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Banteay Srei temple is considered the sacred ground of female warriors in Cambodia. The temple was constructed to worship Hindu deities and Shiva.
Situated in Siem Reap, Cambodia, within the majestic Angkor complex, Banteay Srei temple stands as a finely crafted miniature of Angkor Wat amidst a vast and mystical ancient forest. The temple was erected to honor Hindu deities and Shiva. Remarkably, it is seen as one of the highest peaks in the ancient Angkorian stone carving artistry.
Banteay Srei temple is often referred to by Vietnamese people as the 'Temple of Female Warriors' and the 'Temple of Construction God.' It resembles a finely crafted miniature version of Angkor Wat nestled amidst a vast and mystical ancient forest. It is located near Phnom Dei hill, approximately 25km northeast of the temple clusters that once belonged to the ancient capital of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom.
Constructed under the reign of King Jayavarman 5, Banteay Srei temple was initially named “Tribhuvanamahesvara” to honor the Hindu deity Shiva. Surrounding the temple are numerous small towers known as Isvarapura, later renamed “Banteay Srei.” Originally built in the 8th century, the temple remained rudimentary without intricate carvings until the 12th century. The elaborate carving on red sandstone continued until the 14th century. The temple is a masterpiece of stone carving artistry, with exquisite bas-reliefs intricately crafted on both onyx and red sandstone. The temple itself is considered the pinnacle of stone artistry, with finely sculpted bas-reliefs depicting intricate floral motifs in a sophisticated and meticulous manner. Modern researchers still haven't proven how they carved on such extremely hard stone blocks.
To access Banteay Srei temple, visitors pass through dense wooded hills, giving the temple the appearance of an oasis. However, the route to Banteay Srei has seen significant improvements compared to previous years. Rows of trees now line the pathway, and the houses within the temple vicinity, once inhabited by locals, have been acquired by the Siem Reap authorities, expanding the heritage site.
The architecture of Banteay Srei temple is quite distinctive, reflecting the influence of Indian Balamon art. The temple consists of three layers: passing through the stone bridge to the temple gate leads to the outer enclosure, crossing the second stone bridge over the now-dry moat leads to the middle enclosure, and finally, the inner enclosure comprises worship halls and two architectural structures known as 'libraries.' Surrounding it is the Isvarapura tower system.
This temple was once forgotten for decades alongside the Angkor Wat complex. In 1914, it was rediscovered by French archaeologists. In 1923, a young French couple, both 22 years old, along with an accomplice, stole many statues from the site and attempted to sell them in Phnom Penh. However, they were apprehended there. The total weight of the stolen statues was 600 kg. They were sentenced to three years in prison but inexplicably, the sentence was not carried out. Since then, Cambodian authorities have undertaken the protection and preservation of the invaluable architecture at Angkor.
Today, the temple has lost many artifacts and sculptures due to the war period from 1975-1979 when the Khmer Rouge attacked Cambodia, destroying the temple and some individuals looted antiquities to sell. The temple remains largely intact today due to restoration efforts aimed at serving tourists from both domestic and international visitors.
Banteay Srey temple stands as a masterpiece of stone carving artistry, with red sandstone and color pigments used to enhance the decorative sculptures on the walls. The entire temple epitomizes the pinnacle of stone artistry with intricate and skillful bas-relief sculptures. Each wall panel, each carving at Banteay Srey contributes to telling a unique story. In addition to carvings of divine serpents, the face of Kala (symbolizing eternal regeneration), the wind god Rehu, and the fire god Agni, there are also legendary figures intertwined with epic tales.
The stories, patterns, details, and motifs are all expressed through masterful stone carvings. It is believed that the carvings at Banteay Srey resemble techniques used on gold and wood more than on stone. The artistic genius of these craftsmen has bestowed upon the Banteay Srey temple complex a mesmerizing allure, captivating all tourists who have had the chance to marvel at the most outstanding sculpture artistry among all wonders of the ancient Angkorian Empire.
Today, Banteay Srey Temple is a renowned tourist destination in Cambodia, attracting many international visitors to explore its exquisite and unique architectural and sculptural artistry. Every year, the temple welcomes over a million domestic and international tourists. If traveling to Cambodia, visitors should take the time to discover this beautiful temple.
Posted by: Spiritual Journey
Keywords: Missing out on visiting Banteay Srei temple in Siem Reap
