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Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Angkor in detail (ID: 22642668)

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statusNot funded
Angkor in detail
proposed start date2024-09-01
proposed end date2025-08-31
budget (local currency)283800 INR
budget (USD)3400 USD
grant typeIndividual
funding regionSA
decision fiscal year2023-24
applicant• Vinayaraj
organization (if applicable)• N/A

This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the grantmaking web service of Wikimedia Foundation where the user has submitted their application. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.

Applicant Details

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Main Wikimedia username. (required)

Vinayaraj

Organization

N/A

If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)

N/A

Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)


Main Proposal

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1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.

Angkor in detail

2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.

2024-09-01 - 2025-08-31

4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)

Cambodia

5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)

Wiki Loves Monuments

6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)

I am from India. I am very much interested in taking photos of old temples which tells a lot about the history of the period they were built. Angkor Wat is an architectural wonder, representing the pinnacle of Khmer Empire's achievement in temple construction. Once hidden from the world, this largest religious monument in the world, serves as a symbol of Cambodia's cultural heritage and attracts millions of tourists annually. Nearby lies Angkor Thom, once the largest city in the ancient world with a staggering population of close to a million people, comparing the London population at that time was around 80000. The place is full of wonders, remains of a forgotten culture, their sculptures, lost temples still preserved in excellent condition helping the modern world understand the way of life of a great kingdom a thousand years ago. But this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not amply represented at Wikimedia Commons to the level it should have been. Everywhere else, like in Social media or Alamy or Google photos or Flickr, thousands of images of these temples are available but not at Wikimedia Commons or anywhere else with suitable reusable licenses. It's intricate sculptures and bas-reliefs are innumerable lying in hundreds of square kilometers of area waiting to be photographed and uploaded to Commons. Near Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom lies various other monuments. The user desires to photograph these places and upload them to Wikimedia Commons. This magnificent temples are built with great engineering perfection still defying Time. Only namesake photos of many of the temples are currently available at Wikimedia Commons. I want to make a change to this by bringing as much photos of most of the temples in thousands of numbers. To do that the user have to stay a three week's time in Cambodia. I am an ardent photographer of plants and butterflies which too will be photographed along with the main theme.

7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.

The only planned activity in Cambodia is taking photos. All the sorting, categorizing and uploading will later be done in India: In Cambodia detailed photos of temples, sculptures, buildings, bas-reliefs everything in detail will be taken. Then photos of all available plants and trees and if possible butterflies will be taken, which can not be guaranteed as butterflies can not be predicted to be present at any place or time. The second part of the projected activity is uploading all of them to Wikimedia Commons under suitable categories which will be done in India.


8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.

I will be doing it alone, as I have always done. The focus is on taking photos at Cambodia and uploading them later in India.

9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)

Doing it alone, so it is not relevant

10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)

No

10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.

N/A

11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.

As explained above the idea is taking as mush photos as possible of Khmer history, their temples, sculptures, bas-reliefs etched galleries i n store all over the temple walls. I will be doing it alone as I have always been doing.

12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial

13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)

Culture, heritage or GLAM

14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Geographic

15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)

None of the above

Learning and metrics

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17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)

1. Bringing maximum photos to Wikimedia Commons from a most unrepresented region of the world to the mainstream 2. Under-represented South Asian historical monuments to main-stream 3. The temples beyond the most famous Angkor Wat need to be brought into with all their charm 4. By uploading them to Commons making a chance for all the world to see and learn about the rich history

18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
Number of participants, editors, and organizers
Other Metrics Target Optional description
Number of participants 0 As explained above I will be photographing the monuments on my own. I had done this many occasions in the past. I will later upload all of them to Wikimedia Commons on my own.
Number of editors 0 After uploading to Wikimedia Commons experts will add any categories omitted by me or wrongly placed or change the categories to more appropriate ones.
Number of organizers 0 It is not a team project
Number of content contributions to Wikimedia projects
Wikimedia project Number of content created or improved
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons 28000
Wikidata
Wiktionary
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies
Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia
Optional description for content contributions.

Wikimedia Commons if the place where I am contributing for the past 18 years. The majority of images belong to historical places like temples and forts mainly from India. We know that Hinduism reached Cambodia and South Eastern countries some 1500 years ago. It's influence is seen far and wide across all of Cambodia and it's eventual transformation to Buddhism also can be seen everywhere. Later most of those architectural wonders left forgotten and got swallowed up by dense forests which was later re-discovered and now standing tall to tell the world the long and rich history of Khmer. This riches are not amply represented in Wikimedia Commons. A usual street in a developed country might get more representation at Wikimedia Commons. So this project is envisaged to plug that gap to a certain extent and bring that pinnacle or art and architecture to Wikimedia Commons, which I think is the best we can do even to preserve them for future generation by highlighting

19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)

Yes

Main Open Metrics Data
Main Open Metrics Description Target
Angkor wat Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world, covering an area of over 400 acres and is often regarded as the most iconic temple of the Angkor Archaeological Park and is a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag. Despite centuries of exposure to the elements and human activity, Angkor Wat remains one of the best-preserved examples of Khmer architecture and art and it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Southeast Asia and the world. Even when this makes this monument among the architectural wonders of the world it is not aptly represented at Wikimedia Commons. I intend to photograph the temple in detail from every possible nooks and corners and upload them to Wikimedia Commons. 2000
Galleries of Angkor Wat There are many galleries at Angkor Wat namely The Army of Suryavarman II Gallery, Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery, Vishnu Conquers Demons Gallery, Battle of Lanka Gallery and War Between Devas & Asuras Gallery. Each gallery etched in stone depicts incidents from the Indian epics and battle of the king Suryavraman II. They are vast and intrinsically carved and each place is individualistic on its own.

