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Banteay Samre

 

 

Built at about the same time as Angkor Wat, Banteay Samre, or Citadel of the Samre” is named after a mountain people related to the Khmer.  This was one of the most completely restored sites in Angkor but suffered thefts during the Khmer Rouge period and after because of its somewhat isolated location.  There are three rings, an enclosure wall, an enclosed walkway, and a central sanctuary, two libraries, and a long hallway within the central courtyard.  Between the buildings in the center and between the 2nd ring and the enclosure wall were moats.  This was a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu.  The carving work shows incredible detail and is highlighted below.  For the two hours I wandered this temple, the only other visitors was a priest and his dog.

Outer Ring and Moat – Images of the outer moat and enclosure wall and views from the hallways in the two outer rings.
Inner Buildings – Pictures of the two libraries and the walkway and landing stages on the inner moat.  A sub-directory shows the photos of the Naga balustrade.
Central Sanctuary – Photos of the central sanctuary from various vantage points.  The reliefs on the upper levels of the sanctuary are of Buddhist scenes.
Door Art – Numerous close ups of the art on the entrance columns, frontons, and lintels of doorways of the inner ring and central buildings.  The outer ring, which was built at a later date, generally does not have the architectural detail. 
Windows – Several good examples of Angkor Wat style windows with balusters that have not been walled up.