Banteay Srei : 10th-Century Hindu Temple : Cambodia : Bipin Shevade

Banteay Srei (बंटी श्री) is a 10th-century Hindu temple in Cambodia, built in 967 by a courtier named Yajnavaraha (यज्ञ वराह) for King Rajendravarman (राजेंद्र वरमन). Originally named Tribhuvanamaheshwara (त्रिभुवन महेश्वर), "the great lord of the three worlds", it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is renowned for its intricate pink sandstone carvings. Some parts of the temple were later dedicated to Vishnu. Located in the area of Angkor, it lies near the hill of Phnom Dei (फीनॉम डे), 25 km north-east of the main group of temples. Due to its remote location, the temple was completely overgrown by jungle and was rediscovered only in 1914 by French explorers. Subsequently, the temple was restored after its rediscovery in the jungle. The first major restoration project was completed in 1936. The temple is constructed from a hard, pink sandstone, which gives it a unique colour and allows for extremely fine and detailed carvings. It is celebrated for its elaborate stone carvings, which are considered the most exquisite in the Angkor complex. The carvings depict figures like apsaras, devatas, mythical animals, and scenes from the Ramayana. Unlike many other temples in the region, Banteay Srei is a smaller, miniature temple. A pediment is a roughly triangular space above a rectangular doorway or openings. At Banteay Srei pediments are relatively large in comparison to the openings below. For the first time in the history of Khmer (खमाय) architecture, scenes of mythological subjects are depicted on the pediments. The temple's modern name, Banteay Srei citadel of the women, or citadel of beauty—is probably related to the intricacy of the carvings found on the walls and the tiny dimensions of the buildings themselves. Some have speculated that it relates to the many devatas carved into the walls of the buildings. Today, Banteay Srei is major part of the Angkor Archaeological Park and is known for being a masterpiece of Khmer art, sometimes referred to as the "jewel of Khmer art". Your Queries - Cambodia's most beautiful carving temple Jewel of Khmer Art Beautiful Banteay Srei - Angkor Archeological Park Mystifying temple of Banteay Srei Cambodia's citadel of beauty Cambodia's citadel of the women #cambodia #banteaysrei #khmerculture #khmerart #hindutemple #siemreap #phnompenh #angkor