Sculpture of an asura (demon) holding the tail of a giant naga (serpent), on the causeway leading to the North Gate of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. The city, built in the late 12th century and covering 900 hectares, remained the capital of Angkor until the 17th century. At the entrances to each of the 5 gates are rows of gods and demons holding the giant nagas in a representation of the Hindu myth of the Churning of the Sea of Milk.