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Kent Davis's Gallery

Profile Photos

Album for profile photos

May 29, 2011

Photos: 2

Scrapbook Photos

Album for scrapbook photos

May 29, 2011

Photos: 5

Wat Athvea - Six Sisters of Angkor Wat

Wat Athvea is an active Buddhist temple about 6 km. south of Siem Reap that, like many others, is built next on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The design and distinctive style of the devata (sacred female images) inside the temple indicate that it was built in the 12thcentury during the reign of King Suryavarman II (circa 1,115-1,150 AD). The temple is unusual because it lacks decorative carvings...with the exception of six Angkor Wat style devata inside, with three of them remaining in fine condition. For more information please visit www.Devata.org

Dec 5, 2009

Photos: 39

Rajarani Temple Orissa

The 11th century Rajarani Temple is a breathtaking example of of Orissan style, set like a gem among fertile ricefields. The temple is dominated by playful nymphs, while eight “dikpalas” or guardians protect the tower at the compass points. The guardians begin with the head of the demigods Indra in the east; Agni the god of fire (southeast); Yamaraja god of death (south); Nirritti goddess of the black asuras, also known as Kali, (southwest); Varuna the god of water (west); Vayu the god of air (northwest); Kubera the god of weath (north); and Isana, the face of Siva and master of all knowledge (northeast).

Oct 1, 2009

Photos: 24

Prasat Sikhoraphum - Khmer Temple in Thailand

Just one hundred miles south, the Khmer civilization santified thousands of female images on the walls of their temples, both Hindu and Buddhist. But here, in what is now modern day Thailand, only two devata remain, fulfilling a mysterious mission long since forgotten.

Sep 16, 2009

Photos: 27

Sikhoraphum - The Caretaker's Art Gallery

The same Thai man has maintained this Khmer temple's grounds for decades. In his spare time, he creates these mythic characters from natural materials, displaying them across an unpaved street directly to the east of the temple. He explained that he doesn't sell them...he makes them for the sake of his art.

Sep 16, 2009

Photos: 12

Bayon-Apsara, Devata and others in bas-relief

Jun 19, 2009

Photos: 18

Thommanon - Devata at the Gate of Victory

The small, elegant Hindu temple of Thommanon is just outside the Gate of Victory at Angkor Thom. Directly to its south is the small temple of Chau Say Tevoda, currently under restoration. Thommanon was built by King Suryavarman II, founder of the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat and Beng Melea between 1,113-1,150. *********************** The devata of Thommanon dominate the structure and exhibit many of the same attributes seen at Angkor Wat. Crown, sampot (the wrapped skirt) and jewelry styles like these are frequently seen at Angkor Wat. Note that many of the hands grip flower stems with the distinctive devata mudra using the ring and middle fingers while the index and small finger are extended. ************** For more information please visit http://www.devata.org - High resolution images are available for republication by educational organizations at no charge.

Jun 19, 2009

Photos: 36

Goddesses of The Bayon: Devata of King Jayavarman VII

Beyond the unforgettable profile of Angkor Wat, the face towers of the Bayon are the Khmer civilization’s most recognizable architectural icons. Standing in the center of Jayavarman’s capital city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon was built in the late 12th and early 13th century. Following the example of Suryavarman II, Jayavarman VII also chose to fill his monuments with the portraits of sacred women called devata (or apsaras). This album introduces you to a few of these goddesses face to face. Who were they and why were they immortalized in stone? Visit http://www.devata.org for more information.

Jun 19, 2009

Photos: 49

Ta Som-Devata

Dec 4, 2008

Photos: 56

Ta Som - Khmer temple scenes - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ta Som is a small Khmer temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is located northeast of the walled city of Angkor Thom and east of Neak Pean. King Jayavarman VII built the temple late in the 12th century and dedicated Ta Som to his father King Dharanindravarman II who ruled was the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160 following the death of King Suryavarman II. Like most Khmer temples, Ta Som is dominated by standing female images called devata (or tevoda, tevada), and flying female divinities called apsara (or apsarases, apsaras). For more information please visit www.Devata.org

Dec 4, 2008

Photos: 16

Ta Som Devata - Sacred female images in a 12th century Khmer temple

Ta Som is located northeast of the walled city of Angkor Thom and east of Neak Pean. King Jayavarman VII built the temple late in the 12th century and dedicated Ta Som to his father King Dharanindravarman II who ruled was the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160 following the death of King Suryavarman II. Like most Khmer temples, Ta Som is filled with standing female images called devata (or tevoda, tevada), and flying female divinities called apsara (or apsarases, apsaras). At first glance the women appear similar, but upon close examination one sees that each is unique and features her own special attributes. For more information visit www.devata.org

Dec 4, 2008

Photos: 55

The Bayon - Apsara Dancers

The Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII was the most prolific Khmer builder. In the late 12th century he began building the Bayon at the center of his capital city Angkor Thom. His official state temple, the Bayon is best known for massive stone faces at the top of its stone towers. The temple is also filled with images of female goddesses representing all the Khmer types of goddesses known. This article looks at examples of the dancing apsaras featured on pillars and defines their characteristics. Dr. Peter Sharrock at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, estimates that the original structure displayed 6,250 of these intriguing goddesses.

