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BS_GDeichmann_Cambodia_Banteay Srei_677.tif
Banteay Srei during the wet season glowing in the last light of the afternoon.The temple of Banteay Srei or the Citadel of the Women.<br />
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The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, small size and excellence of decoration.<br />
The unanimous opinion amongst French archaeologists who worked at Angkor is that Banteay Srei is a 'precious gem' and a 'jewel in Khmer art'. Banteay Srei, as it is known by locals, was originally called Isvarapura, according to inscriptions. It was by a Brahmin of royal descent who was spiritual teacher to Jayavarman V. Some describe it a s being closer in architecture and decoration to Indian models than any other temple at Angkor. A special feature of the exquisite decoration was the use of a hard pink sandstone (quartz arenite) where enabled the 'technique of sandalwood carving with even an Indian scent to it'.