Banteay Srei

Cambodia, north of Angkor Consecrated April 22, 967

Located 20km (12mi) north of Angkor, this small but exquisite little jewel of a temple was built by Yajnavaraha, an official of Rajendravarman (944-968) and guru of Jayavarman V (968-1000). As if to make up for its diminutive size (the first, inner, enclosure is a mere 24m, about 80', square), Banteay Srei (pronounced "BAHN-tay SHREE") is carved on every square inch with outstanding fineness and detail.
The temple's second enclosure with gopura is seen here, from just slightly north of east, reflected in the surrounding moat.

Gopura IIE
Banteay Srei

This is the eastern gopura of the temple's second enclosure (previous page), as seen from the outside (east) in the morning sunlight. Banteay Srei was restored in the 1930s, using the technique of anastylosis. This involved analysis and rebuilding of the temple using as much of the original material as possible. New material was used only where structurally necessary, as on the columns seen here.