Banteay Srei

Overview

Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located 25 km northeast of the main Angkor group. Despite its small size, it is celebrated as the 'jewel of Khmer art' for its exquisitely detailed pink sandstone carvings, which are among the finest in the world.

Highlights

• Intricate Carvings: Lintel and pediment carvings so detailed they appear more like woodwork than stone, depicting Hindu mythological scenes.
• Pink Sandstone: The unique reddish-pink stone glows warmly in morning and late-afternoon light.
• Miniature Scale: The unusually small scale of the buildings creates an intimate, jewel-box atmosphere.

History

Unique among Angkor temples, Banteay Srei was not built by a king but by a Brahmin counsellor named Yajnavaraha, who served Rajendravarman II. It was consecrated in 967 CE. The French writer André Malraux notoriously stole four devata figures from the site in 1923, leading to his arrest and trial.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Visit in the morning when the pink sandstone catches the early light.
• Tip 2: Combine the trip with nearby Kbal Spean (the River of a Thousand Lingas), a 45-minute drive further into the hills.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours at the temple, plus travel time.