Spirit of Apsara
These millions of gracious figures... They were never carved by the hands of men!
They were created by the Gods — living, lovely, breathing women!
Pang, seventeenth century Cambodian poet, writing about apsaras.
The ancient temples of Angkor might seem somewhat severe, if not for the thousands of beautiful apsaras masterfully carved into the stone walls. These divine ladies create a magical ambience, transporting one’s imagination to an otherworldly realm.
The builders of these places intended exactly that, these celestial women were believed to live in the skies, attending to the needs of the gods, and their presence on the walls of a temple was intended to transform it into a celestial palace, the house of the gods, and to make sure that the gods were happy with their earthly abode.
The pathway leading to a temple was designed to be a sacred pilgrimage, and when you step through the gopura you are entering a Heaven on Earth, where the apsaras await you to escort you on your spiritual journey.
