Siem Reap - Banteay Kdei & Phimeanakas

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Banteay Kdei was constructed late 12th to early 13th century as a Buddhist temple. It was constructed over the site of an earlier temple. They used inferior grade of sandstone and poor construction techniques which is the cause of much of the deterioration we saw. There is no record of who it was dedicated to as the foundation stele has not been found. The 13th century vandalism of Buddha images was very apparent at this temple.

Phimeanakas was constructed late 10th century as a Hindu temple. It is the tallest climbable temple in Angkor Thom, but has little in the way of surviving carvings. It has an interesting legend associated with it. The belief was that the golden tower that crowned the temple was inhabited by a serpent, which would transform into a woman. The kings of Angkor were required to make love to the serpent every night or else disaster would befall him and the kingdom. Do you think a man started this legend??

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