Thommanon, Siem Reap

Buddhist 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.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (527)

Thommanon Temple, set amid jungle ruins in Siem Reap, is a small, peaceful Hindu temple noted for its elegant, well-preserved sandstone carvings and calm atmosphere; visitors describe it as a quiet, charming stop—smaller than the grander Angkor monuments but worth visiting for its intricate devata-style artwork and tranquil grounds, often overlooked by tour groups and conveniently located opposite Chau Say Tevoda.

Sokleng Srou

3 weeks ago

"Small temple but so beautiful ❤️ Thommanon Temple is a charming and well-preserved Hindu temple with intricate carvings. Its peaceful grounds,elegant stone details, and calm atmosphere make it a lovely stop to appreciate Khmer art and history while exploring Angkor...."

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Chetra Yoeurn

a week ago

"Thommanon is a small, exquisite Hindu temple situated in the Angkor Archaeological Park, constructed in the early 12th century, directly across fromthe Chau Say Tevoda temple. This temple is undeniably remarkable, offering a serene atmosphere and tranquility. I admire the stu ing and graceful architecture, as well as the artwork adorning the walls. I wholeheartedly recommend that you visit it at least once...."

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Seng Pheng

2 months ago

"Thommanon is a small but elegant Hindu temple located in the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia, near the Gate of Victory of AngkorThom and directly opposite Chau Say Tevoda temple. The temple really amazing, I love it. Here are some key facts about Thommanon Temple: Date: It was built in the early 12th century, around the same time as Angkor Wat, during the reign of King Suryavarman II. Religion: It is dedicated to Hinduism, specifically to the deities Shiva and Vishnu. Architectural Style: It is built in the Angkor Wat style and is known for its well-preserved, intricate sandstone carvings, particularly the devatas (female deities). Structure: It is a single-towered temple with an east-facing central sanctuary, preceded by a mandapa (antechamber) and a gopura (entrance pavilion). Condition: It is in relatively good condition, thanks in part to an extensive restoration project carried out by French archaeologists in the 1960s. UNESCO Site: It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. That’s all my story for Google Contribution this time, I hope it’s useful. If there is something that doesn’t match my writing, please confirm so I can fix it. Thank you...."

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

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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