The tenth century temple
of Banteay Srei
Prasat Banteay SreyThe roads have been recently repaired and
it takes about 30 minutes from Siem Reap to get to the temple. To reach Banteay
Srei, follow the main road north out of Siem Reap, turn right at Angkor Wat and
follow the road to Srah Srang where you turn right past Pre Rup.
At the East Mebon there is
a check post where you need to obtain clearnce. Turn right again at the road
before the East Mebon; pass through the village of Phoum Pradak
Banteay Srei is an exquisite miniature; a fairy palace in
the heart of an immense and mysterious forest; the very thing that Grimm
delighted to imagine, and that every child's heart has yearned after, but which
mature years has sadly proved too lovely to be true. And here it is, in the
Cambodian forest at Banteay Srei, carved not out of the stuff that dreams are
made of, but of solid sandstone.
Location: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) north-east of East Mebon
Access: enter and leave the temple by the east entrance
Date: second half of the 10th century (967)
King: Rajendravarman II (reigned 944-968) and Jayavarman V (reigned
968-1001)
Religion: Hindu (dedicated to Shiva)
Art style: Banteay Srei
BACKGROUND
The enchanting temple
of Banteay Srei
The unanimous opinion amongst French archaeologists who
worked at Angkor is that Banteay Srei is a 'precious
gem' and a 'jewel in Khmer art'. Banteay Srei, as it is known by locals, was
originally called Isvarapura, according to inscriptions. It was by a Brahmin of
royal descent who was spiritual teacher to Jayavarman V. Some describe it a s
being closer in architecture and decoration to Indian models than any other
temple at Angkor . A special feature of the
exquisite decoration was the use of a hard pink sandstone (quartz arenite) where
enabled the 'technique of sandalwood carving with even an Indian scent to it'.
