BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE

BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE
(The citadel of the women) “Isvara-pura”
- Location : 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) northeast of Angkor Thom (Bayon).
- Access : enter and leave it from the east entrance.
- Date : second half of the 10th century (967).
- King : during the reign of Rajendravarman 2nd (944-968), “Sivaloka” with a priest (Yajnavaraha and Jayavarman 5th 968-1001), “Paramasivaloka” with a priest (Vishnukoma).
 - Religion : Hinduism (Siva). - Art-style : Banteay Srei.
 - Clearance worked by Mr. Henri Parmentier and Victor Goloubew in the year 1924.
 - Restoration by Mr. Henri Marchal (1931-1936).
 - Mr. Andre Malrau (Frenchman) stole some pieces of the sandstone carvings on December 1923.
 - A lieutenant, Marec, discovered it in 1914, Frenchman when geographical service was done.

 1. BACKGROUND
The enchanting temple of Banteay Srei is nearly everyone’s favorite temple. The special charm of this small temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation and excellence is of decoration. The unanimous opinion among the Frenchman (Maurice Glaize) archaeologist who worked at Angkor mentioned that Banteay Srei is “The Precious Stone or The jewel of Khmer Art”. Banteay Srei was built by a high priest (Yajnavaraha) and his brother (Vishnukoma) aon April or May 1967, the last year of the reign of Rajendravarman 2 and the beginning of the reign of his son Jayavarman 5th that was informed by the inscription that engraved in 968. They found it at the temple in the year 1936. The inscription also said about a Linga in the main tower (Sri-tribhuvanamahesvara) and another Linga in the south tower and an image of the god Vishnu in the north tower. Banteay Srei was a short temple which had 3 towers stood on side-by-side on a low common platform 1 meter high and opening to the east and the other 3 sides were false-door. The main tower was 9.8 meters high stored the statue of the god Siva and Uma and the north tower was 8.35 meters high kept the statue of god Vishnu and the south tower was 8.35 meters high that stored a Linga. 3 walls enclosed this temple. Well! Now we all enter the temple from the east entrance and walk through the cross-shaped laterite gate, its pediment depicted Indra (god of the sky and cloud) was riding on an elephant with 3 heads. After we walk through this entry gate, we can see sandstone pillars on its both sides formerly decorated a long dramatic laterite causeway. On the both sides of this causeway there are 2 laterite galleries, the pillars made of sandstone and the roof made of timber, but today nothing left. Behind the galleries to the south, there are 3 long parallel halls which were used as long halls for meditation. A pediment on the central hall depicted (Siva and Uma) was riding on a bull (Nandin). On the north side of the galleries there is a single hall with a superb pediment depicted the god Vishnu in his incarnation as the man lion (Narashimha) that tearing the demon king (Hiranyakshakashipu) who dared to compare to the god. At the end of the causeway on the right hand side, we can see a pediment lying on the ground in front of the east gate of the first wall, depicted the Indian story (Ramajana), when Sita, wife of Rama was kidnapped by Ravana (demon king). The first wall is (95 meters wide by 115 meters long) which had 2 entry gates (east and west), but the east gate we see the inscription dating from the year 968. The west pediment of this gate told the story of (Tilottama Apsara) was created by god in order to discord 2 brothers (Sunda and Upsunda) formidable Asuras who sowed harm in the universe and also mentioned the 2 brothers caught one Apsara and each claimed that she was his, it is the (Mahabahrata story). And was taken to (Guimet Museum in Paris). In the courtyard, there is a moat is always with water. The second laterite wall is (38 meters wide by 42 or 45 meters long) with 2 entry gates. The east entry gate is in the shape of across with 3 pediments that would recall the construction in wood, which are framed by large terminal scrolls. The pediments are in the same type which is found at Koh Ker 10th century and Preah Vihear 11th century in the north of Cambodia. The inner pediment of this gate also depicted (Shri), wife of Vishnu sat on a lotus flower between 2 elephants with raised trunks sprinkling holy water on her. In the courtyard of the second wall, we can see 6 laterite halls, 2 halls are on the east side and 2 on the west side and the other 2, one on the north and south, they were covered by timber-roof (nothing left) and may have served as rest houses. Next to this wall we can see the statue of Nandin (sacred bull) crouching in front of the east gate of the brick wall, which is (24 meters for each side) with 2 entry gates. The east pediment of the east gate depicted (Siva) dancing under the name (Nataraja) and on the side of Siva; we can see a skinny woman called (Karikalamaya). The lintel below it also shows the incarnation of god Vishnu (Kalkin, man-horse) prostrated 2 demons. The west pediment of the same gate talking about the goddess (Durga) with 8 arms aided by her lion, which fights against a buffalo monster (Mahing-Asura-madini) that is locked up by a snake. And the lintel below depicted the man lion (Narashimha) who fights against the demons.

