In fact , the entire structure of the wat -- or temple -- mirrors the Hindu cosmos .
It 's also a powerful throwback to the Khmer Empire , the Hindu - cum - Buddhist government of Southeast Asia that ruled between AD 802 and 1431 .
The entire structure of the wat -- or temple -- mirrors the Hindu cosmos .
It 's also a powerful throwback to the Khmer Empire , the Hindu - cum - Buddhist government of Southeast Asia that ruled between AD 802 and 1431 .