We were up at 6. It was a 45 minute drive up to Bantaey Srei, past the main Angkor area.
Bantaey Srei (citadel of women) was the only major temple that was not built by a king. It was constructed in 967 by Yajnavaraha, grandson of king Harsavarman I. He was a scholar, philanthropist, Brahmin priest, counselor and royal physician of King Rajendravarman II.
It's smaller than other Angkor monuments probably because it would be considered disrespectful to build something grander than a royal temple. The Hindu temple is mostly built of a hard red sandstone that can be carved like wood. There were zillions of incredible carvings!
The temple was rediscovered in 1914 and reconstructed during the 1930’s.