 2. CENTRAL GROUP
In the courtyard of the brick wall we can see 2 libraries (left and right) which opening to the west.
 A. LEFT LIBRARY (South Library)
 East pediment : depicted Ravana with multiple arms and heads that try to shake the mountain (Kailasa) that is represented by a pyramid on a background of the stylized forest. Siva sits on his throne at the summit of the mountain when his wife Parvati cuddles up to him. Ravana wants to distract Siva’s meditation and shakes it with all his might. The creature and hermits and animals that live on the forests or mountain express their terror and flee into the jungle. On the first step the monkey raises his hand perhaps to warn Ravana, one day the monkeys will destroy him. At the summit Siva prepares to bring the whole weight of the mountain up on Ravana with his toe. The mountain falls on Ravana and crushes him under its mass. Ravana acknowledges Siva’s power and sings his praises fro 1,000 years. As a reward god Siva sets him free and gives him sacred sword (Ramayana Story). Wert pediment : depicted Siva on the top of Himalayas Mountain in meditating and living the life of an ascetic, Parvati tries to distract Siva, but she fails and is disappointed that he doesn’t notice her. The god ask (Kamadeva, god of love) to assist Parvati and help her distract Siva’s meditation. Kamadeva shoots one of his flowery arrows into Siva’s heart. Later, he is angry and shoots a fiery ray from his frontal eye, reducing Kamadeva to be ashes. A group of ascetics below Siva and guardians with human bodies and animal heads come to complete the scene.
 B. RIGHT LIBRARY (North Library)
East pediment : depicted Indra (god of the sky and cloud) who caused the scattering celestial rain (parallel rows of oblique lines) on the stylized forest inhabited by animals. Indra rides in a chariot drawn by an elephant with 3 heads and is surrounded by winds and clouds (wavy lines). A serpent rises in the mist of the rain. Krishna was a baby and his brother (Balarama) holding the shaft of a plough. This story was illustrated from a scripture (Hiravamsa). West pediment : the scene takes place at a palace and the theme concerns Krishna, who kills his cruel uncle king (Kamsa) because that king tries to kill him when he was a child. Krishna clutches king Kamsa by his hair and throws him off this throne. This palace decorated with 2 levels and was supported by columns. This story was illustrated from 2 scriptures (Bagavata Purana and Hiravamsa).

 3. DIVINITY AND DIVINE ON THE 3 TOWERS
A. MIDDLE TOWER
The male guardians are in the niches, their hair is swept up in a cylindrical chignon and they hold a lotus bud in one hand and a lance in another hand. North Lintel : it shows the battle between the monkeys (Valin and Sugryva). South Lintel : depicted a demon (Rakshashakmuka) disguised as a wild boar, was killed by (Arjuna and Siva), “Mahabharata”. East Lintel : Indra, god of rain is riding on an elephant with 3 heads (Airavana). West Lintel : Ravana (demon king) kidnapped Sita.
 B. NORTH TOWER AND SOUTH TOWER
Both towers were decorated with female divinities and have plaited hair, simple dress, heavy ear-ring that weighs down the earlobes and garlands of pearls that hang from their belts and their skirts are loosely draped.
 C. NORTH TOWER
North Lintel : depicted younger brother of (Arjuna called Hema or Pima) tears out the demon (Chakronta) into 2 pieces.
 West Lintel : god Vishnu with 4 arms that stood on the shoulders of Garuda (divine vulture). D. SOUTH TOWER West Lintel : Varuna (god of water and rain) is riding on a sacred swan (Hamsa). South Lintel : Yama (god of death and supreme court) is riding on a water buffalo.