Banteay Srei Temple - Siem Reap Province
Constructed: Late 10th century C.E.
Religion: Hindu (Shiva)
King/Patron: Rajendravarman
Style: Banteay Srey
Religion: Hindu (Shiva)
King/Patron: Rajendravarman
Style: Banteay Srey
Consecrated in 967 A.D, Banteay Srei was
speculated to have been known earlier as Banteay Serai, which literally
means the Citadel of Victory. This was the only major temple at Angkor
not built by a monarch; its construction is credited to a courtier
named Yajnavaraha, who was a scholar and philanthropist and a counselor
to king Rajendravarman. He was known to have helped those who suffered
from illness, injustice or poverty.
Banteay Srei is built primarily in red
sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall
carvings which are still observable in fine details today. Measured by
the standards of Angkorian construction, the buildings themselves are
miniature in scale. These factors have led to its being widely praised
as a ‘precious gem’, or the ‘jewel of Khmer art’ and perhaps the
temple’s modern name, Banteay Srei or Citadel of Women, is probably
related to the intricacy of the bas relief carvings of devatas found on
the walls and the tiny dimensions of the buildings themselves.
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