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.

entrance to Royal Palace

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

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 of terrace

Prasat Suor Prat:

In front of Terrace of Elephants, are a series of small structures, the Prasat Suor Prat. It is not clear the exact purpose of these.

I plan to write a detailed post on suor prat soon.