A hidden temple treasure

Eastern Gopura (Entrance Gateway)

Banteay Srei was commissioned in AD 967 by a Brahmin counselor of King Rajendravarman II and dedicated to the god Shiva. Its location deep in the jungle kept it hidden for centuries, until a French expedition rediscovered it in 1914. A decade later, in one of the 20th century’s most celebrated art scandals, French novelist and art theorist André Malraux was arrested trying to leave the country with several important pieces stolen from the site. The sculptures were returned, and the resulting international attention led to the temple’s restoration in the 1930s using pioneering archaeological methods.

Painstaking preservation

Anastylosis restoration, which involves reassembling structures based on their original materials and positions, was first used at Banteay Srei in the 1930s. The work continues today through a joint venture between the Swiss and Cambodian governments. Though vandalism and pilfering have taken their toll, the installation of a drainage system, as well as measures to slow damage caused by trees, makes this one of the best preserved sites in Angkor.

Pink sandstone reliefs

Banteay Srei’s soft pink sandstone is unique among Angkor’s temples for its delicate beauty and ability to be carved in fine detail, much like wood. Entire scenes from Hindu legend play out on its walls, towers, lintels and pediments, including inlay re-creations of the Ramayana at the western entrance and a depiction of Kamadeva, the God of Love, shooting an arrow to Lord Shiva on the pediment of the southern library.

Duel of the monkey gods

Detailed carvings at the central sanctuary’s west entrance depict the famous duel between monkey brothers Valin and Sugriva from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Animal statues guarding central tower

The nature spirit yaksa guards the entrance to Banteay Srei’s central tower, considered a prime example of ancient Khmer sculpture.

Temple at the crossroads

This large, remote and crumbling ruin lies at the crossroads of an ancient royal highway that once connected it to Angkor and other cities in the Khmer kingdom. Built as a Hindu temple in the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, it’s believed to be the precursor to Angkor Wat, constructed in the same style and with the same floor plan.

Clearing the last landmines

Until recently, the dense jungle and unexploded landmines left over from the Vietnam War made Beng Mealea difficult and dangerous to reach. The landmines were cleared in 2003, and a year later a wooden walkway was built into the central sanctuary for the filming of a movie, finally making it accessible to the public.

Chambers and courtyards

To explore the remote temple of Beng Mealea, you must cross an enormous dry moat, climb over tree roots and rubble, and wander through a series of mysterious subterranean chambers. If you make the journey, you’ll find an Indiana Jones adventure come to life: an ancient building whose walls and roofs are covered in moss and vines, with trees growing out of its crumbling towers and sandstone blocks piled high in its courtyards.

Central tower

Angkor Wat is meant to be an earthly re-creation of the universe in stone. with Its central tower representing Mount Meru, the mythical Hindu home of the gods.

Causeway promenade

Angkor Wat’s harmonious design features a three-tiered pyramid crowned by five towers that resemble lotus buds. Visitors enter from the West over a grand sandstone-paved causeway that crosses a massive rectangular moat before reaching the outer wall.

Depictions of Hindu myths

The Gallery of Bas-Reliefs contains nearly 13,000 square feet of exquisitely intricate sandstone carvings depicting Hindu epics and myths, with a level of detail and quality unequaled anywhere else in the world.

Army of King Suryavarman II

Reliefs in the southwest pavilion of the West Gallery show King Suryavarman II holding court, while his army marches east to battle the Chams led by commanders on elephants.

Heavens and Hells

The east wing of the South Gallery features depictions of the 37 heavens and 32 hells of Hindu myth. In one section, Yama, the god of death, points out the upper and lower roads that take mortal spirits to heaven or hell.

Churning of the Ocean of Milk

The Churning of the Ocean of Milk in the east gallery is the most famous of Angor Wat’s bas reliefs. In it, gods and demons stir up the Ocean of Milk to retrieve the treasures within, among them the elixir of immortality.

Angkor Wat's Apsaras

Angkor Wat features carvings of more than 3,000 unique apsaras (heavenly nymphs), who sport 37 different varieties of hairstyle and headdress.

Statue of Vishnu

An eight-armed statue of Vishnu carved from a single block of sandstone is located in the right-side tower at the western entrance. Pilgrims frequently leave offerings of flower garlands and locks of hair for Vishnu as thanks for good fortune.

Stairs Ascending to heaven

To reach the corner towers and the inner gallery, you must climb three sets of steps. The stairways are deliberately steep to represent the difficulty of ascending to heaven.

Promenade of Gods and Demons

Angkor Thom was rebuilt several times over the course of 500 years. The last and most extensive remodel took place in the 12th century under Jayavarman VII, who erected immense fortifications to protect against invasion. The city walls are meant to symbolize the mountains surrounding Mt. Meru; the moat represents the cosmic ocean.

Angkor Thom entrance gates

The great gates of Angkor Thom are among the most photographed sights in all of Angkor. Rising up 75 feet, they are capped by four monumental faces looking north, east, south and west. The lower half of the gates are made up of three-headed elephants whose trunks serve as pillars.

Temple of Bayon

The temple of Bayon sits at the exact center of Angkor Thom, crowned with 54 towers carved with as many as 2,000 faces. Bayon’s maze of galleries and dark passages are renowned for their detailed bas reliefs that depict historical battles and events, as well as scenes of daily life.

Terrace of the Leper King

The 22-foot-high Terrace of the Leper King remains one of the mysteries of Angkor Thom. Some believe that several Angkor kings may have had leprosy and that the nude statue at the center (a copy) was Yama, the god of death, who presided over the royal crematorium. Others think the figure represents Kubera, the god of wealth, who was also a leper. Learn more at the Google Cultural Institute.

Kneeling deity

This head was once part of an 8-foot-tall kneeling deity, one of 54 that line the causeway guarding the south entry to Bayon temple. Scholars believe the statues illustrate the Hindu myth of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Learn more at the Google Cultural Institute.