Banteay Srei: Walking Tour: Full guide of Banteay Srei Temple

Banteay Srei lies near the hills of Phnom Dei and Kulen some 35 km north-east of Siem Reap. Banteay Srei is built largely of a pinky sandstone. HISTORY Ban-teay Srei means the city of women and is a modern name possibly named by local residents, around 16th or 17th century, because of the intricacy of the carvings found on the walls and the tiny dimensions of the buildings. But the original name of the temple was Tribhuvana Mahesvara which means the great lord of the three worlds (Tri meaning three, Bhuvana meaning world, and Mahesvara refering to the great lord Shiva). The three worlds are: hell, located under our feet; men, located on earth; and the world of gods in heaven. The old town of Ban-teay Srei was Isvarapura, the holy city of Isvara (Lord Shiva). Consecrated 967 A.D. to the Hindu god Shiva, Ban-teay Srei was built by a royal Brahman, named Yajnavaraha and was assisted by his brother Vishnukumara. Yajnavaraha was an advisor to King Rajendravarman 2nd who ruled the Khmer empire from 944-968 A.D. and after the king 11 died he became a guru of the king's son Jayavarman 5th. FUNCTION OF THE TEMPLE From inscription found in the temple there were villages situated around the temple. There were gardens, flowers, birds and animals in the temple. There were many people, both male and female, engaged in the caretaking of the temple and its grounds. The management of the temple was under the supervision of Jajnavaraha. Guests and pilgrims were honored when visiting the temple through the offer of food. Prasat Ban-teay Srei also served as a centre for education, art and culture. The teachers and students used to live on site. The inscription mentioned that Yajnavaraha learned in sacred scriptures, ancient sciences, philosophy, ethics, astrology and Buddhist philosophy. He knew many languages and scripts and he was proficient in dance as well as in instrumental music. He used the knowledge to teach both his younger brother and students in the temple. The site is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is included in the Angkor Pass.