Backpacking Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb Raider Temple)

Ta Prohm (Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម, UNGEGN: Ta Prôhm, ALA-LC: Tā Brahm [taː prom]; "Ancestor Brahma") is the modern name of a temple near the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia, approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray. It was built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th century and early 13th century and was originally called Rajavihara (Khmer: រាជវិហារ, UNGEGN: Réachvĭhar, ALA-LC: Rājvihār [riəc.vihiə]; "Royal Monastery"). It was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and center of learning dedicated to his mother.[1] Almost 80,000 people were required to live in or visit the temple, including over 2,700 officials and 615 dancers.[1]

The temple is referred to as the "Tomb Raider Temple" or the "Angelina Jolie Temple" due to its depiction in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001).[1][2]

The temple was built without mortar and, after it was abandoned, trees took root in the loosened stones.[3] The trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of the most popular temples with visitors to the area.[3] It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992.