This temple marks a high point in Khmer architecture, although it was by no means the culminating point. It was thought to be 14th century, but in fact was built around AD968 during the reign of Jayavarman V. The name Banteai Srei means `citadel of the women,' and it typified the peaceful, tolerant spirit of the age which encouraged the creation of beautiful buildings. The temple was founded by a [G 08 / brahmin], Yajnavaraha, who was tutor to Rajendravarman and his son.
Banteai Srei is situated about 20 miles northeast of Angkor Thom, and six miles west of Phnom Kulen. Jungle and wildlife - gibbons, butterflies, insects and birds - surround the temple and small farms are nearby. There is a road leading to it which is passable in a jeep and is well worth visiting to see its exquisite carving in pink-colored sandstone.
The layout of the buildings was a new direction in Khmer architecture. The temple complex consisted of a well-planned group of shrines, libraries, courtyards and galleries surrounded by a moat. Three shrines dedicated to [G 34 / Vishnu] and [G 29 / Siva] were on a low platform with library buildings on each side and various subordinate buildings surrounding them. The Sanskrit inscriptions on the typanums of the libraries described the dedications of the shrines to Vishnu and Siva, and other typanums related scenes from the Hindu epic poem, the [G 20 / Mahabharata]. There was a gateway leading into the inner area where the main buildings were located. The whole area was enclosed by a moat and an outer wall with a second outer gateway.
These shrines were built to house great treasures, and beautiful carvings covered them and the libraries. The carvings were executed with such finesse that they appeared almost lacy. The carved faces were sharply defined, but with lots of characterization. The size of the buildings themselves were small, almost petite. Each tower was topped by five tiers decorated with carved figures. The steps up to the shrines were guarded by half-human statues with the heads of monkeys, parrots and wild cats.
The layout of the complex, using several buildings with different functions, would be used in the later great temples. Banteai Srei was not a pyramid temple, as the shrines were built almost at ground level. It was the form and layout of Banteai Srei which, combined with the grandeur of the large pyramid temple, produced the astounding achievement of Angkor Wat.
