Like a pilgrimage, thousand of people are exploring everyday Angkor Wat, the largest religious temple in the world and share their pictures on social media. Among them, pictures of sunrise at the reflecting pool are probably the most famous ones. However there are many other opportunities. We wanted to sharing with you in this post our 15 favorite pictures taken in Angkor Wat over the years.
Above is Angkor Wat captured during the spring equinox of March 2016. This timely event occurs twice a year around the 20th of March and September. Getting this shot is of course highly depend on the weather and the chance to have a cloudy sky is particularly high during the month of September. In this picture we blended 4 shots taken few minutes apart with a tripod.
On March 9th 2016, a special set conditions were gathered for an unique Angkor Wat sunrise: a partial eclipse of the sun and the near alignment with the central tower. For few seconds only we could see the sun masked by the moon suspended above the central tower.
The second level of Angkor Wat is where you stand the closest to the five towers and to the central sanctuary called Bakan. From the corners, only three of the five towers are visible. On the first picture, during Vesak day, a Khmer family was walking around the temple which give an interesting human dimension. The second picture, much more dramatic, from another angle, allow to focus on the silhouette of the three towers.
Due to restrictions of the the opening hours, it is only possible to shoot Angkor Wat under the stars between the month of December and February. As it is also the peak season for tourism in Cambodia so many people are on site early and it is quite challenging to avoid the light pollution coming from torch lights and smartphones during long exposure shots. If you look carefully in the picture below, 3 out of 5 towers are lighting up on this shot thanks to random torch lights.
In an there situations, artificial lighting can be helpful to do light painting . This used on the second picture to illuminate and create light effect on one of the naga balustrade of Angkor Wat.
The only opportunity you will have to take some night pictures of Angkor Wat with laser lights are usually during the three days of Khmer New Year which happens every year in April. However this picture was taken in December 14th, 2017 during a light show to celebrate of the 25th anniversary UNESCO world heritage status of Angkor Wat temple.
Sunrise or sunset in Angkor Wat provide some opportunities for silhouettes shots if you are standing on the right location at the right time. In some instance, rays of light can go through the windows and create unique pictures.
Instead of aiming at eye-level for the classic reflection shot at Angkor Wat, pointing down the camera can give a great reflection shot especially at the golden hour.
One of my favorite group of devatas is located on the second level of Angkor Wat (you can count as many as 17 on this picture). It is unfortunately behind a scaffolding since 2016 due to restoration of the tower above it.
This 49 meters long bas-relief depicting the churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous in Angkor Wat. You can see the demons (asuras) and the gods (devas) pulling the snake Vasuki fighting over the elixir of immortality. The snake is wrapped around mount Meru used as a stick. Vishnu under the form of his avatar the turtle is helping to stabilize the mountain. Due to its position the bas relief has a strong casting shadow. The solution for this shot was to use light painting, and blend multiple pictures together.
Archaeologists often describe the temples of Angkor as a skeleton as the many wooden structures that did not stand the test of time. On this shot of Angkor taken from the top of the main tower, one can imagine what the temple was like at its heydays with ornaments and wooden doors.
Angkor Wat emerging from the surrounding misty jungle in the morning. This picture was shot from Phnom Bakheng one of the three hills around Siem Reap. To get this shot we recommended to use at least a 300 mm on a full frame sensor.
The year 2016 ended in a wink. Nevertheless, it was a year full of sweet recollections and splendid adventures, as I travelled here and there, meet new people, and experience new cultures. Looking through my collection of more than 1000 edited pictures of 2016, I was inspired to select my favorite ones. I picked these pictures not only based on my own personal choice of uniqueness and aesthetic value, but also, by the stories behind.
These photographs and memories were taken in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand,India, France, and the Philippines from my 2016 travel diary.
