SIEM REAP, Cambodia — Cambodia has decreed that visitors to Angkor Wat temple must not wear revealing clothes or smoke. A “code of conduct” was released to educate visitors on how to behave when visiting the world’s largest religious monument, Angkor Wat, which was originally built as a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The “code of conduct” was released by the Aspara National Authority, which manages the site, Xinhua news agency reported. Visitors have been told not to wear revealing clothes, not to smoke, not to give money and candy to children and not to take a selfie with monks at the temple.

Tourists must also avoid littering, touching the carvings or sitting on fragile structures and entering restricted areas.

“For the preservation and sustainable development of Angkor, our sacred world heritage site, it’s our duty to respect the code of conduct,” Aspara National Authority’s Sok Sangvar said. “These rules are made in order to prevent negative impacts on our temple, our environment and our culture.”

Angkor Wat Temple, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, is the kingdom’s most popular tourist destination. The site attracted 1.67 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months of 2015, generating a gross revenue of nearly $48 million from ticket sales.

An entrance fee to the site is US$20 per day for a foreigner, $40 for a three-day visit and $60 for a week-long visit. Although originally built as a Hindu temple, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine in the 12th century. The Archaeological Society of India has contributed to its upkeep.

Source: IANS