Battle of Kurukshetra, Angkor Wat

Battle of Kurukshetra, Angkor Wat (26 February, 2006)


The Battle of Kurukshetra is a bas-relief gallery at Angkor Wat depicting the Hindu epic from the Mahabharata. Famously depicted on the walls at Angkor Wat, the bas-relief describes the struggle of two rival clans, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, which culminated in the Battle of Kurukshetra in the city of Kurukshetra, in modern-day state of Haryana, in northern India. On the 49-meter long Angkor Wat gallery, the army of Kauravas is shown advancing from the left while the Pandavas from the right. On the extreme left and right, we see the armies marching in orderly formation, with commanders on horse-drawn chariots and elephants and musicians.

Note that in Khmer bas-reliefs, personalities of high importance are carved larger than the less important ones. So in the Battle of Kurukshetra, the king will usually be the biggest person on the art. As we arrive at the centre, we see the fighting begins. About 5 meters down the gallery and near the top, we see Bhishma, the commander-in-chief of the Kauravas, laid dying on a bed of arrows at the end of 10 days of fighting.

15 meters down, and also near the top, we see the brahmin Dronacharya (with hair tied in a topknot and wielding a bow) leading the Kauravas after Bhishma's death. Another 2 meters, near the bottom, we see Karna turning around and trying to free the stuck wheel of his chariot. As he does do, he is killed by Arjuna, the head of the Pandava army whom we see, 4 meters down, and near the top, firing an arrow from his chariot. His charioteer has four arms, identifying him as Krishna. From here on are the Pandavas. 8 meters down we see Bhima riding an elephant and carries a shield with the face of Rahu.

Southwest Pavillion: Scenes from Ramayana The Battle of Kurukshetra bas-relief gallery ends at the Southwest Pavillion. Each corner of the pavilion is adorned with carvings from Ramayana.

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