Terrace of Leper King, Angkor Thom

Another place visiting in Angkor is the Terrace of Leper King! or Preah Ponlea Sdach Komlong. This terrace has been named after a statue with an umbrella.

the whole stretch of wall carved

Terrace of the Leper King. Some Key Facts

Location:

• Hidden within Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Leper King is one of the site's most intriguing monuments, located just north of the Terrace of the Elephants.

Historiacal background:

• The terrace was built approximately in the late 12th century, during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, a period which was marked by immense architecture and deep spiritual symbolism.

Origin of the name:

• The monument takes its name from the mysterious Leper King statue that once stood on the terrace and this gave the terrace its name.

But, Who is the “Leper King”?

• The statue’s white, patchy appearance led to the belief that it portrayed a king afflicted with leprosy—an interpretation that would shape its identity for centuries.
• Later identified by some scholars as Kubera, the God of Wealth
• But, the most widely accepted interpretation today:
• Dharmaraja, the King of Justice who is associated with Yama, the God of Death
• The name Dharmaraja is inscribed at the base of the original statue.
• The original statue is now in the National Museum in Phnom Penh, the statue on the terrace today is a replica

Discoloration mystery:

• The statue’s appearance may be due to mold and centuries of weathering
• The “leprosy” look may not have been intentional

Architectural significance

• The terrace represents Mount Meru, the cosmic center of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist belief
• Stretching approximately 25 meters, the terrace walls are richly covered with intricate sculptural reliefs, making the site as visually compelling as it is symbolic.

Unique structural feature

• It consists of both an outer wall and an inner wall
• The inner wall is older
• It was buried for centuries and rediscovered later in 1960's, revealing remarkably preserved carvings
• The carvings include multi-headed naga, demons, royal figures, apsaras. 
• The outer walls however are different, it has scenes of palace life, a sword swallower, Shiva holding a trident.

Why it stands out

• Combines myth, symbolism, and archaeology
• One of Angkor’s most mysterious and visually striking terraces

The Story of the Terrace of the Leper King

• Hidden within Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Leper King is one of the site’s most intriguing monuments, located just north of the Terrace of the Elephants.
• The terrace was built in the late 12th century, during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, a period marked by ambitious architecture and deep spiritual symbolism.
• The monument takes its name from the mysterious “Leper King” statue that once stood on the terrace and immediately captured the imagination of visitors and scholars alike.
• The statue’s white, patchy appearance led to the belief that it portrayed a king afflicted with leprosy—an interpretation that would shape its identity for centuries.
• Over time, many theories emerged about who the figure actually represents:
• Some believed it depicted King Yasovarman I, rumored to have suffered from leprosy.
• Others identified it as Kubera, the Hindu God of Wealth.
• Today, the most widely accepted view is that the figure represents Dharmaraja, the King of Justice, also associated with Yama, the God of Death.
• This identification is supported by the name Dharmaraja, which is inscribed at the base of the original statue, now preserved in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. The statue seen on the terrace today is a replica.
• It is also likely that the statue’s discolored appearance was caused by centuries of weathering and mold, rather than depiction of disease.
• Beyond the statue, the terrace itself holds deep symbolic meaning, representing Mount Meru, the sacred mountain believed to be the center of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.

outer wall

sculptings on outer wall

multi-head Naga on inner wall

multi-head Naga on outer wall

outer wall

The lower tier has celestial beings with lotus in their hands

sword swallower

Lord Shiva

On the side, if you notice carefully, are sculptings of marine life as fish, crocodiles. Did this area ever serve as a pool?

This side has scenes from day today life. On the side are two women doing some house chore. In the center is a sword swallower, a man beating a drum and next are two women talking to each other.

Apsara carvings on inner wall

view of the inner wall from above

Inner wall sculptures:

The Leper King:

On the terrace sits a lone statue of The Leper King.

The statue has white colored patches which gives an impression of its having leprosy.  But whom does it represent?

