Photos

This image may not be very appealing to some but like many visitors to these ruins I too am fascinated by these figures which adorn many of the walls around the temples at Angkor and the mysteries it holds even to historians and archeologists up till today. Upon further read-up on the subject these lovely bas-reliefs and sculptures are put in better light. What actually drew me to the subject is to find the differences between “devata” and “apsara”
From Wikipedia:
Apsaras in the art and architecture of Cambodia
Apsaras represent an important motif in the stone bas-reliefs of the Angkorian temples in Cambodia (8th–13th century AD), however all female images are not considered to be apsaras. In harmony with the Indian association of dance with apsaras, Khmer female figures that are dancing or are poised to dance are considered apsaras; female figures, depicted individually or in groups, who are standing still and facing forward in the manner of temple guardians or custodians are called devatas.[4]
Angkor Wat, the largest Angkorian temple built (1116–1150 AD), features both apsaras and devata, however the devata type are the most numerous with more than 1,796 in the present research inventory.[5]
As written in www.devata.org website:
Scholars refer to the women as devatas (deities), when portrayed in large sculptures, and apsaras (dancers and singers of the gods), when groups appear in smaller sculptures.
More interesting research regarding devatas can be viewed “HERE”
This shot was taken at Bayon which is in the enclosure of Angkor Thom and famous for its giant stone faces.