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Story
& Pictures by : The Servant.
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All the dimensions of this temple
seem to have been
made in miniature, compared to the vast
scale of many other Angkorian temples.
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"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
maturer years has sadly proved too lovely
to be true. And here it is, in the Cambodian
forest at Banteai Srei, carved not out of
the stuff that dreams are made of, but of
solid sandstone."
Dawn
F Rooney,PHD.
ANGKOR, an excellent guidebook
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Two ends: Male and female
divinities, meticulously carved
to show their clothing and accessories in minute
detail.
Middle left: Intricately decorated false
door.
Middle right: Doorway measuring less than
5 feet in height.
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Ornate mythical figures
and intricate decorations
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intricate decorations
depicting scenes inspired by Indian epics
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The "fairy palace
in the heart of an immense and mysterious
forest....". Its surroundings exude
a sense of calm and serenity rarely found
in Angkor's temple complexes.
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Sculpture of a mythical
figure
with human torso and animal head
guards the stairs
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Perhaps
the most beautiful of all Cambodia's temples, Banteay
Srei is a favourite of almost every visitor to the
Angkor complex in Siem Reap.
Said to have been built by a Brahmin of royal descent,
this small, highly-decorated temple marks a high
point in Khmer architecture. The name Banteay Srei
means 'The Citadel of Women.' All aspects of this
remarkably well - preserved site are intricate and
dainty, giving the temple a distinctly feminine
feel.
Each detail carved into the pink sandstone columns,
walls and bas-reliefs is so finely executed that
the stone at times resembles lace.
The doorways are narrow and measure no more than
about 5 feet in height. Our guide suggested that
they were made like this so visitors bowed as they
entered the temple, to show their humility.
It is not just the doorways of Banteay Srei that
are small; all the dimensions of this temple seem
to have been made in miniature, compared to the
vast scale of many other Angkorian temples.
Figures, foliage and scores of cosmic symbols are
carved into Banteay Srei's lintels. Pillars, walls
and niches are covered with lively scenes from Indian
epics such as the Ramayana. Ornate sculptures of
mythical figures with human torsos and animal heads
guard the temple's stairway. Even the temple's several
false doors are decorated with intricate designs.
Sculpted into almost every corner are male and female
divinities, meticulously carved to show their clothing
and accessories in minute detail.
The temple typifies the tolerant spirit of an era
that encouraged the creation of buildings dedicated
to the |
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Vishnu and Shiva. This pink-colored temple and its
leafy, forest surroundings exude a sense of calm
and serenity rarely found in Angkor's temple complexes.
Banteay Srei is one temple no visitor to Angkor
should miss. |
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Suite
B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
E-mail:
editor@leisurecambodia.com |
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