AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Known as the "Jewel of Khmer Art," Banteay Srei is a 10th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, celebrated for its exquisite miniature scale and incredibly intricate carvings in pink sandstone. Unlike the massive stone structures of Angkor Wat, this temple feels intimate and delicate, resembling a fairy palace hidden within the forest.↗↗↗
Located 25 km northeast of the main Angkor complex, Banteay Srei is unique because it was not built by a king, but by courtiers and scholars serving the royal family. The temple's red and pink sandstone surfaces are covered in bas-reliefs so detailed they look like woodcarvings, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology with a grace and preservation found nowhere else in the region.↗↗↗
The Jewel of Khmer Art
Banteay Srei stands out among Angkor's temples for its exceptional state of preservation and the fine quality of its stone. The temple is constructed largely of hard pink sandstone (quartz arenite), a medium that allowed artisans to carve details with a sharpness that rivals woodwork. The lintels and pediments feature iconic scenes from Indian mythology, including the demon Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa and the god Shiva dancing.
