Banteay Srei, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Banteay Srei
Cambodia
Banteay Srei is an exquisite Angkor ruin located about 20 kilometers north of the Angkor Archaeological Park. The name Banteay Srei, which means "Citadel of the Women" is a modern Khmer name. The original name of Banteay Srei, as taken from its central linga, is Tribhuvanamahesvara, meaning "Great Lord of the Threefold World".
Despite its small size and distance, Banteay Srei is famous for having the best carvings in Angkor. It is a temple of great beauty that the other, much bigger temples could not compare. It was built in the 2nd half of the 10th century, during the reign of Rajendravarman. Unlike the other temples at Angkor, which are mostly built by kings, Banteay Srei was built by an important dignitary who served during the reign of King Rajendravarman II and King Jayavarman V. According to inscriptions found in this temple, work on it started in 967 AD, with support from his brother and sister.
Banteay Srei was built to face east. It comprises three concentric enclosures offset slightly towards the west. Entering it is through a causeway from the east. The temple consists of three sanctuary towers arranged north-south. An antechamber called mandapa is connected to the central tower by a corridor called antarala. Flanking the ensemble are detached structures called "libraries".
Banteay Srei was discovered by the French in 1914, and achieve notoriety when André Malraux - the future Minister of Culture under Charles de Gaulle - was apprehended for removing four apsara dancers from its wall in 1923. Banteay Srei was restored using the anastylosis technique which was adopted from the Dutch working on Borobudur.
The route to Banteay Srei is similar to the one to Banteay Samre. From Siem Reap, take the road towards East Mebon. Take a right turn (eastward) somewhere between Pre Rup and East Mebon, about 14km from Siem Reap. After that, go straight on that road. The road will pass a small Cambodian village (the name of the village is Pradak). Here, you see a T-junction to the left (northward). Turn left at that junction. After that, it is a long journey. You see the hill, Phnom Bok, on your right. At 17.5 km from Pradak, the road forks into two. Take the left fork. 1 km after the fork, you pass Banteay Srei village. Another 800 meters farther you cross the bridge over the Siem Reap River. The temple of Banteay Srei is just about 300 meters after that, along a bend in the road. Most tuk-tuk drivers in Siem Reap would be familiar with the route to Banteay Srei.