Dec 2, 2008

Photos: 19

Preah Khan - Mystery Portal of Khmer Legends

The 12th c. Khmer temple of Preah Khan, once a religious city of 100,000 inhabitants, now lies hidden in the dense Cambodian jungle. Built by King Jayavarman VII the temple still holds many mysteries for modern explorers. This album examines a pilaster on the temple's east side that features a series of nine icons that seem to represent a legend...a legend that is now forgotten. Can anyone tell me the stories suggested by this sequence of images?

Nov 29, 2008

Photos: 11

Preah Khan - Devata of the Shadows

This huge temple city, once filled with acolytes, now rests in the lush jungles of northern Cambodia. Today acolytes are few, but sacred images of women still dominate and protect the temple with their auspicious presence. Some are exposed to the burning tropical sun but many stand hidden in shadowed alcoves, seen by few visitors. These sample photos introduce a few of the "Devata of the Shadows." For more photos and information please visit www.Devata.org

Nov 29, 2008

Photos: 50

Preah Khan - Khmer Gods, Beasts, Angels & Demons

Nov 29, 2008

Photos: 37

Preah Khan - Devata of Darkness

Each day, hundreds of tourists walk the main paths this 12th century jungle temple marveling at the glory of the Khmers. But just a few feet away many secret places exist that most visitors never see. These photos reveal a few of the "Devata of Darkness," images of sacred women hidden from the light of day in passages beneath the collapsed structure. These low light photos (taken without a tripod) give a glimpse of the phantasmagoric secret world they have inhabited for more than 800 years. For more photos and information please visit www.Devata.org

Nov 29, 2008

Photos: 41

Preah Khan - Inner chambers of the Khmer temple of Preah Khan

The 12th century Khmer temple of Preah Khan was once a religious city of nearly 100,000 inhabitants. Built by King Jayavarman VII northeast of the walled city of Angkor Thom, the massive temple has a series of successive rectangular galleries surrounding a Buddhist sanctuary, Hindu satellite temples and later additions. This photo gallery shows a handful of inner chambers in the vast complex.

Nov 28, 2008

Photos: 13

Preah Khan Khmer Temple - General views

The mysterious 12th c. Khmer temple of Preah Khan, once a religious city of 100,000 inhabitants, is now a peaceful destination surrounded by Cambodian jungle. Built by King Jayavarman VII the spiritual complex once served the Buddhist faith, Hindu gods, and perhaps was key to the king's attempt to harmoniously blend the two faiths. The temple features unique combinations of Garuda, the man-bird and his natural enemy, Naga, the snake god who factors as one of the progenitors of the Khmer race.

Nov 28, 2008

Photos: 36

Preah Khan - Khmer Goddesses in the Heart of the Temple

Why do female images dominate the most extraordinary temples built by the Khmer civilization? King Suryavarman II and King Jayavarman VII filled entire temples with sanctified images of women; more prominent than the portraits of their mythological creatures, their own portraits and even their gods. While flying "apsaras" depict women in heaven, most carvings represent "devata": sacred women whose power is here in earthly realms. And some of them are perhaps even more divine. This album reveals two powerful women who reside in the heart of Preah Khan temple. As the offerings show, they are still worshipped and respected. Their adjacent sanctuaries are rather dim; my photos are hand held time exposures. The blue tint grew as light changed throughout the day. Admire them, and know the feminine power of the ancient Khmers. For more information visit www.devata.org

Nov 28, 2008

Photos: 25

Preah Khan Khmer Goddesses - Devata of Light

Siem Reap, Cambodia – This huge temple city, once filled with as many as 100,000 acolytes, now rests peacefully in the lush jungle of northern Cambodia. Today acolytes are few, but sacred images of Khmer women still dominate and protect the temple with their auspicious presence. The sacred woman in this gallery have been exposed to harsh tropical sun for more than 700 years but still retain their charm and mystery. For comparison, be sure to visit the other devata temple photo galleries at www.Devata.org

Nov 28, 2008

Photos: 54

Preah Khan - Devata of Power

Nov 28, 2008

Photos: 27

Preah Khan - Sacred Celebration of Cambodian Dance

Nov 28, 2008

Photos: 41

Preah Khan - Jungle trees slowly dismantle the sacred Khmer temples

Who would think that a seed carried by a bird could destroy the massive works of man? But the 12th century Khmer temple of Preah Khan, abandoned in the jungle for centuries, suffers just such a fate. French archeologist Henri Marchal began an earnest effort to clear this site beginning in 1927, but the decision was made to leave Preah Khan in more of a natural state rather than to attempt restoration. The huge trees are similar to those at the site of Ta Prohm temple.