From Angkor Wat, it is about 45 minutes by bus to Banteay Srei, a beautiful 10th century Hindu temple complex. Banteay Srei — Citadel of Women — is made of deep red sandstone and takes on a deep pink glow in the afternoon sunlight. Low walls, its relatively small size and the intricately carved scenes of Hindu tales are welcoming.
Completed in 967, Banteay Srei remained in use until at least the 14th century. It is the only major temple at Angkor not built for the king. It was actually constructed by one of king Rajendravarman’s counsellors, Yajnyavahara and dedicated to Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. The temple was rediscovered in 1914.
When we arrived, the Exodus Travels group listened as our tour guide Vanney explained the center doorway was reserved for the king and the two much smaller ones for everyone else. Because of its small size, we all walked, more or less, in a square around the many peaked structures in the center of the square, photographing buildings, doorway arches and carved reliefs. Decoration covers almost every available surface.
Every temple has its own personality, built to honor different factions of the Buddhist and Hindu religions. Each is a three-dimensional window into the rich history of Cambodia.
Read about other Cambodian temples in this series by Marilyn Jones: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm
Thanks for this whole set of temples…I’m always amazed by the grace and detail of the stone carvings, and by the harmony, whether meant or not, of the coloring.