- Address: National Road No. 6a, Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Phone: +855 12 404 104
- Architectural style: Khmer architecture
- Date of completion: 967
The Kingdom of Cambodia is for the majority of the inhabitants of the world a far-away Asian country that has not yet been fully recognized, has not become familiar with its landscapes and news, but it does not make it less beautiful and interesting when planning the next long-awaited vacation. And if you have already planned to visit the temple complex of Angkor, then be sure to take time and to Banteayrei - one of the most beautiful temples of Cambodia.
What is interesting about the temple of Banteayrei?
The temple was discovered near the tourist city of Siem Reap, the administrative center of the eponymous province, about 25 km from the ancient city of Angkor. It is located at the foot of Mount Phnom Dai in the Cambodian jungle. Nowadays, the town of Bantejsrei is developing near the temple.
A beautiful temple is built in honor of the Hindu god Siva. The main structure is made of red sandstone, and its walls are made of laterite. In translation from the ancient Khmer, the name of the temple means "Citadel of a Woman", but this idea is also suggested by the multiple figures of women among the patterns.
The size of Banteayrei is slightly smaller than all the famous temples in Cambodia, although it refers to the classical Khmer architecture. And the selected materials, thanks to which it is well preserved to the present day, make it especially beautiful. The temple became famous thanks to its ornaments: a jewelry carving on top of a sandstone that covers all the walls with a single canvas and is visible even after a thousand years, and the preserved pink statues of the monkey guards that seem alive and real, as well as numerous surviving buildings.
A moat is dug around the temple wall, it is filled with water, in which all sorts of lotuses grow densely. Also on the territory of Banteayreya there is a very beautiful alley for important processions. Inside the temple was found a stele in honor of the sponsor and founder; it says that Yajnavaraha is a scientist who helps the sick, the afflicted, the poor and the innocent.
History of the temple
Historians know the exact date of the end of the grand construction - 967 year, the temple was erected under the reign of Rajendravarman II. But Bantejsrei was built not by a monarch, but by a court dignitary, adviser and teacher of the successor of Yajnavaraha on his private domains. In 1914, the "Citadel of a Woman" was discovered by the French, but Bantheisreira gained great popularity, which entailed pilgrims and tourists, ten years later. Then the writer Andre Malraux made an unsuccessful attempt to steal statues of four apsaras.
In the 30-ies of the twentieth century in the temple was restored by an anastillosis method Henri Marshal. Since then, the flow of those who want to see the most beautiful relic building is growing every year.
How to get there?
To the temple of Banteajsrei, which is considered the most remote of all temples of Angkor, a noticeable road from a beautiful pink brick leads from the road.
To inspect the ancient city of tourists stop in Siem Reap, from there to Banteayreya by car you will eat in about half an hour on the coordinates, it is also convenient to take a taxi or a passing sightseeing bus.
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