Wednesday 7 AM, we travel to Banteay Srei, a 10th century Hindu temple that predated everything we’ve seen. Much more ornate and preserved, it’s called the Lady Temple because of the carefulness of the work.
Some how I missed Darma, the Creator. But she, Shiva and Vishnu are the theee most important entities. There are hundreds, and many have reincarnated 5-10-20 times with a new manifestation each time. Gonna leave it there.
In the afternoon we toured the Rouluos Group, current name of Hari Haralya, the capitol city of Cambodia in the late 9th Century
The emperor Rouluos, like Jaya 7 sought to make space for both Hindu and Buddhist – placing Buddhist monasteries and temples on the grounds of Hindu temples.
The first, Preah Ko was brick covered with Stucco and built to honor Shiva (lots of Nandi). It also included a tower, out of the way in the back, for his In-laws.
The second, Bakong Temple was also for Shiva and included the King’s stupa. . It was the first five tier temple and the first to include stand alone Naga on the causeways.
The third, Lolei Temple was built in 893 AD in the center of a reservoir. It is compact but beautiful. A series of gates and Naga connected it to land and it included boat landing docks on the far side (we parked there as the reservoir is now dry.)
Mac and Juju explore Southeast Asia 