Terrace of the Leper King

Located within the Royal Square at the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Leper King is an elevated stone platform, adorned with a series of enigmatic bas reliefs, which dates back to the late Angkorian period during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Locally known as Preah Ponlea Sdach Komlong, the complex was constructed during the late 12th century, when the Khmer empire was at its zenith and spirituality was as grand as its architecture.

The site is named after the statue which was found seated on the top of the terrace. Historically, the figure has been associated with the ascetic Yasovarman I, an Angkorian King who reigned between 889 - 910AD. Although it remains unproven, many legends claim the king was struck by a mysterious malady, leprosy, a divine curse perhaps meted out for sins of a past life. His isolation, both physical and spiritual, became a sombre emblem of the fragile nature of power and the heavy price of hubris. When the naked, asexual statue was rediscovered by French archaeologists in the 1800's, it was heavily discoloured and covered in moss, making it appear diseased. It is also missing its fingers, toes and genitals.

The current statue is a replica, the original (pictured on the right) is preserved in the National Museum in Phnom Penh

More widely accepted theories suggest the statue represents Dharmaraja or Yama, the Hindu god of death and the ruler of the underworld. Yama is the cosmic judge who presides over the fate of souls after death, weighing their karma and assigning them to rebirth or punishment. It's not the name of a single individual but rather an epithet that has been used in various cultures, in reference to a divine being or a mortal ruler who upholds righteousness and law.

The U-shaped sandstone structure measures approximately 25 meters in length and 6 metres in height. Architecturally, one of its most fascinating features is the hidden inner corridor, which was discovered when parts of the outer wall began to disintegrate. The narrow passage is enclosed by two elaborately decorated walls, packed with richly carved reliefs depicting underworld figures and mythological beings. Scholars believe this sacred path may have been associated with royal funerary rituals, where the dead king’s spirit was honoured and prepared for the afterlife.

Protected from centuries of weathering, the reliefs on the inner wall are extremely well preserved

The sandstone sculptures are rich with symbolism, depicting scenes of religious rites and epic battles between celestial forces. Many of these carvings combine Hindu and Buddhist iconography, reflecting an era in which the empire’s spiritual landscape was in dynamic flux. Some scholars believe these reliefs represent the eternal struggle between order and chaos, while others see them as veiled accounts of historical events, a visual chronicle of power, prosperity and inevitable decline, where the beauty of creation was forever tainted by the spectre of loss.

Location : Angkor Archaeological Park, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap Province, Kingdom of Cambodia

How to get there : The Terrace of the Elephants is located near the centre of the Angkor Thom complex, just north of Bayon Temple and immediately north of the Terrace of the Elephants. It forms part of the 'small circuit' tour and is best visited early morning, when the majority of other tourists are at Angkor Wat.

Attraction Info : Admission is included with the Angkor temple pass. Entrance fees are structured to accommodate various itineraries. A 1-day pass is $37USD, a 3-day pass is $62USD and a 7-day pass at $72USD. Tickets can be purchased at the official Angkor Ticket Office or online. The grounds are open between 7:30am - 5:30pm.

ព្រះលានស្តេចគម្លង់

Official Website : https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/

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