It was earlier believed to be a former King as Yasovaraman I had leprosy. It was then believed to be of Kuber, the God of Wealth. The most suited description fits with Dharmaraja, the Dharma King or Yama, the God of Death. The name Dharmaraja is etched at the bottom of original statue which is now in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. This one is a copy of the original. Maybe, probably with time the stone has collected mold giving it a discolored look.

The statue sits with its right leg raised, the other knee touching the ground. His left hand rests on his left knee. Its body is draped in a yellow cloth. There appears to be space in its hands, as though it once held an object. If this figure represents Yama, the Hindu "God of Death", it should be holding a mace.

Due to tropical weathering and the effect of lichens on stone, the statue became discolored due to corrosion. This gave the effect of a skin disease. Moreover, since the direction is north, it is assumed to be a person of royalty. The Leper King was thus born and the statue came to be known popularly as the "The Leper King"

The hair is knotted, and the figure sports a prominent moustache. Its canine teeth protrude slightly, lending it a fearsome appearance.

But why would there be a statue of Yama in this place? It stands to the north of the Royal Palace, a direction traditionally reserved for royal cremations. Val Prah Men is a pavilion prepared for funeral pyres. Could this site mark the pavilion where royalty were cremated? The grounds below would have allowed the public to gather and pay their last respects to the deceased.

Was the area supposed to publicly punish the criminals? The exact reason for this terrace still seems not very clear.

view of Terrace of Elephants from here

view of terrace from car park

Moving south from here is the Terrace of Elephants.

Terrace of Elephants, Angkor Thom

The Terrace of Elephants served as a ceremonial platform. It was built by King Jayavarman VII toward the end of the 12th century, with later kings adding to the structure.

The terrace is believed to have once supported wooden pavilions and viewing galleries, from where the king and his court could observe public ceremonies, processions, and parades. These wooden structures, however, could not withstand the passage of time and no longer survive.

This ceremonial U-shaped place runs for a distance of 300 meters north to south. 

Structural plan of terrace:

The terrace has five projections, or perrons, spaced at intervals along its length. The central perron is positioned directly in front of the Royal Palace.

Grand entrance to Royal Palace or the central perron:

Of the five perrons, the central one is the largest and most prominent, aligned with the Royal Palace. A grand staircase, guarded by lion sculptures, leads up to this perron. The staircase opens onto a terrace that forms part of the Royal Palace complex behind it.

The tiers of platform:

The first platform has carvings of Garuda alternating with standing lions. Naga platform forms a balustrade throughtout the whole length of terrace.

The second platform which rises 1 meter has asuras and devas.

The third platform again rises slightly has two lions on its side.

The fourth level has nothing much left.

base of first platform with garuda and lions with naga balustrade

first tier with garuda and lions, two lions sit on each side

The second tier is decorated with asuras and devtas

the second platform with asuras and devas

first and second platform, asuras and devtas on this platform

After few steps, the platform rises by 1 meter for the third platform. It again rises slightly after few steps.

third platform, sides of steps are flanked by standing lions. Straight in front is the east entrance to Royal Palace.There must have been scuptures in this area but with time, only big stones are witness to time.

fourth level, nothing remains now, partial remains of naga balustrade

entrance to Royal Palace in front of fourth terrace

naga balustrade, terrace looking to Victory Gate

Purpose of the terrace:

The Royal Palace stands directly behind the terrace, and the ruling king is believed to have come here regularly to appear before his subjects.

Parade grounds:

The vast open grounds in front of the terrace served as a venue for games, ceremonial processions, and festivals. They were also used to honor victorious armies returning from battle.

As an Audience platform:

The terrace likely supported a wooden roof, which has not survived the passage of time. From this elevated platform, the king addressed the people, heard petitions, and resolved the concerns of his subjects.

Lesser perron or south perron

Flanking the central perron are four smaller ones, each with a staircase leading up to a raised platform.

