Bayon Temple was constructed in the late 12th century as the official state by king Jayavaraman VII. Bayon was considering as the last stone temple ever built in the period of the Khmer empire because when the Khmers had finished Bayon temple, the Khmers in the Angkor period were not able to build any more stone temple. Because country began to decline.
The 54 towers of Bayon are represented to 54 provinces of the Khmer empire. In addition, as 54 are considering as a lucky number link to the astrological concept. Then king Jayavaraman VII had arranged territory of the Khmer empire with 54 provinces.
When French began to work in this temple, they thought Bayon was a Hindu temple dedicated to Brahma (The Creator) in 9th century. They judged to the Brahma because according to the four faces on each towers and they judged for the 9th century because the temple looked too old as they don't realize yet about Roluos Group.
But in 1933 when excavation work began at the central tower, then made very surprised and understand that Bayon was a Buddhist temple not a Hindu temple and built in the late 12th century not 9th century. The excavation about 14m deep at the centre chamber of Bayon were done, they found a big broken Buddha statue and Sanskrit inscription. It clarified about temple's function, temple's symbolizing, date and the reign of the temple builder.
This temple is located in the small circuit. This temple also considering as one of the three high light temples in the small group. To avoid the crowd, suggest to visit a bit early and start from Ta Prohm temple first then Angkor Thom which Bayon in the middle then the last one would be Angkor Wat.
