Banteay Srei
| Banteay Srei | |
|---|---|
| Khmer name | បន្ទាយស្រី |
| Also known as | Tribhuvanamaheshvara |
| Site type | Temple |
| Location | Angkor, Siem Reap |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Period | 10th century CE |
| Subjects | Religion & Spiritual Life; Visual Arts & Design |
Banteay Srei is a temple in Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia. (Wikipedia)
History
Banteay Srei was constructed by the courtiers Vishnukumara and Yajnavaraha, who served as counsellors to King Rajendravarman II, and was originally surrounded by a town called Ishvarapura. The temple came under royal control at some point and was rededicated to Shiva in 1119 CE; it remained in use at least until 1303 CE. It was rediscovered in 1914, cleared in 1924, and restored in the 1930s through the first important use of anastylosis at Angkor. (Wikipedia)
Significance
The temple was primarily dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and was originally named Tribhuvanamaheshvara, meaning great lord of the threefold world; its buildings also include areas devoted to Vishnu. Banteay Srei is widely praised as the jewel of Khmer art because of its elaborate red-sandstone carvings, miniature buildings, and decorated lintels and pediments. Its decorative scenes depict Hindu mythological subjects including Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Krishna, Indra, Rama, and figures from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. (Wikipedia)
Stewardship
The joint Cambodian-Swiss Banteay Srei Conservation Project installed a drainage system between 2000 and 2003 and took measures to prevent damage from nearby trees. Authorities removed some original statues and replaced them with concrete replicas, while a statue of Shiva and Parvati was removed to the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh for safekeeping. (Wikipedia)
Visiting
In 2010, the first enclosure was open to visitors again, but the inner temples were roped off and inaccessible. The temple is extremely popular with tourists. (Wikipedia)