We paid 10 usd entry, they do not allow even small bags, we had to use their locker for our camera bag. They do npt allow pics by camera as well!

Museum has very good statues... these are from the Devas group in Naga balustrade

1,000 Buddha Gallery

This gallery has the most prestigious collection of a large numbers of Buddha statues and relics ever assembled covering different art-styles, postures, and materials

Buddha triumphing over Mara (demon)

Here is one of the Buddha statues in Gallery of 1,000 Buddha images, showing in sitting posture with his left hand resting in his lap, and his right hand hanging down over the right knee with the palm inwards. This type of hand gesture is called Bhumisparsa mudra, the Buddha calling the earth to witness, or Buddha Maravijaya means the Buddha triumphing over Mara (demon).

This mudra or hand gesture tells one of the most significant events in the life of Buddha: just before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment; the Mara demon came with his thousands of armies and three beautiful daughters in order to dissuade Gautama from the path of the Buddhahood. The demon instructed his daughters to bewitch and commanded his furious armies to attack Gautama; and finally, the demon claimed the Gautama’s throne as his own, by asking the Gautama to prove his right to the throne. Gotama, then touched the earth by his right hand, calling upon the earth goddess to witness the truth. The earth goddess appeared in the shape of a beautiful woman and squeezed water out of her long hair and swept away in flood all the Mara’s armies which led the Buddha to proceed his enlightenment.

Meditating Buddha Protected by Naga

In Angkorian period, the statue of Meditating Buddha Protected by Naga popularly found in Baphuon, Angkor Wat and Bayon styles.

Here is an example, the Buddha Protected by Naga in Baphuon style, 11th century. In particular, the statue depicts both hands of the Dhyana Mudra (meditation gesture), palms facing upward with the right hand on the left.

This beautiful statue is revealed a great event occurred during the 6th week of his meditation following enlightenment; a torrential rainstorm was unleashed for an entire week. Muchalinda, king of the serpents, emerged and protected the master’s meditation with his body’s coil and his outspread hood until the rain completely stopped

Reclining Buddha

The reclining Buddha, or the sleeping Buddha, symbolizes the Buddha's final moments before entering Parinirvana, the stage of great salvation after death.

It represents his passing from this world and the attainment of nirvana, a state of liberation and peace.

This posture is a reminder of life's impermanence and the pursuit of spiritual liberation.

Mudras / Main gestures of Buddha

There are many types of Buddha’s postures and gestures in the Angkor National Museum. The Buddha statues are often depicted with symbolic hand gestures, called mudra in Sanskrit. Each mudra has a specific meaning that denotes a special characteristic or some significant event in the Buddha’s life.

Here is one of the main mudras of Buddha in the gallery of 1,000 Buddha images. Called Abhaya mudra, it means protection, mercy, and fearfulness.

There are two forms of Abhaya mudra, standing, and sitting.

The standing form shows both hands raised upward at the same level as the chest and the palm held outward. The fingers extend upward and are commonly raised to the level of the heart.

In addition, some statues have the right or left hand extending upwards, with the fingertips at the same level as the shoulder, and the right or left hand held downwards along the body with the palm held outward.

there’s also the sitting form exhibiting the right forearm being held upward with the fingertips at the middle of the chest and the palm held outward, and the left forearm being held outward on the lap.

According to Buddhist legend, this gesture was used by Gautama Buddha to subdue the intoxicated elephant Nalagiri, set off by Devadatta, who was a cousin of the Buddha.

Hermit Sumedha forming a bridge

Buddha's Footprint / Buddhapada

Buddha's Footprint, or Buddhapada, is a significant symbol in Buddhism, often depicted with 108 auspicious symbols on the sole. These symbols represent various aspects of the Buddha's life, teachings, and cosmic significance. The number 108 itself holds symbolic meaning in Buddhism, representing the 108 earthly desires that one must overcome to reach enlightenment.

The 108 symbols on the Buddhapada include various auspicious signs like the swastika, sun, moon, and representations of the cosmos, mythical creatures, and royal insignia.

Bhaisajyaguru / Medicine Master

Yama, the God of Death

Standing Vishnu

Tuol Village, Maha Sang Commune, Phnom Sruoch district, Kampong Speu province

Pre-Angkor Period, Sambor Prei Kuk style, 7th century

Sandstone, 142 x 57 x 30 cm, Gallery A

This statue of Vishnu was sculpted in heavy form, frontal, and hierarchy stand with impressive elaboration by showing his four arms, carrying the Chakra (a disc-like weapon), the conch shell, the mace, and the ball. These attributes represent the four fundamental elements of the cosmos: earth, wind, water, and fire.

Remarkably, he wears a high cylindrical miter and a plain long skirt down to the ankle. The skirt has a fine belt with an almond-shaped buckle. The mace and the support under the right hand, together with the skirt’s pleat, support the weight of the statue. And on the upper part, behind the head, there is a short arc for supporting both upper hands.