Walk along Terrace of Elephants and Leper King, Angkor Thom
Elephant terrace, the name attracts attention and awe. The terrace adorned with sculpted elephants is there right in the center of Angkor Thom. Every tuk tuk driver there knows the site and you are bound to pass it as you criss cross through the several temples of Angkor in Siem Reap.
The Walk with Elephants
It is one mesmerizing walk as you walk the entire stretch of 300m terrace of elephants. The Royal terrace stretches from terrace of Baphuon at one end to terrace of the Leper King Angkor. While the expectation is a little high because of the name, I will say the disappointment isn’t too bad either. The terrace has a height of 2.5m and the entire stretch is filled with sculptures of apsaras, mythological characters, animals, warriors and of course elephants.
What is disappointing is that most of the carvings are fading or wearing away! That clear sharp cut is no longer there and many features have flattened off.
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- Life size elephants
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- 330m long Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King
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- Elephants in pair facing each other
There are 5 stairways leading on to the top of the terrace. 3 of them are in the center and 2 on either side. Terrace from the 2nd stairway to the 3rd (central) stairway is carved with life size elephants in pairs facing each other. The steps of 2nd stairway leading to the top of terrace are lined with majestic elephant trunks. Three of them in either side, the trunks pulling lotuses from the ground.
This staircase leads to leads to Phimeanakas and the Royal Palace.
Central stairway is the largest and is accessible. As you climb up you will see Naga balustrades. This one leads to Phimeanakas and the Royal Palace. However the one in the north end, the 4th staircase is closed due to its dilapidated condition. The terrace wall from 2nd to 3rd stairway has carved figures of garuda and lion headed figures alternately.
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- Alternating images of lions and garuda
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- Worn out sculpted images of lions and garuda
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- Close shot of lion headed image
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- Terrace of Leper King
Walk along Leper King Terrace
The walk ends at Leper King Terrace. You can climb to this terrace from North West side, at the extreme end of the 300m long terrace.
The bas reliefs on Leper King Terrace are stacked 3 or 4 levels high with dancing or seated figures. There are dancing asparas and their garuda warrior escorts and warriors, devatas and mythical animals carved on the walls. See if you can find the 5 headed horse among these carvings. You will have to maneuver through a narrow trench zigzagging inside 2.5m walls. The space is wide enough for just 1 person to go through.
4th staircase of Terrace of Elephants and Leper King
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- Some sections of Terrace of Leper King
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- Leper King
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- 5 headed horse
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- Sculpted images of Leper King
On the platform of this terrace there is the statue of the Leper King. There are several stories why it is named so. It is a sex-less statue in seated posture, with the right leg folded. They have draped the statue with a saffron cloth. And it seems prayers are offered on daily basis.
- He was called the Leper King because of discoloration and moss growing on it. The original statue was reminiscent of a person with leprosy.
- Based on Cambodian legend locals believe that the statue is that of Angkorian king who had leprosy.
- Yet another belief is that the statue is that of the Hindu god Yama, the god of Death. The name Dharmaraja was etched at the bottom of the original statue now in National Museum of Phnom Penh. This one is a replica.
History of Terrace of Elephants and Leper King
King Jayavarman VII built these terraces in the 13th century. Later Jayavarman VIII added more details to these terraces. Terrace of Leper King got its name from the 15th century statue found in the terrace platform.
Leper King Angkor Thom
Tour Time
It can take as less as 15minutes to walk along the terrace of elephants and Leper King. But for photography even an hour may seem less. If you have taken one day ticket it is not wise spend so much time here. May be you can ask the tuk tuk driver to drive along slowly. Or alternately you can halt at Terrace of Leper King for some time.
I would love to check this out, the place looks so mystical and magical. The details on the carvings is amazing still despite the worn and torn of weather resistance over the years. Putting this on my Cambodia list for when I get to the country.
So many temples so few time. It is amazing the work that went into them. I would love to walk along the terrace and get a closer look at the statues.
The legend of the leper king is quite interesting. The carvings of the elephant terrace are quite elaborate. I wish they could better maintain it For these are so priceless. Your posts are really urging me to go here
Loved this story. Some of the elephant sculptures reminded me of Hampi etc but of course, these ones have their own distinct styles. What I like is the saffron robe put on the statue of the Leper King. Really makes it come alive!
