There are only two sacred women in Thailand carved in the style of Angkor Wat. Both are at the temple of Sikhoraphum, just outside of Surin. Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
The entrance gate to Sikhoraphum.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
The west side of the temple of Sikhoraphum.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
The south side of Sikhoraphum. About 105 miles (177 km) directly south, stands the Khmer temple of Angkor Wat.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
The east side of Sikhoraphum, facing the rising sun.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
These sacred ornaments called "kalash" used to be at the tops of Sikhoraphum's five towers.http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/03/about-kalash-on-top-of-sanctum-of-hindu.htmlRead the full story on http://www.devata.org/
Sikhoraphum's five towers are arranged in the "quincunx" pattern, like Angkor Wat.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
The entrance to Sikhoraphum's central tower is flanked by two sacred women (devata) and two guardians.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org/
The lintel above the entrance to Sikhoraphum's central tower depicts the Dance of Shiva and other Hindu gods respected by the Khmers.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
The south side of the entrance to Sikhoraphum's central tower is flanked by a sacred woman (devata) and a guardian.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
Sikhoraphum's southern sacred woman (devata) appears on a pillar with elaborate floral carvings.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
Sikhoraphum's south devata shares many powerful attributes with her 1,780 sisters at Angkor Wat. For example, her pose, jewelry and long stemmed lotus flower are similar. But there are variations in the crown and the abundance of animals is quite unique.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
The sampot (Khmer skirt) on Sikhoraphum's south devata is identical to some seen at Angkor Wat. Her hand gestures and stomach markings are also similar. Again, the animals make this carving quite rare - out of 1,780 women at Angkor Wat only a few hold a single bird, and only one (!) has a small dog as a pet.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
Perhaps the most intriguing puzzle presented by Sikhoraphum's south devata is the position of her feet, with the pronounced raised toes and position of walking on the edge of the foot. Classical dance in Cambodia and Thailand does not duplicate this step, yet it is also seen at Angkor Wat and was certainly an important part of rituals.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
The north side of the entrance to Sikhoraphum's central tower is flanked by a sacred woman (devata) and a guardian.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
Sikhoraphum's north devata is also frames by elaborate floral and geometric patterns. Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
Like her sister on the south door frame, Sikhoraphum's north devata also has much in common with the women at Angkor Wat. Her jewelry, hand gestures, plants, stomach markings, sampot (Khmer skirt) are all similar. Again, the animals make this carving quite rare - out of 1,780 women at Angkor Wat only a few hold a single bird, and only one (!) has a small dog as a pet.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
The crown on Sikhoraphum's north devata is also a different style from those seen at Angkor Wat. Interestingly, it is similar to the crown on one of the *only* other devata seen outside of Cambodia - a sacred woman depicted at Wat Phu in Laos.Again, the animals are unique. While perhaps a dozen women at Angkor Wat have birds (out of 1,780) none are depicted with squirrels (one has a small dog). Also, none of the birds at Angkor Wat are this large.Read the full story on http://www.devata.org
The feet of Sikhoraphum's north devata hold a similar position to that of her sister, but not as pronounced. A mere artistic difference or a difference in status or duty? The answer is unknown. Read more on http://www.devata.org
The northeast door pillar on Sikhoraphum's main tower decorated with garuda and naga motifs. Read more on http://www.devata.org
The back (west side) of Sikhoraphum's central tower with a false door seen in the center. Read more on http://www.devata.org
The southeast tower of Sikhoraphum. This tower contains Buddhist relics, including a large Buddha footprint carving.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_footprintRead more on http://www.devata.org
The entrance to the southeast tower of Sikhoraphum contains inscriptions in Khmer.Read more on http://www.devata.org
The southeast tower of Sikhoraphum contains Buddhist relics, including a large Buddha footprint carving.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_footprintRead more on http://www.devata.org
Two ancient devata and one modern devata, who is desperately reading a map to determine were we can find food because she has been kept at Sikhoraphum for hours. (-;
