The Hindu temple to Shiva, Banteay Srei, benefits from being made from red sandstone, a material perfect for elaborate carvings which adds a colourful beauty to them when they’re finished. Because of that, this temple is considered one of the most artistic of Angkor – artists, archaeologists and historians all appreciate the intricacy of the designs. The name of the temple probably comes from the carvings as well – it means ‘Citadel of the Women’ or ‘Citadel of Beauty’ – but there are some scholars who say the name may be related to the temple’s smaller dimensions.

Keep an eye out amongst the carvings for the kala, a toothy monster, dvarpala, the armed temple guards with their swords pointed downwards like resting knights, and apsaras, divine nymphs or dancing girls.

Unfortunately the more beautiful and intricate the carvings the more susceptible they are to damage and looting – there have been several cases of people removing parts of the temple and in the last few years some of the main statues have been removed and placed in a museum for safe keeping. The concrete replicas they’ve been replaced with have since been attacked by vandals!

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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