Srah Srang
Encyclopedia
Srah Srang is a baray at Angkor
, Cambodia
, located south of the East Baray
and east of Banteay Kdei
.
. It was later modified around the year 1200 by Jayavarman VII
, who also added the laterite
landing-stage at its western side, probably because the East Baray
had been overwhelmed by sediment and had begun malfunctioning. French archeological expeditions have found a necropolis
close to it..
balaustrades which end with the upright head of a serpent, mounted by a garuda
with its wings unfurled. The steps that lead down to the water are flanked by two guardian lions.
Angkor
Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from approximately the 9th to 15th centuries. The word Angkor is derived from the Sanskrit nagara , meaning "city"...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, located south of the East Baray
East Baray
The East Baray is a now-dry baray, or artificial body of water, at Angkor, Cambodia, oriented east-west and located just east of the walled city Angkor Thom. It was built around the year 900 AD during the reign of King Yasovarman...
and east of Banteay Kdei
Banteay Kdei
Banteay Kdei , meaning "A Citadel of Chambers", also known as "Citadel of Monks' cells", is a Buddhist temple in Angkor, Cambodia. It is located southeast of Ta Prohm and east of Angkor Thom...
.
History
It was dug in the mid-10th century, by initiative of Kavindrarimathana, Buddhist minister of Rajendravarman IIRajendravarman II
Rajendravarman II was the king of the Khmer Empire , from 944 to 968.Rajendravarman II was a nephew of former king Yasovarman I...
. It was later modified around the year 1200 by Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII was a king of the Khmer Empire in present day Siem Reap, Cambodia. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. He married Jayarajadevi and then, after her death, married her sister Indradevi...
, who also added the laterite
Laterite
Laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are rusty-red because of iron oxides. They develop by intensive and long-lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock...
landing-stage at its western side, probably because the East Baray
East Baray
The East Baray is a now-dry baray, or artificial body of water, at Angkor, Cambodia, oriented east-west and located just east of the walled city Angkor Thom. It was built around the year 900 AD during the reign of King Yasovarman...
had been overwhelmed by sediment and had begun malfunctioning. French archeological expeditions have found a necropolis
Necropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
close to it..
The site
At present Srah Srang measures 700 by 350 m and is still partially flooded. As other barays, maybe there was a temple standing on an artificial island in the middle of it, as suggested by finding of a basement. The landing-stage, opposite the entrance to Banteay Kdei, is a popular site for viewing the sunrise. It is cruciform, flanked by nāgaNaga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
balaustrades which end with the upright head of a serpent, mounted by a garuda
Garuda
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
with its wings unfurled. The steps that lead down to the water are flanked by two guardian lions.
External links
- Photos of Srah Srang by M.A.Sullivan on Bluffton University website