1. Cambodia : Angkor Wat Solar Eclipse – March 2016
This unique picture was taken on the 9th March during a partial eclipse of the sun in Angkor Wat Temple. What make this shot rare is that of the date of the eclipse was less than 2 weeks away from the spring equinox and it was possible to find a shooting location where the sun was just above the central tower at the maximum of the eclipse. According to ephemerides, the next partial solar eclipse in Angkor Wat temple during sunrise will take place in 2042 ! Due to the nature of this eclipse, so the passing of the moon in front of the sun could be only be captured using a very dark filter in this case a 10-stop neutral density filter ND1000 which blocks 99.9 % of the incoming light coming to the sensor. This is a one-of-a kind, unforgettable shot in Angkor Wat as we were only 2 photographers at this spot. Others have vanished to go see the other temples and most people except few guides were not aware of the solar eclipse that day. To see more pictures of this solar eclipse please have a look at my blog post.
Settings: ISO 400, 105 mm, f:4, 1/40s, ND 1000 filter
2. Ho Chi Minh City : Street Scene – April 2016
Ho Chi Minh is a sprawling city of 8 million and with almost as many motorbikes racing in its streets. Here you can find places to service your motorbike even on sidewalks.
While inside a coffee shop (which is also numerous in Saigon) my attention was caught by this colorful poster across the street. I took few shots of it alone but it did not come out very well. By moving few feet, I got a much better picture : framing the customer with her red dusk mask waiting for her motorbike to be serviced against the blue metallic wall, while the poster of a future housing development was in the background. The black and yellow line worked as well as a leading line to connect all the elements of the picture.
Settings: ISO 160, 20 mm, f:7.1, 1/100s
3. Cambodia : Boy Planting Rice, April 2016
During the month of April, Cambodian farmers are busy planting floating rice on the West Baray, one of the biggest man made reservoirs in the word build during the Khmer empire in the 11th century.To get closer, we boarded a small fisherman wooden boat and it was when I took a shot of this Cambodian kid, knee-deep in water, smiling despite the hardship of his work.
Settings: ISO 100, 168 mm, f:5.6, 1/500 s
4. Cambodia : Angkor Wat Vesak Day – May 2016
This picture was taken beside the main tower of Angkor Wat (also called Bakan) which is also the most sacred place of the temple. This Khmer family was walking counter-clockwise making several rounds around it, and I waited there to frame the shot with my 20 mm, the minimum focal length from this corner to fit all the building in a horizontal frame. This scene was taken 2 days before Buddha’s Day (Vesak Day). The act of walking around a sacred temple is called circumambulation and is an integral part of Hindu and Buddhist devotional practices and usually done clockwise.
Settings: ISO 250, 20 mm, f:7.1 1/800 s
5. India : Ladakhi Monk in Lamayuru Monastery- July 2016
This picture was taken during our first photo tour in Ladakh India, more precisely in Lamayuru monastery about 100 km from Leh. We visited Lamayuru Temple during the 3-day annual colorful monastic festival. This monk posed for a brief moment, adjusting his robe, just enough time for me to frame a shot with the door. The colorful mural with its main character looking at the monk add another dimension to the picture.
Settings: ISO 640, 32 mm, f:4, 1/160 s
6. India : Milky Way in the Himalayas, July 2016
During our photo tour in Ladakh, we spent several nights in tents at an altitude of 4700 meters. Even during summer months, temperatures goes down below 5 degree Celsius at night. Adding to that the altitude sickness, this night shot sessions was quite challenging but looking at the starry skies and the Milky Way stretching over the Himalaya mountains was quite rewarding. In this shoot the illuminated tent is the one we used for our dinner and gives a touch of color and a sense of scale to the picture.
Settings: ISO 2000, 20 mm f:2.8, 30s
7. Thailand : Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at Golden Hour – July 2016
This shot was taken at the international airport of Bangkok at sunset. Suvarnabhumi, the busiest airport in Thailand handled more than 50 million passengers in 2015. This section of the terminal although not so photogenic came out much better for few minutes with the evening sunlight illuminating nicely the arched rooftop.
Settings: ISO 400, 84 mm, f:4 1/25s
8. France : French Medieval Castle at Sunset – October 2016
During a scouting photo trip in the region of Dordogne in France, famous worldwide for its food and castles, we ended up the day at the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac just in time for sunset with a view of the Beynac Castle built on on a limestone cliff and overlooking the river. This 12th century fortress was built around the same than Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia and it is tempting to compare the austere architecture of the fortress with the scale and symmetry of Angkor and its fined carvings. Also on the 12th century, only 50,000 people were living in Paris against 800,000 in Angkor according to last LIDAR survey.
