Apsaras in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

When I was writing the post on Angkor Wat, I put a picture of an Apsara, moving ahead with my picture album, I realized there were so many and all of them different from each other. Which one do I select and which I leave was not becoming easy for me. Moreover, would I be doing justice by putting just one or two?

There are said to be around 1,800 apsaras adorning the walls of Angkor Wat. The most interesting feature of these Apsaras is that none of the apsaras have similar crowns over their head, neither pose in the same way. Each is different!
It became mandatory for me to make a separate post and showcase these beautiful Apsaras. They are everywhere, on pillars, walls, towers and even ceilings.

Features of Apsara here:
In simple terms, an Apsara is a celestial being who is extremely beautiful, dances and is forever young.

• The images in Angkor Wat have Apsaras have feet pointed to one side. Probably it was considered inappropriate or culturally not accepted to be pointing feet at some one. It is considered not proper to sit with feet pointed towards an image of God in Hinduism.
• They have beautiful headdress over stylish hair dos.
• They wear necklaces, bracelets, armlets, anklets. They have heavy ear rings. They have no clothes on the top but wear a sort of transparent skirt below the navel, as the legs are visible through. Here, again heavy jewelry is worn.
• There is a crown on the head with a spike ending. The hair is braided in a very chic manner, might put any hair stylist to shame :)
• They do not smile but have a peaceful expression. There is just one Apsara in the whole Angkor Wat whose teeth are visible.
• Most of them hold a flower in their hands.
• Expressions, appearances too are different.
• Some of them have a typical Khmer features while others portray different facial features.
• There is a very interesting feature of all Apsaras holding flower.  They hold the stem of flower with middle and ring finger pressing it against the thumb. The index and small finger are free and extended.

 3-pointed headdress, heavy jewelry on neck and waist. Holding a stem of flower

a close-up of the above picture

 on pillar

3-pointed crown, not too much jewelry

a braided hairdo, flower in one hand

in a corner holding a lotus flower

jewelry on hair, 3-pointed

a trio of Apsaras stand with a flower stem

heavy jewelry in neck and waist

 apasara on a pillar with a 3-pointed crown

2-pointed crown holding a flower

 on tower

one holding a flower and the other trying to put flower on her hair

one holding a flower and the other trying to put one in her hair

multi braids hair style, each holding a flower

all holding a flower in hand but with different hairdo and crowns

group of apsaras

enlarged of above picture: interwoven braids, each holding a bud stem

a troupe of dancers, is it after or before a performance?

one putting a flower on hair, others holding it

 3 braids on each side and a studded tiara

conical 3-spiked crown

3-spiked crown and 3 braids on each side

3- spiked crown, a flower stem in hand

two stand side by side

One of the very few with her teeth showing

Two happy Apsaras with fan style hairdo and a flower clip to hold them, different at top and holding a flower stem.

Note the style of Apsaras holding the flower. They hold the stem of flower with middle and ring finger pressing it against the thumb. The index and small finger are extended and free. 

3-pointed crown, lotus bud in hand, seems like getting ready for a performance

hair shaped in fan-style, two pointed crown on head, not much jewelry

she stands alone by a pillar

is she trying to put a flower in her hair?

These are just a few pictures which I could manage. It is interesting to note the difference specially in their hairdos, jewelry and hand postures. Since, there are so many depictions, there must be many artisans at work. Some look like real images, can it so concluded that these were real life figures when the Angkor Kingdom thrived? Was the inspiration to sculpt these figures taken from them? Maybe, quite possible.

Dikpalas in Banteay Srei, Siem Reap

I had thought of adding the information about the guardian gods of four directions in my last post but it became so big that I am making a separate post on this.

Dikpalas (दिकपाल ) or the guardian gods of directions:

According to Hinduism, each direction and sub-direction is occupied by a certain deity who act as guardian. The direction and sub-directions are still followed in Vaastushatra, science of architecture and construction. Dik is direction and palas: guardians. Since there are eight directions and sub-directions, the guardian gods are known as ashtadikpalas, asthta: eight and dikpalas; the guardians of directions.

There are four main directions and four sub-directions making a total of eight directions. There are two more one above the place of gravity and other below, but they are not considered in everyday use.

Not only in Banteay Srie, but in other temples also the gods of only four directions are highlighted. The precision regarding the gods facing directions has always been kept in mind.

Main dikpalas:

the four guardians of directions or the 

Kubera, faces North:

Kuber is the God of wealth and prosperity. He sits on a throne, Pushpak carried by his mount, a man. He faces north. He is depicted on pediment of north side of northern shrine.
Kubera observed strict penance and Brahma, the creator blessed him with plenty of riches and asked him to become the lord of wealth.

It is said the Kubera holds a golden mongoose in his hand who throws out gems every time he opens his mouth. Mongoose has enmity with snakes who are said to carry gems (mani) on their hoods. He is the only god who rides on the back of a human signifying how we have become a slave to wealth. Infact, there is a proverb in Hindi where a person if gets rich all of a sudden is asked if has got Kuber's treasure!

Yama, faces South:

Yama seated on water buffalo

Yama on pediment and lintel

Known as Yamaraja or the God of Death always faces south. He rides a water buffalo. Since, south is considered the direction of the departed soul or death no auspicious rites are performed in that direction. In Hinduism, the departed person is placed with his face towards south before and during cremation.
In Banteay Srie, Yama is seen both on pediment and lintel on the south face of southern shrine but if observed closely, one is the front view and the other side view.

Indra, faces East:

Indra is the King of Heaven and the other gods. He is also the God of Rains.

His home is mount Meru or Sumeru. He rides on a spotless white elephant, Airavata who is sometimes shown with one head sometimes three and even having five heads. Airavat or Erahwan came out during the churning of ocean. Elephant signifies power or strength.

Varun, faces West:

Varun is the guardian for west and rides on makar, which is part fish and part crocodile. Sometimes he is shown on a crocodile. Here, in this temple he is seen seated on geese supported by makar. Varun is the God of oceans/water and hence makes the rains and rivers.

Prasat Banteay Srie 8, Siem Reap, Southern Shrine

The Southern shrine behind the Southern Library had Shiva as its main deity. It is situated on the south of central shrine.

Southern shrine:

East facade of shrine (#A):

east facing shrine

Figure with lion head (Narsimha) is seen in east doorway in kneeling position

temple guardians

Pediment shows Shiva and Uma on Nandi in the center, lintel has Indra seated on Airavata or Airawana.

The distance was too much to take a clear picture.

South face of southern shrine (#B):

south face of this shrine

Yama, the God of death is depicted both on lintel and pediment

West face of southern shrine (#C):

West face of this shrine has Varuna, the god of water on both lintel and pediment. Head is missing

laterite used for construction waiting to be assembled

brick wall coming apart

central sanctuary wall, part of a corner column still standing on side

before exit

East Pediment on western gopura (#D):
Just before the exit the gopura has a scene from the Ramayana. A duel between Bali/Vali and Sugreev.

Duel between Bali or Vali and Sugreev on western gopura

This is a scene from Ramayana, where there was a duel between two brothers Bali/Vali(#2) and Sugreeva(#3). Rama(#1) can be seen with bow coming to the rescue of Sugreeva, killing Bali for having wronged his brother.

Shiva on kalamukh on a lintel under the Bali-Sugreev pediment

exit

a pediment lies on ground

rear view of temple surrounded by moat

rear view of temple with moat and temple boundary

I look back once again to get a last glimpse of the beautiful temple and then with a smile, I trudge outside to unravel the secrets of other Khmer temples.