Thom Temple at Koh Ker
| Date: | 10th century CE |
| Style: | Koh Ker |
| King: | Jayavarman IV (reign 928 – 941 CE) |
| Cult: | Hindu (Shaivite) |
Thom Temple (or Prasat Thom, Khmer: ប្រាសាទ កោះកេរ) is the main temple at the Koh Ker site, and was the state temple of Jayavarman IV when he moved the Khmer capital to Koh Ker in 921 or 928 CE – he may have had to wait for the death of Ishanavarman II to claim full sovereignty over the Khmer kingdom.
Jayavarman IV dedicated Thom Temple to Shiva Tribhuvaneshvara, Lord of the Three Worlds.
Jayavarman IV died in 941 CE and his son Harshavarman II continued to rule from Thom Temple until 944 CE, when Rajendravarman II reestablished the Devaraja cult in Angkor and erected a new statue of Shiva at Baksei Chamkrong Temple.
Thom Temple is a large temple, surrounded by moats crossed by two naga-lined causeways. It is part of an impressive architectural legacy left by Jayavarman IV at Koh Ker, and although largely in ruins the site offers some fascinating details if you have the time to take a day-trip from Siem Reap.
The pyramid called 'Prang', to the west of Thom Temple, at 36 m (120') high, is the largest ever built by the kings of Angkor. The linga that once stood at the top of Prang was about 4.5 metres (15') high.
Map of Thom Temple
Also in Angkorpedia