Settings: ISO 200, 24 mm, f:5.6, 1/320 s
9. Cambodia : Betel Leaves Vendors – November 2016
In Cambodia, betel consumption is not as widespread as in Myanmar. Most of the time, only the elderly are munching betel unlike in Myanmar where you can see young people chewing them. In this picture, a wooden basket with fresh betel leaves is standing on the floor in front of this two smiling elderly Cambodian ladies. The three other ingredients making up the so-called betel squid missing from the picture are areca nut, tobacco and lime water (saturated solution of calcium hydroxide).
Settings: ISO 400, 38 mm f:4, 1/160s
10. Cambodia : Red Angkor Wat Sunrise, November 2016
Out of the many sunrises at Angkor Wat temple I have witnessed in 2016, this one was one the most spectacular hat I have seen. The bright red dramatic cloudy sky were just breathtaking. This picture was taken around the end of November when monsoon season was coming to an end.
Settings: ISO 320 , 20 mm, f:5.6, 1/80s
11. Philippines : Here Comes the Bride, December 2016
I took this quick shot at San Augustin Church in Intramuros Manila just when the bride was making her entrance. Intramuros is the frequently visited area in Manila where two beautiful churches are located not far from each other. You can visit the area by taking a horse carriage (kalesa in Filipino), but one of the best way for photographer is to wander around the cobble stone streets in order not miss any photographic opportunities.
Settings: ISO 500, 35 mm, f:2.8, 1/15s
12. Philippines : New Year Fireworks in Manila , December 2016
This picture is one of my last clicks of 2016 taken just 5 minutes before New Year’s Eve in Metro Manila. New Year in this megacity is celebrated with loads of fireworks and firecrackers that lighten up the skies around the city. Fireworks and firecrackers are grand spectacles during this year end celebration. The adverse effect though is that hundreds of people injure themselves every year using firecrackers and it gives raise to a peak in particles pollution few hours after.Fireworks were scattered and I was lucky to have a vantage point from a rooftop with the neon illuminated Rockwell Center in Makati just in the frame. Several shots were combined in Photoshop to have more firework explosions.
Settings: ISO 100, 25 mm, f:9, 30 s (composite picture)
Running photography toursin the temples of Angkor for the last 5 years, I am particularly acquainted the Angkor Archaeological Park which stretched over 400 square meters and counts more than 200 temples. I want to share with you some tips that will help you capture better pictures during your stay in Cambodia. From the preparation to the actual day, here are 10 photography tips below on how to get the best out of your day in the temples of Angkor.
A wide angle lens is a must in the temples of Angkor. Unfortunately many people realized too late that their lens is not wide enough ….I would recommend at least a 24 mm (on a full frame) or a 10 mm (on a crop sensor). Many of the temple photography was taken at 17 mm or 20 mm.
If you have a Canon camera, I would suggest the moderately-priced ultra wide zoom lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM or the more expensive Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM. In some instances you may want to bring or rent a telephoto lens as it can be useful in some temples like Bayon to isolate the distant faces or capture far details in other temples. If you have a Canon camera, I would suggest the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM or the more expensive version Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM.
If you have a Fisheye lens taking the dust in one of your drawers, I strongly suggest to take it to Angkor, it is a fun lens to use in the temples. Pictures below ere taken with the 7artisans fisheye 7.5 mm f:2.8.
Photography tips Angkor Wat: be creative with your fish-eye lens capturing devatas in Angkor Wat temple
Photography tips Angkor Wat: be creative with your fish-eye lens capturing the giants trees of Angkor
2. Pack extra batteries
You will probably take more pictures than usual during your photo tour and test the limit of your camera’s battery life. I noticed that cameras with electronic view finders (Sony Alpha 7r, 7s, Olympus OMD5 or Pen) drain their batteries quite fast so having extra batteries is highly recommended for mirrorless cameras. With Canon and Nikon DLSR’s, you can get away with one battery (if new) if you use from time to time your LCD screen. Be sure to charge fully the battery the night before. If you do not have an extra battery I highly recommend to bring your charger. There will be some charging stations at the restaurants around Angkor so you charge your batteries during your lunch break or coffee break.
