Banteay Srei Temple

Banteay Srei is another 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Its name means 'Citadel of the Women' or 'Citadel of Beauty' probably referring to its size and intricate carvings.  Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, possibly because this was not a royal temple. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a "precious gem", or the "jewel of Khmer art."

Indra on his three-headed elephant, Airavata.

This picture reminds me of books on a bookshelf. 

Inscription on a doorframe. 

The details of these carvings are just amazing.

 While we have really enjoyed visiting all these different temples, I'm pretty sure we've seen enough temples to last a lifetime! I'm so proud of how the kids handled all of them.  Even when they were tired they didn't complain.

Pre Rup Temple

Pre Rup was built in 961, and the name means "turn the body". This reflects the common belief among Cambodians that funerals were conducted at the temple, with the ashes of the body being ritually rotated in different directions as the service progressed.

These were some seriously steep stairs!

Lions guarding the staircase.

Grace sitting in front of the Devata 

Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Next up was Phnom Bakheng for a view of the sunset.  Unfortunately, it was pretty overcast so we didn't get the full effect, but it was still pretty, and to be honest, we were so tired by that time that we didn't really care...

"Phnom Bakheng is a Hindu temple in the form of a temple mountain. Dedicated to Shiva (a Hindu god), it was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman.  It is a symbolic representation of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods, a status emphasized by the temple’s location atop a steep hill."

 

Here's a little tidbit I found interesting when looking up information on this temple: "Jean Filliozat of the Ecole Francaise, a leading authority on Indian cosmology and astronomy, interpreted the symbolism of the temple. The temple sits on a rectangular base and rises in five levels and is crowned by five main towers. One hundred four smaller towers are distributed over the lower four levels, placed so symmetrically that only 33 can be seen from the center of any side. Thirty-three is the number of gods who dwelt on Mount Meru. Phnom Bakheng's total number of towers is also significant. The center one represents the axis of the world and the 108 smaller ones represent the four lunar phases, each with 27 days. The seven levels of the monument represent the seven heavens and each terrace contains 12 towers which represent the 12-year cycle of Jupiter. According to University of Chicago scholar Paul Wheatley, it is 'an astronomical calendar in stone.'"

 This is Baksei Chamkrong. 

It was built during the early 10th century at the foot of Phnom Bakheng.  It is the only pyramid temple in this area that survives from that era.

Still smiles at the end of a long day.

Angkor Thom

Our next temple to visit was Angkor Thom, or the "Great City".  It was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire.  It was built in the late 12th century by king Jayvarman VII. The area has several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors.

 

We took a drive by the Terrace of the Elephants:

 Then it was over to Bayon.

  Bayon was built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the center of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. 

Everywhere they go, these toe-heads attract attention. 

Maybe I should have left my hat on... 

David saw what Thy was doing and puckered up! 

More tuk-tuks 

The South Gate

Entrance to Angkor Thom 

We got a kick out of all the things they carried on mopeds!