Rahu bas-reliefs

A fight to the death with Bharata Rahu on this relief at the western gallery at Banteay Chhmar

Banteay Chhmar is also famous for its Bayon-style bas-reliefs along its outer gallery, though existing in two registers, rather than the four as at the Bayon. The reliefs present a mix of historic events with religious and mythological themes though large chunks of the gallery has fallen foul to time and thieves. The most striking example of this was the theft of five portions of the wall in 1997 which included the large, multi-armed Avalokiteshvaras. Only two remain in place today. Along the gallery wall are a series of rich iconographic scenes and the two featured here involve the mythical monster Bharata Rahu. Located in the southern part of the western gallery near the western gopura 153, the picture above depicts a large man trying to kill the rebellious Bharata Rahu, in a forest setting with rhinoceros and monkeys present. The man is believed to be Prince Shrindrakumara and in the process he saves the royal palace of Yashovarman. Believe it if you will. In the bottom photo, a monstrously large figure with the head of a lion (though it looks like Rahu to me) and crawling on the ground, is just about to devour a Cham, an ox and his chariot of boxes arranged in a pyramid. This relief is the only known Rahu relief in Cambodia. Normally Rahu, who stole a drop of amrita at the Churning of the Ocean of Milk and achieved immortality, is seen swallowing the sun and the moon and creating eclipses. Also in Khmer folklore, the term Rahu often refers to the grimacing face of a kala and can be seen on many lintels.

A monster, Rahu(?) swallows a beast and is soon to devour a Cham pulling a chariot