Built largely of sandstone that gives it a beautiful rose tint, the first impression that Banteay Srei, the ‘Citadel of the Women’ gives to the visitor is the unusual miniature scale, especially when compared with the other Angkorian constructions.
In a remarkable state of preservation, anastylosis in Angkor has been used here for the first time, the temple is known for the quality and excellence of ornamental technique of lintels and pediments and the many wall niches contain devatas or dvarapalas carvings.
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The site is entered from the east by the outermost gopura probably corresponding to an external enclosure (the fourth), on the fronton Indra, always associated with the East direction, on the three headed elephant Airavata.
An axial causeway leads to the temple. This causeway was once an enclosed by galleries on each side, now gone except for the support pillars. Towards the middle on the north side one should notice a small
ancillary building with a superb fronton where Vishnou in the form of the god-lion Narasimha holds upside-down Hiranya-Kasipu, the king of the Asuras.
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The temple as such is composed of three enclosures. Most of the area within the
third (outer) enclosure is occupied by a moat divided by a causeways.
The gopura of the second enclosure has a superb portico with superimposed triangular frontons with motifs of a refined elegance, on the fronton a
female figure between two elephants.
The gopura of the first enclosure shows a dancing Shiva.
Inside the first enclosure there are two libraries and in the centre the
sanctuary set on a platform. The buildings have undergone complete anastylosis, restored in every detail to their original condition. The decor is enhanced by the numerous antefixes and corner stones.
Decorative motifs include ‘Kalasa’ (symbolic water jar), ‘kala’ (a toothy monster symbolic of time), ‘dvarapala’ (armed protector of the temple) ‘devata’ (demi-goddess), false doors, superimposed
frontons, wall tapestry, bands of foliated scrolls.
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The central sanctuary is formed by three identical towers preceded to the east by a 'mandapa' with lateral doors. The stairways leading up to the platform used to be guarded by kneeling statues now stolen or removed. On the walls delightful statuettes in niches of devatas and male figures.
The second enclosure is crossed by the West gopura, on the east side of the gopura a tympanum with
the duel of the two monkeys Valin and Sugriva. From here one can cross again the moat and walk around the temple complex lit by the sunlight that penetrate the forest canopy.
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The Bas-Reliefs of the Tympana of the two Galleries
Banteay Srei is dedicated to Harihara (Vishnu/Shiva), Vishnu (northern library and northern structures) and Shiva (southern library, and southern structures along the entrance causeway).
Shiva seated on the summit of Mount Kailasa (southern library east pediment) Uma sits on his lap. The ten-headed demon king Ravana is shaking the mountain. On the mountain slopes, in hierarchical order, wise men and ascetics, mythological figures with animals heads and human bodies, and finally larger animals.
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Kama aiming an arrow to Shiva (southern library west pediment) seated on Mount Kailasa and to handing Uma a string of beads. In the mountain slopes, in hierarchical order: ascetics, mythological beings, common people.
The following frontons are inspired by Vishnou legends.
The Rain of Indra (northern library east pediment) indicated by parallel lines to put out a fire started by Agni the god of fire in the Khandava Forest.
Krishna slaying Kamsa his wicked uncle (northern library west pediment) the scene takes place in a wooden palace mounted on poles.
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