Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey (KHMER: ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយស្រី) is a 10th century CAMBODIAN temple dedicated to the HINDU god SHIVA. Located in the area of ANGKOR in CAMBODIA. It lies near the hill of PHNOM DEI, 25 km (16 mi) north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of YASODHARAPURA and ANGKOR THOM. Banteay Srei is built largely of red SANDSTONE, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”, or the jewel of Khmer art.

Banteay Srei is a Khmer temple dedicated to the ancient Hindu God Shiva which was constructed in the 10th century and consecrated about 962. Following the destruction of Angkor by the Siamese armies this Temple was left to be covered in forest until it was rediscovered in 1914. We now know the history of the monuments from the original stone stela which was discovered in 1936.It is located 25 kilometers north east of Angkor Thom. It is the fourth most interesting set of monuments after ANGKOR WAT, ANGKOR THOM and the Bayon and PREAH KHAN. The trip by road vehicle also offers a good view of Cambodian countryside.The name ”Banteay Srei in Khmer means ” Citadel of Women ”. Originally it was called a Shiva Temple ”Great Lord of the Threefold World”. The name, Citadel of Women, today has no significance save it may refer to the numerous BAS RELIEF CARVINGS of DEVATAS throughout the monuments.