18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Ta Prohm: Temple taken back by nature

In 1860s French naturalists discovered ancient temples of Khmer civilization in the jungles of Cambodia. One of those temples, Ta Prohm, has been restored to the state is was found in: slightly overgrown large trees having taken root in its walls and towers, showing how nature always has the upper hand, no matter how strong a structure's foundation. The trees are impressively huge and the walls crumble around them, giving way to Mother Nature.I think that trees rising from the ruins of this 12th-century Buddhist temple surrounded by jungle is a great example of our changing world. It shows that not only humanity can have an impact on nature. But nature also can claim back it's land.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Cambodia
Copyright: © Pavel Zakharov