Several centuries before Leonardo DaVinci created the enigmatic smile of his Mona Lisa, hundreds of serene faces displaying equally enigmatic smiles were carved into the famous temple now known as Bayon.
Bayon is in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, which was the symbolic center of the Khmer empire.
Dedicated to Buddha by King Jayavarman VII, this state temple was originally called “Jayagiri” (which means “Victory Mountain”) but was renamed “Banyan Temple” sometime after the period of French occupancy.
The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment after a long period of meditation beneath a banyan tree.
The religious significance of the banyan tree and the many banyan trees growing around the site made it an appropriate name.
However, the local Khmer who worked on the restoration of the temple were responsible for its final name change.
The workers mispronounced the name as “Bayon” instead of “Banyan” and the name stuck.