Banteay Srei: Innermost Enclosure – A View from the Southwest

Structures in the inner enclosure as seen from the southwest side of the Banteay Srei Temple

Structures in the innermost enclosure – A view from the southwest side

Structures in the innermost enclosure
The innermost enclosure of the Bantaey Sei Temple measures 24 x 24 sq. m with a brick wall enclosing it. Built inside this enclosure are the main temple structures, including two libraries and three sanctuary towers. The central tower, which is dedicated to Shiva, is taller than the other two and has an attached mantapa, a covered hall with an antechamber. Either a Shivalinga or a statue of Shiva once stood in the inner sanctum of this tower.

The image shows a view captured from the southwest side of the inner enclosure. The three sanctuary towers showing their west-facing facades are in the front, and the south library is on the left. Next to the south library and behind the towers is the east gopura.

Located 16 miles northeast of Siem Reap, the Banteay Srei Temple is one of the finest temples in Cambodia. However, it is not well known, mainly because it is not near the Angkor Wat Temple, a World Heritage Site. Fortunately, it is located on the way to the Phnom Kulen mountain range. Combining both these visits would allow the visitors experience the beauty of the Banteay Srei carvings and enjoy the spectacular waterfalls in the Phnom Kulen mountains.

Structures of the Innermost Enclosure
A View from the Northwest
A View from the Southwest
A View from the Northeast

Sanctuary Towers
North Sanctuary Tower – North facing facade
North Sanctuary Tower – West facing facade
North Sanctuary Tower – East Facing Facade
South Sanctuary Tower – East Facing Facade
South Sanctuary Tower – South Facing Facade

Related Pages
Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei
Phnom Kulen, Tonlé Sap, Cambodia
Bali, Prambanan, Prambanan Bas-Reliefs, Borobudur, Indonesia
Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals: Ashta Dikpalas (Guardians of the Eight Directions)

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