Thommanon, built around the same time as Angkor Wat, features elaborate carvings that are considered some of the finest at Angkor.
While small and less frequently visited by its big-brother, this charming little temple may have served as a model for designs employed at the great state temple of Suryavarman II.
While the temple appears to have been left incomplete, Thommonon underwent restoration in the 1960s and features well preserved ornamentation, particularly the elaborately carved devatas (female guardians) on the exterior of the temple and the lintels and pediments above doorways and on tower facades, which depict episodes from the Ramayana and pay homage to both Siva and Vishnu.
Thommoanon lies just opposite chao-say-thevoda along the victory-road. Because of the two temples’ positions on either side of the road, it was once thought that the two were constructed as a pair; however, as the temples pre-date the Victory Road and appear to have been built at different times, this relationship is dubious.
Orientation
Combine a visit to Thommanon with Chao Say Tevoda, which lies just opposite it along the Victory Road. You will approach Thammonon from the south, so the central sanctuary is the tower directly ahead of you on the left. Although the temple is small, there are numerous carvings both inside and outside the temple that are worth appreciating.
First walk around to the east side of the temple and examine the carvings on the ancillary towers. As you approach the central sanctuary from the east, take note of the carved pediments and lintels above the doorways as you head towards the central shrine, the finest of which features a four armed Vishnu riding atop his vehicle, the Garuda. A headless Buddha image is enshrined within the central sanctuary.
From the antechamber of the central sanctuary, looking out the windows will provide a close-up of the renowned devata carvings, which can also be appreciated by exiting the tower and walking carefully along the exterior of the shrine.
Need to Know
- What is it: A small, but elaborately adorned Hindu temple.
- When to visit: it is worth coming back to Thommanon at different times of the day to catch the light on the carvings at different aspects.
- Nearest Town: Siem Reap
- Don’t Miss: Elaborte carvings of devatas and lintels
- King: Suryavarman II
- Date: 11th century
- Religion: Hinduism
- Artistic Style: Angor Wat