Current Projects
Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia
Banteay Chhmar (pronounced: “Ban-tay Ch-mar”) is one of the great architectural masterpieces of Southeast Asia and the Khmer Kingdom. Its extensive natural environment constitutes one of the most significant Khmer historical complexes in Cambodia and for this reason it was placed by the Ministry of Culture and Arts on UNESCO’s World Heritage “Tentative” list in September 1992.
Banteay Chhmar was built at the end of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII following similar grandiose temple plans that he was building in Angkor. A one-kilometer arcaded enclosure wall formerly surrounded the temple carved with detailed bas-reliefs telling the story of the Ancient Khmer and depicting royal processions and battles with the Chams including large images of a multi-armed Avalokiteshvara. Most of it is now in ruins.
Because of its remote location, Banteay Chhmar was saved the iconoclasm of Hindu reaction which badly scarred the majority of the contemporary Khmer temples of Angkor. It is hoped that it will reveal unknown and unique information about the ancient Khmer culture. Already, several major new features in Khmer Buddhist art have been identified.
