Angkor, Cambodia. Detail of a "devata" at Banteay Srei Temple, 10th century AD. Deva is the Hindu term for deity. Devatas are smaller more focused devas, the equivalent of guardian spirits or guardian angels. The term "devata" also means devas (deva in plural form or the gods). They are male and female devata. There are many kinds of devatas: vanadevatas (forest spirits, perhaps descendants of early nature-spirit cults), gramadevata (village gods), devata of river crossings, caves, mountains, and so on. Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today.