The citadel of the women” the most beautiful carving temples

December 08, 2021

The citadel of the women” the most beautiful carving temples

ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយស្រី Banteay Srey temple (Google map) is a rather small temple built in 967 AD and credited to Yajnavaraha, a royal physician and a counselor at the court of king king Rajendravarman II (rule the Kingdom of Cambodian from 944 - 968), dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is located about 30 km north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom.

Closed-up photo to the carving at the west entrance with such breathtaking recreations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments (carved inlays above a lintel)

Many nicknames were given to the temple: “The lady temple”, “the tiny temple”, “the pink temple”. It has the most beautiful carving and distinct from other temples in the region. Its original name was called Tribhuvanamahesvara, whereas the name Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is a modern one, meaning “citadel of the women” or, “citadel of beauty”. Unlike many others, this temple was built by using pink colour sandstone with elaborate decorative carvings of many devatas (minor female deities) that grace its walls. Some even believe that women did all these beautiful carvings, too fine and detailed unlike men's work and that's why it is called the Women temple.

Features of the temple

Enlisted in World's Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992
One of the greatest masterpieces in Angkor complex-archeological site.
The carving is very detailed
The only temple made from Pink sandstone

Good time to see

Early morning or late afternoon
You need about 1.5hours max to get around this temple with stops for photos and time to admire the work of the sculpture.

Visiting pass

The same as the one to Angkor Wat
- You can purchase one 1-day pass, 3-day pass or 6 months or 12 months entrance ticket to visit any temple in Angkor Archeological Park.
- 1-day pass – US$ 37;
- 3-day pass – US$ 62;
- 7-day pass – US$ 72;
- 12 month pass - US$ 200 (in time of the pandemic: single day passes are upgraded to two days, three day passes to five days and seven day passes to ten days)
- Many people only focus on Angkor Wat temple, Bayon temple (big smiling statue), Taprum temple (Tom Raider temple/Angolina Jolie movie scene) or Banteay Srei temple. However, you can visit hundred other temple surrounding the park, including Phnom Krom, Wat Athvea, Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea and the Roluos Group (Bakong temple, Preah Kou temple).
- There will be guards at every corner for ticket checking.

Nearby attractions