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Angkor Travel
Guide
Srah
Srang - The Royal Bath
It was perhaps a chapel to Kama, God
of Love. The spot would suit the
temper of the strange power,
terribly strong and yet terribly
tender, of that passion which
carries away kingdoms, empires,
whole worlds, and inhabits also the
humblest dwellings...Love could
occupy this quiet nest embedded in
water...gave the impression that
love had come one day and had left
there, when he went away, apart of
his spirit.
Srah Srang is located across the
road from the east entrance of
Banteay Kdei. A enter and leave Srah
rang from the road.
Tip: Srah Srang always has water and
is surrounded by greenery. According
to one French archaeologist, it
offers at the last rays of the day
one of the most beautiful points to
view the Park of Angkor. It was
built in the end of the 12th
century, by the King Jayavarman VII,
dedicated to Buddhist, replica to
Bayon style of art.
Background
Srah
Srang is a large lake (700 by 300
meters, 2,297 by 984 feet) with
elegant landing terrace of superb
proportion and scale.
Layout
A
majestic platform (landing stage)
with leads to the pond. It is built
of laterite with sandstone molding.
The platform is in the shape of a
cross with serpent balustrades
flanked by two lions. At the front
there is an enormous Garuda riding a
three-headed serpent. At the back
there is a mythical creature
comprising a three-headed serpent,
the lower portion of a Garuda and a
stylized tail decorated with small
serpent heads. The body of the
serpent rests on a dais supported by
mythical monsters. See map page 70.
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