The welcome sign at Banteay Chhma(r) - causing confusion as the varied spelling of the last word can give the temple name two different meanings is a massive temple site, lying in northwest Cambodia, about two hours north of Sisophon, the main town you encounter upon arriving in the country from Thailand. Alternatively you can take the nightmare that is Route 6 from Siem Reap - though depending on the weather and the state of the road - it's crap at the moment - it will take anything between 2-3 hours on what should be Cambodia's premier highway, but isn't. Anyway, back to the temple of Banteay Chhmar. These photos give you a glimpse on what to see upon arrival at the site, later posts will include more of the iconography, carvings and face towers. Its one of my favourite temples with its multitude of carvings, many of which are underfoot as you scamper across the fallen blocks of sandstone. More on Banteay Chhmar to come.
An original demon guardian at the eastern entrance to the temple 
Part of the moat outside the outer boundary wall, used by the locals for buffalo-washing!
A false window and devata at the eastern entranceway, next to the main gate and police post 
A partially-broken 4-armed Lokeshvara on the ground at the eastern entrance to the temple
Another reconstructed Lokeshvara with 4 arms on the ground at the east gopura
A series of roof finials showing Buddha-like figures in meditation pose
The welcome sign at Banteay Chhma(r) - causing confusion as the varied spelling of the last word can give the temple name two different meanings 
An original demon guardian at the eastern entrance to the temple 
Part of the moat outside the outer boundary wall, used by the locals for buffalo-washing!
A false window and devata at the eastern entranceway, next to the main gate and police post 
A partially-broken 4-armed Lokeshvara on the ground at the eastern entrance to the temple
Another reconstructed Lokeshvara with 4 arms on the ground at the east gopura
A series of roof finials showing Buddha-like figures in meditation pose
1 Comments:
hi Andy, thanks for pointing out the many spelling of a word or name of khmer in the roman letter. yes, i notice that too for a long time,indeed. i wish someone with access to library and with good intention to help cambodia to come up with a single standarized kind of roman transliteration of the khmer words or language into just one recognizable spelling univerally like they do it in japan for the romanizing of the japanese language for the purpose of easy pronunciation and reading by non khmer speaking to be able to say the khmer words by way of romanizining it for purpose of pronouncing the word. so far, i have not seen anyone that can come up with this one universally system for cambodia to serve their foreigner friends this way. i hope you or someone you know can help to make this possible because you can consult with the cambodia ministry of education, etc to help with this romanizationof the khmer pronunciation only for this purpose, not to confuse the ministry of education and the general cambodian population of someone trying ot rid cambodia of the khmer system of writing or anything in that manner, however, just to serve the non-khmer people of the easy of pronouncing or saying the khmer words only. thank you for your thought on this.
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