3. Bring a monopod instead of a tripod
Many photographers are coming to Angkor with a tripod and end up not using it. It would be difficult to use a tripod at the sunrise in Angkor Wat unless you arrive very early and take a position in front of the crowd. Generally you can get away in taking Angkor Wat sunrise pictures without a tripod by using a large aperture and raising a bit the ISO. Light inside the temples can be quite low even in the afternoon but you can still get pretty decent photos in most cases by raising ISO to 1000. If you want to keep the noise low, one option is to use a monopod so you can use a lower speed. A monopod is also much easier to carry than a tripod.
Some people sometime ask if tripods are allowed in the temples of Angkor. The short answer is yes… However if you look “too professional” someone might ask you if you have a permit for shooting as they might think that you are shooting a commercial work.
4. Arrive early at Angkor Wat sunrise (best spot for sunrise angkor wat)
Tourists lined up in front of the reflecting pond facing Angkor Wat temple
Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a very popular venue all year round and it is best to arrive early to get your spot in front especially if you want to set up a tripod. 5 am is the earliest that you can enter Angkor Wat. The day before your planned tour, you can check sunrise time on Google. Leaving your hotel one hour before sunrise would be ideal. During the months of June, July and August, as sunrise is very early, I suggest that you buy your pass the day before from 5 pm at the new ticket center close to the Angkor Panorama Museum.
5. Buy the right entry pass
If you are planning to stay for several days and explore more temples, the best value for money is the 7-day pass at USD 72 which will allow you entry to the park 7 times for a period of 30 days. The worst deal is the one-day pass at USD37 , especially if you plan to visit the temples only half a day. To know more about the Angkor tickets please read our blog post.
6. Compose with shadows and highlights
Light in the temples of Angkor can be quite difficult to master especially at midday so it is best to shoot before 10 am and after 4pm. It does not mean of course that you cannot take good shots in between you just have to look for light and shadows.
Devata in Ta Prohm temple emerging from the shadow
Head of a Devata in the morning light at Angkor Wat temple
7. Do look up for details
Angkor Wat is such a massive temple that it is easy to miss many interesting details. Just look closely at the carvings and writings carved into the sandstone they can are often beautiful to capture. Do not forget also to look up the ceiling in the hall of 1000 Buddhas. If you want to see more close up pictures of Angkor please have a look at our previous blog entries here and here.
Bas relief detail in Bayon temple
Photography tips Angkor Wat: do not forget to look up in Angkor Wat temple to see these motifs with preserved red pigments
Hindu priest carving details in Angkor Wat temple
8. Get the right exposure
Getting the right exposure for your pictures in Angkor can be tricky as light changes drastically between outside and in the temple and change as well quite quickly outside. Unless you are shooting on auto ISO you will have to always pay attention to your ISO settings first before clicking your camera. Whether you are shooting manual or priority aperture, the metering system of your camera will be often challenged so you would to change quite often your camera settings. It is often said that shooting against the sun is a not a good idea but by choosing the right settings in your camera it can give fantastic results as you can see on the picture below.
Beautiful Apsara carvings at sunrise
9. Get out off the beaten path.
Even in the busiest temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon, you can escape the crowd by sauntering thru smaller corridors where you will often find hidden treasures that most tourist wouldn’t find.
Photography tips Angkor Wat: get out of the beaten path
10. Avoid Phnom Bakheng at sunset!
When in Siem Reap, many travel agents or independent drivers will recommend Phnom Bakheng as the best sunset viewpoint. It is actually the worst ! You would have to go there quite early as the numbers of people allowed on top of the temple is now limited to 300. The sunset view is not that impressive. You can see Angkor Wat from there but will need a least a 300 mm lens to take a decent shot. This useful website can help you find out other sunset spots in Angkor. Bear in mind that most of the temples are open only between 7.30 am to 5.30 pm which will make sunset pictures impossible. Beside Phnom Bakheng the only places which are opened until 7.00 pm are Pre Rup temple and Srah Srang.
🌅 Angkor Wat sunrise offers breathtaking beauty throughout the year, with each month providing a unique perspective.
⏰ Sunrise time at Angkor Wat varies from 5.30 am to 6.30 am.
