Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap is a 10th century Cambodian temple that was built in honor of the Hindu God Shiva. This Hindu temple is located in the area of Angkor in Cambodia, near the hill of Phnom Dei, at a distance of about 25 km (15 miles) north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom. Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap is built of red sandstone, as it serves as an apt building material for those structures that comprised of elaborate decorative wall carvings. One can see the exquisite wall carvings of Banteay Srei temple, even today.
Though the building of Banteay Srey Temple in Siem Reap is quite miniature in scale, especially when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction, its intricate carvings and the minuscule dimensions of its architecture have made it extremely popular with tourists who often hail this temple as a "precious gem", or the "jewel of Khmer art." The name of this temple translates to mean the citadel of the women or citadel of beauty and is probably derived from its fine carvings and miniature figurines of many “devatas” or Gods that are carved into the walls of its main building.
Banteay Srey Temple in Siem Reap was sanctified in the year 967 and had the distinction of being the only major temple at Angkor at that time that was not built by a monarch but by a courtier named Yajnyavahara, who used to serve as a counselor to king Rajendravarman. The foundation stela of this temple sings eulogies of Yajnyavahara, describing him as a scholar and philanthropist who helped those who suffered from illness, injustice, or poverty.
Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap was originally named “Tribhuvanamahesvara” which means the great lord of the threefold world, referring to Hindu God Shiva to whom this temple was dedicated. At the time of its construction, this temple was surrounded by a small town called Isvarapura.
Keep browsing travel.mapsofworld.com for detailed online information on Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap and other popular tourist attractions in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
| Tourist Attractions in Siem Reap |
Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple
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The Great Lake Tonle Sap & Floating Fishing |
Phnom Koulen
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Civil War Museum
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Crocodile Farm, Siem Reap
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Angkor Borie, Siem Reap
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Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
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Angkor Zoo, Siem Reap
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Banteay Kdei, Siem Reap
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Banteay Sam Re Temple, Siem Reap
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Banteay Srey Rochna, Siem Reap
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Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap
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Baphuon, Siem Reap
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East Mebon, Siem Reap
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Baksei Chamkrong, Siem Reap
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