Final answer:
Early Cambodian cities and temples, including Angkor Wat, were planned around the mandala concept from Hindu mythology, representing the cosmos and the divine structure of the universe, central to both religious belief and the legitimization of Khmer rulers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early Cambodian cities and Khmer temples, such as the complex at Angkor Wat, were primarily planned around the mandala, which is an element of Hindu mythology. The mandala represents the universe and in the context of the temples, it is reflected in their layout and design, signifying cosmic order. For example, Angkor Wat was designed to represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods, with its central tower surrounded by concentric galleries and a moat, emulating the oceans surrounding Mount Meru. The temple complex was aligned with Hindu cosmology and dedicated to Vishnu, consolidating both the spiritual and political power of the Khmer rulers who were seen as god-kings or incarnations of Vishnu.
The Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom also reflect this cosmic symbolism. Like Angkor Wat, it aimed to represent the cosmic mountain, Mount Meru, with its central temple structure surrounded by multiple towers, signifying the peaks of the mountain and the gods. Throughout the Khmer Empire, such architectural and cosmological influences of Hinduism are evident, ensuring that these elements are central to the understanding of the planning of early Cambodian cities.