Srah Srang

Srah Srang (Khmer: ស្រះស្រង់) is a baray at Angkor, Cambodia, located south of the East Baray and east of Banteay Kdei.

Srah Srong was built by the king Jayavarman at the end of 12^th century dedicated to Buddha. And Srah Srong is 700 m longs and 300 m width in the middle of Srah Srong there is a small chapel surrounded by wooden posts to supports the roof but now day collapsed. This chapel is the place where the king Jayavarman 7 always used to go to do his meditation and now day Srah srong is useful to the farmer. Especially in the dry season the farmers can grow their crop in the dry season by training water from Srah Srong to their farm by using pipe.

History

It was digged in the mid-10th century, by initiative of Kavindrarimathana, buddhist minister of Rajendravarman II^[1]. Then it was modified about year 1200 by Jayavarman VII, who added the laterite landing-stage at its western side too, likely because the East Baray had been overwhelming by sediment and begun malfunctioning^[2]. French archeological expeditions have found a necropolis close to it.^[3].

The site
At present Srah Srang measures 700 by 350 m and is still partially flooded. As other barays, maybe there was a temple standing on an artificial island in the middle of it, as suggested by finding of a basement. The landing-stage, opposite the entrance to Banteay Kdei, is a popular site for viewing the sunrise. It is cruciform, flanked by nāga balaustrades which end with the upright head of a serpent, mounted by a garuda with its wings unfurled. The steps that lead down to the water are flanked by two guardian leons