Thommanon

Temple in Siem Reap

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ziegler175

Thommanon is a Hindu temple located at Angkor, Cambodia, built during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113–1150). This small yet elegant temple lies east of the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom and north of Chau Say Tevoda, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1992. Thommanon is dedicated to the deities Shiva and Vishnu.

History of Thommanon Temple
Structure of Thommanon Temple
Devatas of Thommanon Temple

History of Thommanon Temple

Scholars studying the temple’s carvings, particularly the depictions of devatas (female divine figures), suggest that Thommanon was constructed around the time work began on Angkor Wat. While some believe the temple was built during the reign of Jayavarman VI (1080–1113), the prevailing view is that it was erected by Suryavarman II, around the same time as Angkor Wat and Beng Mealea (1113–1150).

Suryavarman II adopted the Vaishnavite cult in Cambodia, merging it with the Shaivite cult, as seen in temples like Thommanon, Beng Mealea, Chau Say Tevoda, Banteay Samre, and Angkor Wat. Thommanon lies directly opposite Chau Say Tevoda, 500 meters east of the Victory Gate and along the route to Ta Keo. In the 1960s, it was fully restored by the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), with French archaeologists adding concrete ceilings.

Structure of Thommanon Temple

Thommanon is a single-towered temple with an east-facing central sanctuary topped by a prasat (tower). The temple is accessed via a gopura, followed by a mandapa (antechamber) before reaching the central sanctuary. The temple’s carvings are well-preserved, and the weathered sandstone contrasts with the surrounding jungle. The tower’s architectural style is similar to that of Angkor Wat and Chau Say Tevoda.

Compared to Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon is better preserved, largely because its superstructure lacks stone-enclosed wooden beams. Its use of sandstone for carvings reflects a more advanced architectural approach compared to other nearby temples that were mostly wood-based. All doorways are adorned with carved pediments.

The temple’s compound walls have vanished, leaving only the eastern and western entry gates. The central tower is the remaining structure of the main temple, suggesting that Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda were originally part of a larger compound with shared gates. A separate building from the main temple was likely a library.

Devatas of Thommanon Temple

The temple is renowned for its abundant depictions of devatas—female divine figures, which are a central feature of Thommanon. These figures are intricately carved with flower crowns, sampots (traditional Cambodian skirts), necklaces, armbands, belts, and ankle bands. The mudras (hand gestures) of the devatas are particularly distinct, with the figures gripping a flower in a specific way: the middle and ring fingers press against the thumb while the index and small fingers extend. This “devata mudra” is also prominent at Angkor Wat.

The devatas’ sampots are of two types: the ancient pleated style seen in the Bakheng period (e.g., at Lolei and Phnom Bok), and a patterned fabric style with folds and a “tail,” similar to those seen at Angkor Wat.

The Thommanon appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!