Deep in the jungles of Angkor lies the 12th century temple of Ta Prohm, a monument enveloped by the roots and trunks of sprawling trees - synonymous with the power of time and nature.  Built by King Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mother and originally called Rajavihara. As a Buddhist temple and university, it once housed over 12,500 people including 18 high priests and 615  dancers. After the fall of Angkor, Ta Prohm was abandoned and left largely unrestored, creating an aura of mystery ever since.

Today, the giant silk-cotton and strangler fig trees that grow on the temple walls show the power of nature to both destroy and create.  here stones have fallen, a forest has risen around them. This synergy between ruins and forest creates Ta Prohm's haunting atmosphere. While Angkor Wat showcases Khmer ingenuity, Ta Prohm reveals the impermanence of human monuments, where nature reclaims the structures. One can only wonder at what future discoveries lie buried beneath creeping vines and sprawling roots. Watching my son explore every crevice and fallen stones reminds me that though this temple's legacy is in a crumbling state, its story is still playing out with every visitor that walks in its grounds.