Banteay Srei, the jewel in the crown of Angkorian Art

There's a reason why Banteay Srei is called the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art; the intricacy of its stone carvings will astound you.

We learnt from our local guide that this temple is also known as the 'Citadel of the Women', the reason attributed to this nickname is that the delicate ornamentation on each of its stone walls could only be the work of dainty female hands. Also, the temple is small, rendering it an air of femininity.

This beautiful 10th-century CE temple is dedicated to the Hindu Gods Shiva and Parvati.

The entire temple is made of intricately carved stones with a pink hue, rendering the temple a delicate pinkish colour that makes it look heavenly in the evening light. h

Each stone is carved with jaw-dropping precision!!

Here are a few tips that may come in handy during your visit to the Banteay Srei Temple...

• Banteay Srei lies in the Angkor area, 25 km from the main group of temples. You will need a cab or a tuk-tuk to reach it.

• Entry to the temple is included in the Angkor Day Pass. If you wish to see this temple, then you may extend your day's itinerary by 2 hours. Buying a separate ticket for 37 USD for another day is not a great idea, considering that you need only two extra hours.

• The road leading to the temple is nice and paved, and it will take you through interesting neighbourhoods of Siem Reap with shops and houses lining both sides of the road. I find these road journeys very intriguing because, as a tourist, one gets to see the everyday lives of the local people up close. So, you should sit back and enjoy the ride.

• The temple is surrounded by beautiful green patches and thick trees, where you can relax and take in the surroundings if you wish. There is also a small local market before the entrance to the temple, where you will find interesting souvenirs and eateries.

• En route to Banteay Srei from Angkor Wat is another beautiful temple called Pre Rup Temple. This temple is a bit underrated, although I found it very appealing. I have written more about this temple in my blog on Siem Reap

• Banteay Srei is much smaller compared to the other temples of the Angkor area, but you should keep aside one hour to see it and fully appreciate its master craftsmanship.

• The temple is entirely in the open with no shade anywhere, so carry water, sunshades, an umbrella or whatever you think is necessary.

• A very important thing to remember is that Banteay Srei lies a little away from the main group of temples, so most cab drivers and local guides will charge extra to cover it in your itinerary. You should decide on that extra amount beforehand to avoid any misunderstanding later.

  
  

To sum up, I'd say that spending extra time and money on visiting the beautiful Banteay Srei Temple is worth it. While Angkor Wat commands attention owing to its architecture and massive size, Banteay Srei wins hands down with the intricacy of its architecture.