While working on the east causeway conservation and protection project, the Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts discovered a wonderful, intact head of a demon. As you may know, the causeway was originally lined with demons and gods representing the famous Hindu story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Through time and looting almost all the original heads have been lost or destroyed. The protection of the east causeway is vitally important to Banteay Chhmar as it serves as a dam for the commune’s primary water supply in the moat.

6th Annual Khmer-Thai Student Exchange

Also this month, on Sunday November 16th, students, community leaders and officials gathered in the temple for the 6th Annual Khmer-Thai student exchange. It was a great morning of bonding and information sharing. Some of our brightest Cambodian youth helped to explain the history, culture and environment of Banteay Chhmar. Thank you to everyone for sharing their time and energy to make this meeting a success.

Finally, please take the time to read this article if you already have not done so. It was written by editor-at-large, Don George, from National Geographic. He takes on a nice, humanistic and personal view of his time here in Banteay Chhmar.