Guide to Banteay Samre Temple

Smart guide to Banteay Samre temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia to explore ancient Hindu temples. It was built in the 12th century, during the reign of King Suryavarman II.

Banteay Samre was constructed in the 12th century under the rule of King Suryavarman II and completed by King Yasovarman II. This Hindu temple was built to encourage farming. It is to the east of King Yasovaraman’s Baray, a large water reservoir.

Temple Facts

Date: 12th century

King: Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II

Dedicated to: Vishnu

Style: Angkor Wat temple

Bateay Samre Temple Location

Banteay Samre was constructed around 20 kilometers east of Angkor. Tuktuk will get you there in 30 minutes. You can see how our locals live and work in their village on the way to this temple.

Why visit Banteay Samre?

Banteay Samre is a stunning temple complex located in the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This complex is one of the best-preserved temples of the Angkorian period and offers visitors an amazing opportunity to discover ancient history and architecture. Here, you can explore the intricate bas-reliefs on the walls, impressive towers, and galleries, as well as unique features such as a false door and walkway. This temple complex also shows how the Khmer people used to think about religion many years ago.

The beautifully preserved carvings on Banteay Samre’s walls tell stories about their gods and myths, while its towers offer wonderful views of the surrounding area. Additionally, this site is home to several important statues, such as a representation of Vishnu reclining on a seven-headed serpent that was carved during the reign of King Suryavarman II in 1112 CE.

Visiting Banteay Samre is an experience like no other that will take you back in time to explore one of Cambodia’s greatest historical sites. Not only will you have the chance to marvel at its unique architecture, but you’ll also learn more about its rich history and culture.

Banteay Samre Tour and Activities

The best way to explore this stunning ancient site is to take part in one of our recommended tours or activities.

You will need a private Angkor Wat tour guide who is knowledgeable and will show you around the ruins while telling you about the history and importance of each building.

The most popular tour itinerary with this temple is to start a three-day Angkor Wat tour; there will be enough time at the main temples to explore Angkor archaeology sites.

Banteay Samre Temple Layout and Design

Banteay Samre is a medium-sized temple with 77-by-83-meter walls and two causeways that span more than 200 meters on either the east or west side. This temple was constructed under the rule of King Suryvarman II, who had also worked on Angkor Wat and Thamanon, making it look similar to other structures found in the Angkor region. Most temples have inscriptions, but this one doesn’t. Instead, it has all-high reliefs on most of the pediments that show Hindu mythology and gods from different Hindu stories.

A lot of gray sandstone and volcanic rock were used to build the building. The volcanic rock was also used to make the wall around the gallery. This temple can be reached from the east, west, north, and south, but most people come from the north, even though this causeway wasn’t finished like the ones on the east and west. Banteay Samre, on the other hand, has two libraries on the inside, a single tower with four entry towers that are decorated in the four cardinal directions, and the main causeway that leads to the platform on the east.

Carvings depicting the Banteay Samre temple or mythologies depicted on the temple’s structures:

• Ramayana at the scene of the Lanka battle on the west-facing pediment of the west entry tower.
• The churning of the sea of milk on the east-facing pediment of the second entry tower (south section)
• Vishnu defeating the demons, east-facing pediment of the west entry tower (second enclosure)
• God’s procession on the west/second entry tower
• The west/third entry-tower pediment depicts the gods of the moon and sun (east-facing pediment).
• Vishnu reclining in the gestures of creation gods Bramha and Siva on the north library’s west-facing pediment
• God Siva rides on the bull Nandi.
• Vishnu climbs aboard the Garuda.

Final Thoughts

Banteay Samre is a magnificent temple complex found in Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park. This complex is one of the best-preserved Angkorian temples and gives tourists a great chance to learn about ancient history and architecture. This temple is incredibly tranquil, and very few tourists visit it. The red enclosure and temple sculpture are really stunning. It is highly recommended to visit this tranquil shrine. It is not only the amazing Banteay Samre temple in angkor archaeology sites but other temples also are attractive. If you have a plan to visit Siem reap Angkor I would highly recommend reading about the guide to  Siem Reap Angkor Wat which gives you the idea to well prepare for your trip to Cambodia.