These photos brought back fond memories of my visit. I enjoyed the mythical creatures more than the elephants though. I always love the stories associated with places like this. There is never a definitive answer so you can decide which story you prefer. 🙂
It is a shame that a lot of the elephant statues are fading, although if it was built in the 13th century I suppose that’s not surprising! It must be hard to preserve the carvings without having too much impact on the site, and taking away the beauty of it. It is a strange name, and even stranger that there are so many theories as to why it was named after the Leper King!
I LOVED visiting Cambodia! It’s too bad I didn’t know about this when I was there last spring …which gives me a good reason to go back now! thanks for the inspo!
your photos are amazing! I like to read about less beaten trails, is the elephant terrace crowded with tourists? It looks more of a hidden gem from your photos!
So cool. Never geard of Elephant Terrace until now. People see just the main temple and come away, I guess. But there is so much more to explore. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely loved elephants terrace when I visited Ankor. It truly is a special place! I cannot remember the leper king anymore though if I actually saw it. Yet this way, I at least have another reason to come back 🙂
The terrace of elephants would be a must for me at Angor, thanks for posting more about it. Your photos really bring the sights alive, and the reliefs on the stones are just beautiful.
The terrace of elephants looks indeed mesmerizing. Visiting Cambodia is pretty high up on my list. I love taking photos, so thanks for the tip to ask the tuk tuk driver to drive along slowly.
I love these elephants. It’s amazing to see them up close and personal. I can’t imagine how many man hours it took to build these.
Lovely, bright and so elaborated sculptures. The Angkor Wat is surely some place to be.. Reminds me of the glimpses in the movie – ‘Two Brothers’ . It was all around Angkor Wat. Would love to be on this part of the world one day soon… 🙂
So wonderful. Lovely pics, Indrani!
Cambodia is on my list!
Hope to visit soon.
I wish to go back to that time.Bad luck,I don’t have a time machine.
awesome historical art work thanks for sharing
Truly Amazing
Such architectural works always make me surprised, the captures are fantastic, its really good to know about the place.
Despite the fading of time, the elephant carvings are still visible and beautiful in your photos. I love how ancient the Terrace of Elephants and Leper King carvings and area are, and still accessible to 21st century visitors. Very much worth a visit.
Aren’t the elephants just beautiful – I’d love a wall of these fine creatures in my garden! Fascinating story about the naming of the Leper King – I’d hope that it’s the moss rather than the god of death!
I had to turn down a trip here earlier this spring and planned to do this. Now I am begging to go back!
The Terrace of elephants prepared me for the sight of a herd of elephants trumpeting their way on a terrace! But yes though expectations were belied, the reality is even more fascinating than the imagination. It must have been a magnificent sight in its heyday. I was really fascinated reading about the Leper King statue. So intriguing to read that this could be the statue of the Hindu God of death, Yama.
Such a beauty! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. I really love how comprehensive this post of yours is and I really enjoyed reading the history of the Leper King. These carving are incredible I love looking at them.
What a great walk. Can’t believe we missed Elephant Terrace when we visited Cambodia. Fascinating history and so much detail. Hope to go back and see the Leper King statue soon.
I remember visiting the Elephant Terrace and I also had more expectations because the name promised a lot. However, I didn’t know the story behind the name of the statue of the Leper King, that was really interesting!
That is such a beautiful place. It is maddening that most of the structures have lasted so long and kept it beauty.
The terrace of elephants and leper king doesn’t look so bad considering when it was built! I love the story of how the sexless statue got its name. Fascinating bit of history
I have never heard about the Elephant Terrace in Angkor Thom. I love outdoor art but I agree that it is disappointing to see the art fade and degrade with time. Your photos show the art well. Even if they do leave a little to the imagination at times. Thanks for the tip that it will not take all day to see this!
The details on these walls, syaireats, and statues are amazing. The elephant terrace especially with those images and trunks. Now I know why they say it can take days to cover the Angkor temples.
What an interesting walk and such beautiful carvings. Loved reading the history behind the statue of the leper king too. It’s a shame that the carvings are worn but you would get that with age
It looks magical! Even though some of the carvings have faded, the details are just incredible. I have yet to visit Cambodia but I hope to get there soon. Thanks for all the information!
Lovely sculptures. Glad to know about this.