🌄 Remarkable astronomical events occur during the equinoxes in March and September.
🎨 The colors of the sky at dawn are unpredictable, ranging from pale red to delicate pink or even blue.
📸 Photographers should arrive early to secure a spot, especially if using a tripod, and the best time for night photography is December and January.
☁️ The monsoon season adds dramatic and awe-inspiring skies.
📍 There are various vantage points to witness the sunrise at Angkor Wat, with reflecting ponds being the most sought-after location for stunning compositions.
If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, make sure to add Angkor Wat sunrise to your agenda. Photographers, in particular, won’t want to miss out on capturing the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder throughout the year. Each month offers a unique perspective on this inspiring event, from clear skies and stunning red sunrises during the early months of the year, to the dramatic impact of the monsoon season, with rain clouds adding a mesmerizing depth to the photographs. Particularly in the months of March, April, and May, the sun appears as a massive red ball amidst the haze, perfect for capturing unforgettable images.
ANGKOR WAT SUNRISE TIME
Sunrise at Angkor Wat varies from about 5.30 am to 6.30 am depending of the time of the year. As Angkor Wat opens at 5 am all year around you can arrive sometime less than one hour before sunrise. This will have a lot of consequence on your pictures so if you want to get pictures of Angkor Wat at night, you should plan your trip accordingly.
Enchanting Sunrise at Angkor Wat’s Reflection Pond (January 2016)
Angkor Wat Sunrise | When the sun rises behind the temple
Two remarkable astronomical events occur each year in March and September at Angkor Wat Temple, highlighting the ingenuity of its ancient architects. During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun rises perfectly aligned with the base of Angkor temple and slowly rise just beside the central tower, creating a stunning visual effect. This remarkable phenomenon is a testament to the advanced astronomical knowledge possessed by the architects who built Angkor Wat 900 years ago
Majestic Sunrise Behind Angkor Wat’s main Tower During the Spring Equinox (March 2016)
The Enchanting Dance of the Sun During Sunrise
If you are standing at Angkor Wat facing east towards the rising sun in different seasons, you will notice that the position of the sun changes dramatically throughout the year. During the month of December, the sun rises at the far right side of the temple (south), while in June, it rises at the far left (north). Additionally, during the periods around the two equinoxes of March and September, the sun rises behind the towers of Angkor, creating a breathtaking sight. This celestial dance offers photographers and visitors alike a chance to witness the majestic beauty of Angkor Wat in a variety of perspectives and lighting conditions throughout the year.
Angkor Wat temple taken from central causeway just after the spring equinox (March 2022)
Spectacular Sunburst behind Angkor Wat Temple silhouette (June 2015)
Angkor Wat reflective pool after with the silhouettes few tourists (November 2017)
From Blue to Pink | Capturing the Ever-changing Hues of Angkor Wat Sunrise
At Angkor temple, the colors of dawn can be quite unpredictable. The sky may transform from a pale red to a delicate shade of pink, or even capture the elusive “blue hour” just before sunrise. Each morning is a unique experience, with the colors of the sky constantly changing throughout the year.
Blue hour with stormy sky (April 2023)
Captivating Angkor Wat: May Sunrise at the Blue Hour (May 2016)
Hues of pink with Angkor Wat reflection (February 2023)
Angkor Wat Sunrise | Tips for Photographers
For photographers, it is recommended to arrive as early as possible on location as soon as possible to secure a spot in front of the pond especially if you plan to use a tripod. Sunrise can be as early as 5.37 am in the month of June and a bit late at 6.32 am in the month of January. December and january are also best time of the year to capture photos of Angkor Wat at night with star trails as a backdrop. The opening hours are strictly enforced and Angkor Wat opens at 5 am sharp.
Angkor Wat at daybreak with golden colors (April 2016)
Nature’s Canvas: Angkor Wat Sunrise Against the Drama of Clouds
The moonson season brings hues of green to the temples of Angkor by also dramatic and awe-inspiring skies. This without any doubt gives another dimension to photographs compared to the clear skies.
These pictures can be taken between June until sometime Decembre depending on the moosoon season .
