Two Ancient Deity Heads Return to Angkor Thom’s Victory Gate
The heads of two ancient deity statues were reattached at the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom on 1 October 2026, in a ceremony that returns part of Angkor’s heritage to its original place.
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Two ancient deity statues at the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom have their heads back. In a traditional ceremony on 1 October 2026, the sandstone heads were reattached to their original statues in the Angkor Archaeological Park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Siem Reap province.
Key points
- The heads of two ancient deity statues were reattached at Angkor Thom’s Victory Gate on 1 October 2026.
- The ceremony was part of the campaign “Returning Spirits to Their Original Sites”.
- Almost all of the gate’s missing heads have now been recovered; only three remain in museums abroad.
- H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, presided with UNESCO’s Representative to Cambodia.
Returning spirits to their original sites
The ceremony was part of a campaign called “Returning Spirits to Their Original Sites”, which brings recovered sculpture back to the temples it came from. It was presided over by H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, with Mr. Flavio Bonetti, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, and Buddhist monks who chanted and blessed the statues.
H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona said the restoration helps return an important part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage for future generations and visitors. Mr. Flavio Bonetti called the ceremony an important act of respect for Khmer culture and its World Heritage significance.
The causeway of gods and demons
The approach to the Victory Gate is lined with 108 figures, devas (gods) on one side and asuras (demons) on the other, depicting the Hindu legend of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Khmer kings once held coronations and ceremonies for departing armies at the gate.
Almost all of the missing heads from the causeway have now been recovered, some through archaeological excavation and others from international collections. Only three remain in museums abroad, and efforts continue to bring them home.
Sources: Xinhua, Khmer Times.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Angkor Thom’s Victory Gate in October 2026?
The heads of two ancient deity statues were reattached at the gate on 1 October 2026, as part of the “Returning Spirits to Their Original Sites” campaign.
How many heads from the Victory Gate are still missing?
Almost all have been recovered; three remain in museums abroad, and efforts continue to return them.
What do the statues at the Victory Gate represent?
The 108 devas and asuras lining the approach depict the Hindu legend of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
