The Khmer civilization that grew to unify most of Southeast Asia between the 8th-14th centuries respected women. Today, we still see their temples filled with images of sacred women –termed devata, apsara or Khmer goddesses – who embody the feminine forces of the universe. While women and goddesses appear as icons in many ancient and modern societies, the Khmers gave sanctified women dominance over their state temples more consistently and more visibly than any other group.
These photos reveal a few of the “Devata of Darkness”: images of Cambodia’s sacred women called devata — sometimes inaccurately referred to as apsaras — hidden from the light of day in passages beneath the collapsed structure. Preah Khan temple Khmer devata goddesses of darkness
French artist Maurice Fievet created extraordinarily accurate paintings of 12th century Angkor with Khmer scholars Bernard Groslier and George Cœdes.
These Angkor Wat documentary videos unveil the massive Hindu temple that–since it was built in the 12th century–has been the largest religious structure in the world. Angkor Wat documentary videos
These Banteay Chhmar videos show the intriguing Khmer temple in Cambodia that remains mostly hidden by debris, 800 years after it was built.
The importance of the West Gopura structure cannot be understated: this is the gateway to Angkor Wat. Its west facade may have been the only part of the the temple that the vast majority of the public ever saw. But even that statement assumes too much. Angkor Wat West Gopura entrance devata goddess portraits facing East
Angkor Wat West Gopura Entrance Devata Goddess Portraits Facing West: Witnesses to the Khmer World. [Meet West Gopura Devata INSIDE on this …
Today acolytes are few, but sacred images of Khmer women still abound, protecting the temple with their auspicious presence.
Who were the six sisters of the Angkor Wat devata at Wat Athvea? South of Siem Reap the small temple enshrines six 12th century goddesses.
In 1924, Khmerophile author and explorer George Groslier took the first automobile trip to Cambodia’s remote Khmer temple Banteay Chhmar.
Like Angkor Wat, the remote Banteay Chhmar temple, is the focus of multiple preservation efforts by UNESCO, Global Heritage Fund, Heritage Watch International and other groups in northwestern Cambodia.
