The entrance to Angkor Thom
is flanked by 54 gods along
the left side of the walkway. These guardian gods pull the head of the serpent Shesha.
See close-up of statues - some heads are replicas; originals are in museum. shots w/Mike , Poom

This is the main entrance to this city built in the late 12th century, and leads to Bayon in the interior
group picture , Poom

The entrance causeway is flanked by 54 grimacing demons on the right side. They pull the tail of the long serpent. This tug-of-war is a classic Hindu myth.
close-up of demons showing their fierce expressions
and military outfits.

This is one of 54 towers with faces. At the time Bayon was built the Khmer empire consisted of 54 provinces.

These faces dominate the imagery of Angkor city. Behind me is one of the carved faces showing the "Smile of Angkor"

Here are two of the more than 200 smiling faces at Bayon, thought to be images of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.