ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយស្រីBanteay Srey temple (Google map) is a rather small temple built in 967 AD and credited to Yajnavaraha, a royal physician and a counselor at the court of king king Rajendravarman II (rule the Kingdom of Cambodian from 944 - 968), dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is located about 30 km north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom.
Closed-up photo to the carving at the west entrance with such breathtaking recreations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments (carved inlays above a lintel)
Many nicknames were given to the temple: “The lady temple”, “the tiny temple”, “the pink temple”. It has the most beautiful carving and distinct from other temples in the region. Its original name was called Tribhuvanamahesvara, whereas the name Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is a modern one, meaning “citadel of the women” or, “citadel of beauty”. Unlike many others, this temple was built by using pink colour sandstone with elaborate decorative carvings of many devatas (minor female deities) that grace its walls. Some even believe that women did all these beautiful carvings, too fine and detailed unlike men’s work and that’s why it is called the Women temple.
Features of the temple
Enlisted in World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992
One of the greatest masterpieces in Angkor complex-archeological site.
The carving is very detailed
The only temple made from Pink sandstone
Good time to see
Early morning or late afternoon
You need about 1.5hours max to get around this temple with stops for photos and time to admire the work of the sculpture.
Visiting pass
The same as the one to Angkor Wat
You can purchase one 1-day pass, 3-day pass or 6 months or 12 months entrance ticket to visit any temple in Angkor Archeological Park.
1-day pass – US$ 37;
3-day pass – US$ 62;
7-day pass – US$ 72;
12 month pass - US$ 200 (in time of the pandemic: single day passes are upgraded to two days, three day passes to five days and seven day passes to ten days)
Many people only focus on Angkor Wat temple, Bayon temple (big smiling statue), Taprum temple (Tom Raider temple/Angolina Jolie movie scene) or Banteay Srei temple. However, you can visit hundred other temple surrounding the park, including Phnom Krom, Wat Athvea, Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea and the Roluos Group (Bakong temple, Preah Kou temple).
There will be guards at every corner for ticket checking.
Nearby attractions
Changkran Roy Community-Based Ecotourism (Google map)
Hola @Sophia_Cambodia gracias por la etiqueta. Sorprendido por tanta belleza arquitectónica, es un templo hermoso y que buen estado de conservación, ayudado por la arenisca por cierto, pero lo digo, más que nada por qué con todo lo que ha pasado tu País, se le ve intacto.
Admiro a esos o esas maestros artesanos y talladores que lograban esos trabajos con sus manos manejando herramientas rudimentarias. Me refiero a que no tenían elementos tecnológicos de la actualidad.
Noté que algunos bloques son de distintos colores, pero los dibujos continúan perfectamente entre ellos.¿ Son originales o el Templo ha tenido alguna restauración? Vuelvo a decir, se ve impresionante.
Thank you dear @TravellerG , you are right there are so many temples named start with Banteay: Banteay Srei, Banteay Chhmar (I wrote before), Banteay Toap, Banteay Ampil, Banteay Samre, Banteay Toch, …Banteay Kdei. These names used a lot in King Jayavaraman VII. He is the army captain so good with battlefield strategy…
and maybe this is Why many temples named like this. So,
Thank you dear @KamalHossenR it is ancient temple within UNESCO’s site so there is no modification or whatsoever on the temple walls or building. I believe when newly built, there were such things and beautiful too but it has stood there for over 1,000 years. All ancient temple have no color adding. All limestones, sandstone and laterite.
The Most Wonderful Goddess It is like taking 2 eyes to see a very interesting ancient temple.
It’s like the photos you capture are amazing
Full information about this
Thanks for sharing
IMHO, the stone was placing together first and they carve after, or they would break the carving if putting them together later because those are very tiny, detailed and fragile carvings @TusharSuradkar
I only wonder what were the tool they use to carve on stone and with such tiny carving, flowers and styles. It needed so much energy and hard effort to put pieces by piece together. No wonder Angkor Wat temple took 30yearscto complete.
