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ArchitectureGateway: Prasat Banteay Srei
Gopura or the gateway of Prasat Banteay Srei is decorated with the triangular pediment. The shape of the pediment is obviously derived from the timber origin while the scrolls at the both ends of the gable are associated with the Makara’s trunk. This kind of pediment has been used before at Koh Ker and it has been continued to some Baphoun-period temples, including Preah Vihear.
ArchitectureMandapa: Prasat Banteay Srei
Prasat Banteay Srei is the temple on the flat platform. The central axis is emphasized by the rectangular front-hall (Maṇḍapa) in the east-west axis. This hall is normally functioned as the ceremonial hall for all devotees who were prohibited to enter the sanctum. The front pediment depicts Indra on the elephant Airavata, the god of the east. This god is normally depicted at this direction even though the temple does not belong to him.
SculptureMain Tower: Prasat Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the triple temples rested on the flat platform. The central tower is dedicated to Shiva. Although there is no inscription mentioning to whom the subsidiary ones were dedicated, they are possible to be dedicated to Uma and Ganga, two consorts of Shiva, as the attendants carving on these temple are only female. These towers are made of sandstone, typical to the Late Angkorian period. However the older fashion is still visible, such as the three-sided false doors and the miniature temples that are decorated at the corner of the superstructure.
ArchitectureMain Tower: Prasat Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the temple comprising three towers sharing the same platform. Whereas the central tower was dedicated to Śiva, the flanking towers are not sure to whom did these temple belong. They are however possible to dedicate to his two consorts Umā and Gangā because these temple are only decorated with female attendants. The characters of these three towers are typical to the late Angkorian period. The towers are of stone while the doors are blind. The corners of the superstructure are decorated with the miniature temples, differing from Angkor Wat period temple which is normally decorated by the antefixes.
ArchitectureLibrary: Prasat Banteay Srei
The so-called libraries at Prasat Banteay Srei locate at the north and the south of the main towers. Whereas the narratives at the south one are associated with Śiva, the narratives of the north one Kṛṣṇa. The pediments of these libraries are architecturally interesting as the ending animal sculptures of the gable are varied, including serpants Garuḍa and lions. The edges of the pediments are designed in multi-foils pattern which would have been continued to Baphoun to Bayon period also. The series of pediments are beautified by the side-half pediment s at the both aisles.
ArchitecturePrasat Takeo
The temple composes of the lofty triple platforms supporting five towers, continuing the former pattern as we see before at Pre Rup. It is the first time, however, that the whole temple is made of stone and the doors at the cardinal points are the enterable ones. The connected surrounding gallery is also introduced in the first time here. However, the temple is lack of decoration as the temple is left unfinished.
ArchitectureMain Tower: Prasat Takeo
This is one of the five towers of Prasat Takeo. It is the first time that the whole temple is made of stone and the doors at the cardinal points are the enterable ones. The connected surrounding gallery is also introduced in the first time here. However, the temple is lack of decoration as the temple is left unfinished.
ArchitectureGallery: Prasat Takeo
The surrounding connected gallery is the innovation for Khmer art, firstly introduced at Prasat Takeo. The architect cleverly connected the separated elongate halls at Prasat Pre Rup and designed the new innovation of architecture, the gallery, The four cardinal points of the gallery are punctuated by the gateways. This is also the first attempt of Khmer architects to tile the roof with bricks. This is the first attempt to tile the heavy materials to the roof. The gallery at Takeo is still on the lowest platform whereas, for the later developed one, the gallery would be on the top platform.
