Pediments in close up

The gigantic temple of Banteay Chhmar, lying in a little-visited corner of northwest Cambodia, has much to reward the visitor who makes the effort to get there. I could literally spend days there scrambling amongst the ruins, identifying the carvings and iconography that are still in situ as well as the pediments and lintels that lie in broken pieces on the ground. And of course, it's been widely reported how the temple suffered at the hands of thieves in the late 90s, who stole large portions of its walls containing glorious reliefs. Here are two examples of pediment reliefs that are still in situ though one clearly shows the results of temple theft that has plagued the outer-lying temples of the former Angkor empire.

Location of pediment with 8-armed Lokeshvara

Above is a pediment on the eastern face of tower 8 that depicts the Lokeshvara with eight arms standing on a plinth supported by three lions. Worshippers surround the feet of the Lokeshvara in an attitude of anjali, with their hands clasped together in front of their chests, palms joined in prayer. The block of sandstone containing the face has been crudely removed, as has the lintel that should be sat underneath the pediment. The scene is in more detail below.

Lokeshvara with 8 arms and worshippers

Well-preserved Buddha in meditation with worshippers and lintel

Above & below. This busy well-preserved pediment, with a multitude of figures, can be found on the western side of the corner pavilion 28. The crowned Buddha is in meditation and is seated on a plinth, with two monks at his side over a row of seven worshippers. Two apsaras are floating hear his head. The worn lintel underneath shows Buddha being held aloft over a kala.

Detail of the Buddha in meditation