Banteay Chhmar Temple
Banteay Chhmar Complex · Citadel of Cats
Angkorian Bayon period 1181–1218 CE (Mahayana Buddhist imperial)·Khmer (Angkorian Mahayana Buddhist)·🇰🇭 Banteay Meanchey Province, Thma Puok District, near Thai border (130 km northwest of Siem Reap), Cambodia
Andrew Marino - User: (WT-shared) Andrewjmarino at wts wikivoyage · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
About Banteay Chhmar Temple
Vast Jayavarman VII Buddhist–Hindu temple city (c.1181–1218 CE) in Banteay Meanchey — 9 km² walled complex (outer laterite wall 1.9×1.7 km) enclosing 4.6 ha central temple with enigmatic Bayon-style face towers (14 faces), bas-reliefs of 532-armed Avalokiteshvara Lokeshvara, Chen–Khmer battle scenes, and unfinished carvings indicating abrupt halt at Jayavarman’s death. Built as memorial to Prince Srindrakumara and four generals who protected Jayavarman, Banteay Chhmar is the second largest Angkorian complex after Angkor Thom (second only to Preah Khan), with 8 satellite temples, 2 baray (reservoirs) and moat. On UNESCO Tentative List since 1992.
Why it mattersLargest Jayavarman VII temple after Angkor Thom Bayon; 532-armed Lokeshvara unique; proves Angkorian provincial capital network at Khmer–Thai frontier.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why unfinished — Jayavarman death or Thai war?
- 02Were face towers Buddha or Jayavarman portrait?
Theories
- 01Banteay Chhmar as northwestern Angkorian military–religious bastion
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1181–1218 CE (Jayavarman VII reign)
- Period
- Angkorian Bayon period 1181–1218 CE (Mahayana Buddhist imperial)
- Culture
- Khmer (Angkorian Mahayana Buddhist)
- Builders
- Jayavarman VII (Angkor Thom builder, son of Dharanindravarman II)
- Purpose
- Memorial temple city for crown prince and generals; provincial Buddhist capital near Thai frontier
- Abandoned
- c.14 c. (Thai Ayutthayan incursions; jungle reclaim)
- Rediscovered
- 1910s French surveys; 2007–08 GHF/APSARA stabilization
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1181–1218 CE
Jayavarman VII builds Banteay Chhmar for Srindrakumara and 4 generals
c.14–15 c.
Ayutthayan Thai occupation and looting; faces defaced
1992, 2007–15
UNESCO Tentative; GHF conservation with Sophia University replaces looted panels
On the ground
Structures & features
14.0711° N · 103.0997° E · 55 m · 2 mapped features
Central Bayon-face temple
templeCentral shrine with 14 Bayon-style 4 m face towers and Lokeshvara reliefs
14.0715° N · 103.0995° ENorth baray reservoir
hydraulic1.6×0.8 km reservoir north wall with laterite embankment
14.0800° N · 103.1000° E
Gallery