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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.
SculptureLintel
Lintel is an architectural part that is found in Khmer art. It is always placed on top of the entrance gate. Lintels in Banteau Srein art are the mixture if Koh Kae and Phra Kho arts. The storytelling scene is in the middle of the lintel and the garland curves down to the bottom part of the lintel. The garland is decoated with leaves with Uba inserted within the leaves. This is the same with Phra Kho art. A distinctive feature of this lintel is the decoration of the quarter part of the garland with “ an animal face biting the garland”. This is the model for the quarter Uba in Bapuan art.
SculpturePediment Carved of Narashimha
The pediment is in the shape of triangle composing of multi-foils pediment edge. At the both ends of the pediment are the multi-headed serpents anticipating the normal style of the pediment in the later Angkorian Period. In the middle of the pediment is the figure of Narasimha tearing the chest of the demon Hiranyakashipu.
SculpturePediment Carved of Umamaheswara
The triangular Pediment is straighten up vertically. Above it, is an arch in a wavy pattern. The beautiful wavy style on the arch is systematic. The the both ends of the arch are the multi-headed nagas as in the pattern of architecture of the late Angkor Period. The center part of the Pediment depicted the story of Umamaheswara.