A Dramatic Angkor Wat Skyline Amidst the Clouds (August 2022)
Beautiful sunrise just after the rain (december 2015)
Golden sunrise at Angkor Wat (August 2014)
Angkor Wat at Sunrise: A Majestic Scene with Red Clouds in June
Angkor Wat with dramatic red clouds (October)
Angkor Wat with dramatic red clouds (October)
Angkor Wat in October with Vibrant Red Clouds (2017)
At Angkor Wat, the sunrise spots are plentiful, regardless of whether you face east or west. Whether you seek a dramatic backlight or wish to observe the golden rays illuminating the sandstone carvings, there are many vantage points to choose. The reflecting ponds at Angkor Wat are undoubtedly the most sought-after location for capturing the perfect Instagram shot. As the sun rises, the water create a mirror-like reflection, offering a stunning composition for photographers. Consequently, these areas tend to be quite crowded, as the area is quite small
The short answer would be yes. if you do not want to be shoulder to hundred of tousist at the reflective pools, they are other view points during sunrise where it can be relatively quiet. Note that the busiest season is from November to February but it not necessarily the best months for photographers looking to explore the temples of Angkor and get the most spectacular shots. If you can, we recommend to hire a photography guide.
The quite elusive phenomenon, known as the blue hour, unveils itself approximately sixty minutes before the break of dawn, it can give a intense blue tone to your pictures even if your camera is set to a warm white balance.
Angkor Wat temple’s popularity at sunrise comes from its stunning sunrises. The temple’s silhouette against the colorful sky creates a picturesque setting that has become iconic. especially viewed from the reflecting ponds.Although the same breathtaking effect cannot be replicated at sunset, the evening golden light sunset can be a blessing for photographers especially in areas rich with carvings.
Running photography tours in the temples of Angkor, I am one of the lucky few who have witnessed and captured nearly 200 sunrises. Although there were days when sunrise was uneventful, Angkor Wat sunrise it is a special moment to capture although it became quite popular over the years. It is always a new spectacle depending on the weather and also due to the fact that sun rise is actually moving from the south to the north of the temple. Twice a year, during the equinox of March and September, sun rises just behind the main tower which make the sunrise even more spectacular.
Here is a selection below of the best sunrise pictures I took the past few years in Angkor Wat temple. If you are a photographer and want to get professional advice and tips during Angkor Wat and beyond please have a look at our popular Angkor Wat sunrise tour.
Angkor Wat sunrise central tower aligned with reflection on pond
Angkor Wat sunrise with lily pond flowers
Angkor Wat sunrise with reflection
Golden sunrise over Angkor Wat temple
Crowd at sunrise during the equinox at Angkor Wat temple
Beautiful sunrise just after the rain in Angkor Wat temple
Angkor Wat sunrise from western causeway during the raining season
Beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat with beams of light
Sun rising behind the temple of Angkor reflecting on pond
The last solar eclipse making the headlines in Angkor was the one on the 24th October 1995. It was a total eclipse reaching its maximum just before noon. As the sun was already high in the sky, no picture could be taken with the silhouette of Angkor Wat.
The recent solar eclipse that took place on March 9th 2016 received almost the same attention from the media. In a narrow corridor stretching from Sumatra to Sulawesi in Indonesia, the eclipse was total but only partial in other parts of Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, and Cambodia.
As the date of this eclipse was close to the Spring Equinox celebration where the central tower of Angkor Wat is perfectly aligned with the rising sun, it was such a perfect timing for watching the sun rising behind the main towers of the temple. Sunrise on that day was at 6.16 am and the eclipse started at 6.39 am, reaching its maximum at 7:34 am and ended at 8.37 am.
As expected, the moon started passing in front of the sun just after sunrise. As the eclipse continued the sun was close enough to the main tower to capture a half-sun sitting right above the pinnacle of the main tower. It was also a good time to catch some reflection on the pond.
Another eclipse leaving only a crescent of sun above Angkor Wat will take place on April 20th 2042. Save the date, it should be another spectacular event, though with a maximum point at 8.06 am, the sun will already be quite high on the sky but the changing of light might be interesting.
(These pictures were taken with a Canon 5DMKII and a 24-105 mm f:4 lens fitted with a 10-stops neutral density filter)
Angkor Wat temple before sunrise – 6.08 am.
