the Truth – Part 5 (10 minutes)

Part I – Antique video of Angkor Wat and Cambodia (6 minutes)

This opens with Dr. Ang Choulean from the Royal University of Fine Arts talking about traditional Cambodian homes. Next, Prof. Alain Forest of the Universite Paris VII discusses the transition of Cambodians from ancient to modern traditions during the French Colonial era.

While lacking the same natural resources as its neighbor Vietnam, Cambodia had something even more extraordinary and prestigious to share with the modern world; the fabulous cultural legacy of Angkor.

“You were dealing with a set of ruins that could compared with the Temple of Solomon. There was nothing comparable in the world.”

Dr. Choulean and other experts discuss the significance of Angkor Wat and Bayon. By 1921, France had begun temple restoration and Christophe Pottier of EFEO elaborates on this work.

Part II – Antique footage of Cambodian dance (6 minutes)

This segment opens with Dr. Choulean commenting that a pilgrimage to Angkor Wat is the lifetime ambition of every Cambodian.

Next, we see rare film of a troupe of Cambodian dancers performing at Angkor Wat. Cambodian dance is far more than entertainment. According to one Cambodian legend, the race descended from the union of a holy man and a celestial dancer, or apsara.

Prof Eileen Blumenthal of Rutgers University expands on this concept by explaining how Cambodian dancers act as a link between humans and the divine.

In what may be the rarest Cambodian dance footage in the world, the film then takes us to Phnom Penh to witness the King’s troupe practicing at the Royal Palace. As Prof Blumenthal explains, this is extraordinary because literally no one but the dancers and the King would have normally been priviledged enough to see this rehearsal.

The tradition was nearly destroyed by the Khmer Rouge genocide when 90% of the dancers and teachers were killed. The film then takes us to the studio of one brave teacher who survived, Em Theay, as she describes the techniques she uses to teach dancce in traditional forms.

Next we again travel to the Royal Palace to meet Princess Buppha Devi, King Sihamoni’s sister, who was one of the most famous royal dancers in the 1960′s. The Princess explains life for dancers in the Royal Palace long ago.

Em Theay explains the unique nature and the style of the dance costumes, which were actually sewn onto the dancers.

Next we see footage of the Cambodian dancers performing in Marseilles France in 1906. The dancers were a sensation and returned to France again, including in 1931 when France built a replica of Angkor Wat for an International Exhibition.