Angkor Thom is the transform name from another alternative name of Nokor Thom, which is believed to be the correct one, due to neglect of calling it in incorrect pronunciation. The word Nokor is literally derived from Sanskrit word of Nagara, which means City, combining with Khmer word Thom, which means Big or Great so as to form Nokor Thom then being altered to current name of Angkor Thom.
Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building program. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.
Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however. Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest, and Angkor Thom overlapped parts of it. The most notable earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas, which was incorporated into the Royal Palace. The Khmers did not draw any clear distinctions between Angkor Thom and Yashodharapura: even in the fourteenth century an inscription used the earlier name. The name of Angkor Thom—great city—was in use from the 16th century.
Photo: Ta Prohm Temple, it is one of the most picuresque tree-temple in the Angkor complex. Orginally namned Rajavihara. Ta Prohm temple was commissoned in 1186 AD by King Jayavarman VII and was dedicated to his mother in honor of Prajnaparamita (the goddes of wisdom in Mahayana Buddhism)
This temple was used in the first movie Tomb Riders .
