Etymology

The word “Angkor”, according to the dictionary by Neak Krou Pov Savros, comes from the Sanskrit word “Nokor”, which means city, capital, or empire.The word “Wat” refers to a place where Buddhist monks reside.

• Combined, “Angkor Wat” means “a city that has a Buddhist temple.

According to the dictionary, the name comes from "Nokor Wat" the name of an ancient temple located in Siem Reap province, a magnificent and glorious sanctuary of unparalleled beauty, which eventually became known as Angkor Wat.

The original name of Angkor Wat was “Paramavishnuloka,” meaning “The Supreme Abode of Vishnu.”

The evolution of the name Angkor Wat has been recorded and used throughout history.

According to 16th-century stone inscriptions, the temple was referred to as "Preah Mohanokor Indrabrastha Preah Vishnuloka."

The word "Indrabrastha" means “City of Indra”.

Later, in the 17th century, it was called "Indabattamhanokor Srey Sudharav Vishnuloka."

The term has been in use since the establishment of the royal authority, with a traditional narrative stating that Indra (the king of the gods in Hindu mythology bestowed it as a sacred and prestigious legacy for the Cambodian kingdom.