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.
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 lion
standing Garuda and lion carvings along the wall
standing 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.
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
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.
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.
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