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Ta Som Devata – Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Perhaps her distant grandmother is portrayed in the ancient temple nearby?

Perhaps her distant grandmother is portrayed in the ancient temple nearby?

By Kent Davis

The Khmer temple of Ta Som is located northeast of the walled city of Angkor Thom and east of the water temple of Neak Pean.

King Jayavarman VII built Ta Som late in the 12th century and dedicated it to his father, King Dharanindravarman II, who ruled the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160 following the death of King Suryavarman II.

Like most Khmer temples, Ta Som is filled with standing female images called devata (or tevoda, tevada), and flying or dancing female divinities called apsara (or apsarases, apsaras).

At first glance the women appear similar, but upon close examination one sees that each is unique and features her own special attributes. Some display attributes and abilities that characterize them as divine. Others seem to be earthly women fulfilling sacred duties.

Ta Som devata 04 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 05 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 06 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 07 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 08 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 09 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 10 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 11 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 12 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 13 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 14 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 15 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 16 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 17 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 18 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 19 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 20 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 21 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 22 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 23 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 24 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 25 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 26 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 27 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 28 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 29 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 30 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 31 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 01 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 32 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 33 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 34 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 35 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 36 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 37 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 38 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 39 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 40 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 03 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 41 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 42 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

Ta Som devata 02 Ta Som Devata Sacred Khmer Women in 12th Century Cambodia

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Posted in Devata & Apsara Photos, Devata Research, Khmer History. Tagged with , , , , .

By admin
July 28, 2009

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  1. Best Khmer Temple Photo Index - Cambodia and Thailand | Angkor Wat Aspara & Devata: Khmer Women in Divine Context linked to this post on December 23, 2009

    [...] Prasat Ta Som Devata [...]

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