1. The Army of Suryavarman II Gallery at Angkor Wat is a series of bas-reliefs depicting military scenes, including battles, processions, and conquests, commissioned by King Suryavarman II, the builder of Angkor Wat. These carvings offer insights into the military prowess and imperial ambitions of the Khmer Empire during the 12th century, showcasing its power and achievements through intricate artistic representation.

2. The Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery at Angkor Wat is a famous bas-relief depicting the mythological scene of gods and demons churning the cosmic ocean, found on the walls of the temple complex in Cambodia. This intricate carving showcases the divine narrative and spiritual symbolism deeply rooted in Hindu cosmology and mythology.

3. The Vishnu Conquers Demons Gallery at Angkor Wat features bas-reliefs illustrating the mythological tale of the Hindu deity Vishnu defeating the demons, particularly the story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. These intricate carvings depict the cosmic struggle between good and evil, symbolizing themes of creation, preservation, and the triumph of righteousness found in Hindu mythology.

4. The Battle of Lanka Gallery at Angkor Wat showcases bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana, particularly the epic battle between Lord Rama's army and the demon king Ravana's forces in the city of Lanka. These carvings illustrate the heroic deeds, divine interventions, and moral dilemmas central to the Ramayana narrative, reflecting the rich cultural and religious heritage of ancient India preserved in the artwork of Angkor Wat.

5. The War Between Devas & Asuras Gallery at Angkor Wat features bas-reliefs depicting the mythical conflict between the gods

5000
Angkor Thom temples Angkor Thom is a vast archaeological site in Cambodia, located near the modern city of Siem Reap. It was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire, established by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Angkor Thom is famous for its monumental architecture, including the Bayon Temple with its iconic stone faces, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Baphuon Temple. The city served as the political, administrative, and religious center of the Khmer Empire, and its ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors each year. 3000
Angkor Thom temple galleries and other temples at Angkor Thom Bayon Temple: Famous for its massive stone faces carved on its towers, Bayon is the most iconic temple in Angkor Thom. Visitors can wander through its galleries and climb to the upper levels for panoramic views. The Khmer galleries at Bayon Temple, located in the Angkor Thom complex in Cambodia, are remarkable for their intricate bas-reliefs and carvings depicting scenes from daily life, mythology, and religious beliefs of the Khmer Empire. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century under the reign of King Jayavarman VII, Bayon Temple is renowned for its unique architecture characterized by numerous gigantic stone faces adorning its towers. Within the galleries of Bayon Temple, there are a wealth of narrative reliefs that line the walls, providing insights into Khmer society, history, and culture. These bas-reliefs, which stretch for hundreds of meters, depict various aspects of Khmer life, including battles, ceremonial processions, religious rituals, and scenes from Hindu mythology, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Khmer galleries at Bayon Temple not only serve as a testament to the artistic and architectural prowess of the Khmer Empire but also offer valuable insights into the beliefs, customs, and daily life of the people who lived during that time. Today, they remain a significant cultural and historical attraction, drawing visitors from around the world to marvel at their beauty and complexity.

Terrace of the Elephants: This long terrace features intricate carvings of elephants and other mythical creatures. It was used for royal ceremonies and processions during the Khmer Empire.

Terrace of the Leper King: Named after a statue discovered on the site, this terrace is adorned with intricate carvings and bas-reliefs depicting various figures and scenes.

Baphuon Temple: This massive temple mountain was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It features a long raised causeway and a central sanctuary accessible by a grand staircase.

Phimeanakas: Also known as the Celestial Palace, this pyramid temple is located within the Royal Palace enclosure and is believed to have served as the king's residence.

Preah Palilay: A small Buddhist temple situated near the Royal Palace, featuring well-preserved carvings and a peaceful atmosphere.

Five Gates of Angkor Thom: Entrances to the ancient city, adorned with intricate stone carvings depicting gods and demons engaged in the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk myth.

12000
Other Angkor temples Apart from the main two temples and temple complexes Cambodia’s Khmer history is still alive with so many other temples like:

Ta Prohm: Ta Prohm is famous for its picturesque fusion of nature and architecture, with massive tree roots engulfing the temple's ruins. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm has been left largely in its natural state, allowing visitors to experience the awe-inspiring sight of ancient stone structures intertwined with towering trees.

Banteay Srei: Known as the "Citadel of Women" or "Pink Temple," Banteay Srei is celebrated for its exquisite pink sandstone carvings, which are considered some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. Built in the 10th century, this small but intricately adorned temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Preah Khan: Preah Khan, meaning "Sacred Sword," was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university. The temple complex features impressive carvings, corridors, and galleries, as well as iconic stone garudas and nagas.

Ta Keo: Ta Keo is a massive, unfinished temple-mountain dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the late 10th century, it is notable for its imposing five-tiered pyramid structure, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from its upper levels.

Banteay Samre: Banteay Samre is a well-preserved temple built in the Angkor style during the early 12th century. It is renowned for its intricate carvings, elegant architecture, and tranquil surroundings, offering visitors a peaceful and atmospheric experience.

6000
20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)

I wish to upload a minimum of 28000 photos to Wikimedia Commons from Angkor Wat and associated temples. I had done this before many times from ancient temples of Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Goa and Maharashtra, Gujrat states of India which can well be seen in Wikimedia Commons under proper categories. They would be more than fifty thousand in numbers.

Financial proposal

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21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SVmXo_2UBdmh8x_41p9McaNP67kdqtybfVdEhA36kWQ/edit#gid=0


22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)

283800 INR

22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.

3400 USD

We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes

Endorsements and Feedback

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Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.

Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:

  • Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
  • Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
  • Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
  • Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
  • Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).

Endorse