At first glance, no one will think that there is some spectacular sight hidden amid the overgrown ruble strewn within the high walls of a remote town, but as the ray of sunlight caresses the stones and illuminates the lush vegetation, visitors discover another fabulous composition of nature and man: the Banteay Chhmar & Banteay Top. This massive, forest-shrouded and age-old temple conjures the romanticism for a lost Khmer city, making it an explorer's paradise.
For centuries, the Banteay Chhmar & Banteay Top was surrounded by enigma and constant debate as to the people who constructed this temple complex. History tells that after the war between the Champa and Khmer kingdom, King King Jayavarman VII built a temple in the Cambodian jungle to honor five heroes who died in defense of their country, one of them being his son. The temple was planned to be a fine citadel bounded by a moat.
Today, only a cluster of houses alongside the temple remains, reminiscent of the village of Beng Mealea. At temple's entrance, two concrete replicas of god's heads stand like armed sentinel guarding the temple. At the right side is a dilapidated but still intact dharmasala or rest house. The roof looks as though it were about to crumble but is an illusion due to the concave arch of the corbelled roof.
Inside the temple, a stone rest house and chapel are located. Intricately carved bas-reliefs highlight Banteay Chhmar, depicting detailed battle scenes against the Chams, religious scenes and a host of daily activities. There is not much to do on the site other than meander around the temple, enjoy the solitude and glory of Banteay Chhmar & Banteay Top, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries of the Angkorian Period.
