Angkor - The Banteay Srey Temple sits north of the landmine museum. This temple is unique and goes by many nicknames over the years, as “The lady temple”, “the tiny temple”, “the pink temple”. A much smaller temple to the imposing grandeur of the Angkor wat and was built much earlier.
The reddish coloured sandstone, which gives Banteay Srei its nickname of the “pink” temple, is soft and can be carved like wood. This helps explain the masses of ornamental decoration all over the building.
Virtually every available surface features intricately portrayed stories and motifs. However it is the inner enclosure housing the two libraries and the sanctuary which features the most elaborate carvings
The temple is predominantly dedicated to Shiva, and so many of the carvings are centered around his figure, although Vishnu does also feature heavily in the buildings on the south side.
Classic carvings at Banteay Srei include delicate women with lotus flowers in hand and traditional skirts clearly visible, as well as breathtaking recreations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments (carved inlays above a lintel).
Donny and me |
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