Sras Srang

For a beautiful start to your touring day head to the east- facing terrace overlooking the enchanting Srah Srang, a 700m (23foot) man-made lake to the east of Banteay Kdei. This body of water offers a pleasant escape throughout the day but is especially serene in the early light of day. Maurice Glaize, the author of the first definitive guide to Angkor temples in 1944, even likened Srah Srang to the Grand Canal at Versailles. In the late afternoon it is worth taking a stroll around the south of the lake away from the road to watch villagers from South Srah Srang Village fish and children play in the water.

Inscriptions tell us that Srah Srang, “royal bath” was originally dug during the 1oth century by Kavindrarimathana, an architect to King Rajendravarman, as a watering place for animals. The name Srah Srang is of later origin.

A small, lightweight sanctuary was likely built in the centre akin to East Mebon in the Yashodharatataka and is evidenced by a jumble of stone blocks visible at low water levels. The basin was remodelled to its current form by Jayavarman VII who installed the small pier and likely added the sandstone edging.