Banteay Srei

Among all temples in Siem Reap, Banteay Srei has the most delicate and well-preserved bas-relief and carvings. The temple is apparently smaller than Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm but this pink sandstone religious complex is perhaps the most beautiful in Siem Reap. The Hindu temple, also known as the ‘citadel of women’, was built by a Brahin spiritual teacher of King Jayavarman V in the 10th century. The name ‘citadel of women’ probably derived from intricate carvings of Apsara – female fairies in the Ramayana – in niches. Indeed, all of the towers are meticulously carved from the base to the top.

Like most of the Angkorian temples, Banteay Srei is rectangular in plan and enclosed by walls and a moat. The temple is accessible by a 67-meter long causeway flanked by 32 square sandstone pillars. The main temple is surrounded by libraries, terraces and galleries. All of them are well decorated and still in almost a pristine state. Each gate and pediment is and adorned by charming lintel carved in the motifs of battle scenes, deities, tree-headed elephants and giant serpents. The wall is carved in a tapestry like image and adorned by false windows while the pillars have delicate plant motifs. The main towers are renowned for beautiful carvings of male and female divinities standing in recessed niches. Each of them are carved in perfect proportion with loosely draped skirts and accessorised by jewellery such as earrings, belts, bracelets and necklaces.

Banteay Srei is about twenty-five kilometers north of Angkor Wat and accessible by car.