Banteay Chhmar
Banteay Chhmar, that means "The Small Citadel", is a small village situated in the north-west part of Cambodia. It is located about 20 km far from Thailand.
Banteay Chhmar is well-known for its imposing temple. It was founded in the early 13th century, during the reign of Jayavarman VII and looks like the complex Angkor Thom. The temple is especially renowned for its eight extraordinary Avalokiteshvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. But in 1998, six pieces were stolen and transported to Thailand.
The thai police was successful in recover the stolen bas-reliefs, that now are exposed in the National Museum of Cambodia at Phnom Penh. Now only two bas-reliefs are on displayed in Banteay Chhmar. They are really spectacular: one has 22 arms and the other one 32.