Three large elephant heads project outward from the wall. Their trunks extend downward to form pillars reaching the ground. These sculptures closely resemble the elephant heads seen at the South gate at Angkor Thom.

Large elephant heads protrude out of wall

Elephant head sculptures:

Large elephant heads project outward from the wall. These elephants represent Airavata, the divine mount of Indra.

The trunks of these elephants touch the ground to form a base. Their heads have an ornamental piece suggesting ceremonial elephants.

Carvings of Garuda and lions:

The terrace walls are richly carved with figures of Garuda alternating with lions, adding to the monument’s symbolic and ceremonial grandeur.

alternate lion and Garuda carvings

alternate garuda and lionstanding Garuda and lion carvings along the wall

Naga balustrade:

The entire length of the platform is bordered by a naga balustrade, enhancing the terrace’s ceremonial and symbolic character.

Elephant carvings on Southern grand staircase or South Peron:

In one section, the wall is decorated with a series of elephant sculptures carved in relief.

 

In another section, a elephant head protruding along with cavings

elephant head coming out of the wall

The place is so named as the wall has many elephant carvings on the eastern side. It extends from Baphuon in south to Terrace of Leper King in north.

On careful observation, you can clearly see mahout on elephants, hunting scenes, elephants fighting.

Northern Grand staircase or North Peron:

This platform near the terrace of Leper King is perhaps the grandest of all the staircases. On the side wall are beautifully sculpted features.

The peron has two lions on either side.

On the lower side are three trunks of elephants coming out of wall. On both sides, are carvings of apsara and garuda.

Garuda and lion grace the lower tier, whereas just above them are apsaras.

numerous carvings of Apsara

steps leading to upper side to the lotus seat from the side of Terrace of Leper King

South to the Terrace of Leper King, are a flight of steps leading to upper floor, guardians on side

side wall

sculptures on side of stairs

The sculptures portray men wrestling, chariots, and scenes of everyday life.

Upper side:

The centerpiece here is a high rostrum with three elephants heads on either side of a lotus seat. The terrace face east towards the Victory Gate.

lotus seat in center, two three headed elephants on sides

The lotus seat suggests that an image was placed here. The image is missing. Was the image that of Buddha or some other God?

broken pieces on floor. Are the holes in stones made for parasols for Kings?

The elephants here are slightly different.

The three large elephant heads project from the wall. Their trunks are adorned with ornamental bands, suggesting the golden headpieces traditionally placed on ceremonial elephants, bells hang from their neck and each trunk hold lotus buds.

On either side of the elephants, the walls are sculpted with apsaras.

carvings with apsara and kalmukha below the lotus seat

In between the three-headed elephants, is seen a kalamukha surrounded by a collection of devtas, apsaras. 

On the side stand standing apsaras

naga balustrade

floor pf terrace

Prasat Sour Prat:

How can one miss not seeing tower like structures in front of the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King?

These are series of 12 laterite towers on the east of Royal Palace or one can say on the opposite side across the road. No archeological evidence, inscription, stele or any information has been found of these towers. It is believed to be built probably around 12th-13th century.

Prasat Sour Prat on either side of road to Victory Gate

The Victory Avenue divides the row of towers into two parts with 6 towers on its each side.

Purpose and construction of Prasat Sour Prat:

The architecture of these towers is very different than temple, so they obviously did not serve as a place for worship.

The size of tower diminish in size as it goes up.

All towers have one big window and  doors face the west. The door in each tower open into a single room with one big window. The doors face west.

The purpose and even the exact name of these towers is still not very clear.

Divine Judgement:

It is supposed that these towers served as a place to make peace between two people. Whenever two people had a disagreement, they would be forced to sit with each other in one of the towers for four days.

During this time, the person who had wronged would start feeling sick from stomach issues, cold and fever. The person who was right would remain healthy. The purpose does not seem logical but it is said to be closest reason.

There are so many places to take pictures. Any number of photographs taken always feels less. A place worth visiting.