Solitude at Banteay Prei

Parts of Banteay Prei are in danger of collapse, here is the northern gallery pavilion

Banteay Prei lies in a quiet and untouristed corner of the Angkor complex. As I wandered through the sandstone temple built in the latter part of the 12th century, I was reminded of my first visit to Angkor in 1994 when every temple experience was like this - alone and eerily silent except for the sounds from the nearby forest. Those days are long gone at the main temple sites but you can still experience some of the hidden secrets and solitude of Angkor at places like Banteay Prei.

A wall at the eastern gopura with 4 devatas in niches and a baluster window with a drawn blind

A section of the eastern gallery in imminent danger of collapse

A stylish devata in all her regalia holding a lotus flower

Geometric designs adorn the entranceway to the main central sanctuary

In this forgotten corner of Banteay Prei, these two devata have had their heads stolen by temple thieves

This broken naga head and body lie at the eastern gopura entrance to Banteay Prei