Beginning of the solar eclipse behind Angkor Wat – 6.41 am
Sun eclipse above Angkor Wat main tower – 6.54 am
Sun eclipse beside Angkor Wat main tower – 6.58 am.
Sun eclipse above Angkor Wat main tower – 7.04 am.
Angkor Wat temple reflecting on water pond – 7.08 am.
Partial solar eclipse at the maximum – 7.35 am.
Angkor Wat temple and its moat view from the from West entrance – 8.06 am.
Equinox, an astronomical event that marks a change in season, is the time in which the sun passes over the celestial equator causing the length of night and day to be roughly equal. In the northern hemisphere vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring while autumnal equinox marks the beginning of autumn. Vernal equinox is usually celebrated in March while autumnal equinox in September. In the southern hemisphere, it is the other way around.
Spring equinox is not just any ordinary season celebration. In most cultures, it is a religious observance embracing a symbolic sense of spirituality. It has been celebrated for thousands of years in many countries with different traditions with almost similar themes, the start of new beginnings. For Christians, spring equinox plays a vital role in determining the Christian Easter and the same goes for the Jewish celebration of the Passover. While a tradition from ancient Chinese calls for balancing of eggs to bring good fortune and abundance. For Iranians, spring equinox marks their New Year or Nowruz established from the Zoroastrianism beliefs. St. Patrick’s day in Ireland is also an observance related to the spring equinox.
In Pagan traditions, spring equinox is a celebration in honor of the gods and goddesses. Ancient Romans celebrate in honor of the mother goddess of Rome, Cybele, who with some divine intervention and help from Zeus, resurrected her lover, Attis after he castrated and killed himself. Germanic tribes celebrate Ostara, originally from the word Eostre, the Germanic goddess of spring; while Ancient Egypt celebrate the Festival of Isis, the goddess of spring and rebirth.
The native Mayan people in Central America celebrates spring equinox for ten centuries in the Mayan sacrificial ritual pyramid, El Castillo or the Kukulcan Pyramid, in Chichen Itza, Mexico. The pyramid has four staircases and at the base of the stairs stands the carved head of a snake deity, Kukulkan. The pyramid is designed with quite an impressive precision that during the equinox, as the sun sets, shadows and sunlight plays an illusion of a snake sliding down the staircase. They call this occurrence as “The Return of the Sun Serpent”. At present, El Castillo is also one of the famous venue for equinox observance.
Stonehenge, a celebrated tourist attraction in England is another well-known venue for the equinox. One function of the Stonehenge’s blueprint is to serve as an astronomical observatory to forecast and calculate celestial occurrences. During the equinox, Druids and Pagans gather early in the morning to witness the sun rising above the stones. This structure has become a very prominent venue for those seeking some kind of an extraordinary spiritual encounter during the equinox.
Another remarkable site to experience the equinox is the Grianan of Aileach, a group of ancient structures on top of a hill in Count Donegal, Ireland, with structures believed to have been built in the 6th or 7th century AD. During the equinox, the beam of the rising sun is dividing the inside of the stone ring-fort which is the main structure, into a northern and southern part.
Mnajdra, a temple complex in the the island of Malta, is considered as one of the most ancient religious sites on earth. The structure is believed to have been built during the 4th Millenium B.C. During the equinox, a ray of sun pass thru the temple and lights up its main axis.
Finally, being considered as one of the shrines of the ancient world, Angkor Wat near Siem Reap Cambodia is the most popular venue in Southeast Asia to celebrate the spring equinox. The structure, aside from its magnificent design is also drafted to forecast celestial phenomenons. Angkor Wat temple features a very distinctive and spectacular sunrise during the equinox; the sun rises exactly behind the pinnacle of the central tower, the most sacred point of the temple rising 65 meters above the ground.
For this upcoming Spring Equinox we are doing a special photography tour, please visit this page for more details. Here are few pictures below of sunrise at the equinox in Angkor Wat temple.
Angkor Wat spring equinox sunrise
Angkor Wat sunrise during the equinox
Sunlight behind the central tower of Angkor Wat temple
Sunrise over Angkor Wat temple during Equinox
Crowd waiting for sunrise during the equinox at Angkor Wat temple
