Booking Partner Best Deal

Terrace of the Leper King

Terrace of the Leper King

  • Travel Location Siem Reap
  • The Terrace of the Leper King is located in the northwest corner of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. It was built in the Bayon style under Jayavarman VII, though its modern name derives from a 15th-century sculpture discovered at the ...

OVERVIEW

The stone monarch is absolutely naked, his hair is plaited and he sits in the Javanese fashion. The legs are too short for the torso, and the forms, much too rounded, lack the strong protuberances of manly muscles; but, however glaring are his defects, he has many beauties, and as a study of character he is perhaps the masterpiece of Khmer sculpture. Whilst his body is at rest his soul boils within him.

Terrace of the Leper King is located immediately north of the Terrace of the Elephants and it can be accessed from the main road. It was built at end of the 12th century by king Jayavarman VII (reigned 1181-1220)

Video Travel Inspiration

Intro of Terrace of the Leper King

The Terrace of the Leper King (or Leper King Terrace) (Khmer: ព្រះលានស្តេចគំលង់, Preah Learn Sdech Kunlung) is located in the northwest corner of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom, Cambodia.

It was built in the Bayon style under Jayavarman VII, though its modern name derives from a 15th-century sculpture discovered at the site. The statue depicts the Hindu god Yama, the god of death.

The statue was called the "Leper King" because discolouration and moss growing on it was reminiscent of a person with leprosy, and also because it fit in with a Cambodian legend of an Angkorian king Yasovarman I who had leprosy. The name that the Cambodians know him by, however, is Dharmaraja, as this is what was etched at the bottom of the original statue.

The U-shaped structure is thought by some to have been used as a royal cremation site.

Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half-meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas spanning the front of Baphuon, Phimeanakas and the Royal Palace area at the heart of Angkor Thom. The northern section of the wall displays some particularly fine sculpture including the five headed horse and scenes of warriors and dancers. Constructed in part by Jayavarman VII and extended by his successor. The wall faces east so the best lighting for photography before noon. The Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants.

Background of Terrace of the Leper King

The terrace of the Leper King carries on the theme of grandeur that characterises the building during Jayavarman VII's reign. It is faced with dramatic bas-reliefs, both on the interior and exterior. During clearing, the EFEO found a second wall with bas-relief similar in composition to those of the outer wall.

Some archaeologists believe that this second wall is evidence of a late rites, two meters wide of laterite faced with sandstone. It collapsed and a second wall of the materials, two meters wide, was built right in front of it without any of the rubble being cleared. Recently, the EFEO has created a false corridor which allows visitor to inspect the relief on the first wall.

Leper King

The curious name of this terrace refers to a statue of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace. The one you see today is a copy. The original is in the court-yard of the National Museum in Phnom Penh. the figure is depicted in a seated position with his right knee raised, a position some art historians consider to be Javanese-style. Its nakedness is unusual in Khmer art.

Who was the Leper King ? Mystery and uncertainty surround the origin of the name. The long-held theory that Jayavarman VII was a leper and that is why he built so many hospitals throughout the empire has no historical support whatsoever. Some historians think the figure represents Kubera, god of wealth, or Yasovaraman I, both of whom were allegedly lepers.

Another ideas is based on an inscription that appears on the statue in characters of the 14th or 15th century which may be translated as the equivalent of the assessor of Yama, god of death or of judgment. Yet another theory suggests that the Leper King statue got its name because of the lichen which grows on it. The position of the hand, now missing, also suggests it was holding something.

Coedès believes that most of the Khmer monuments were funerary temples and that the remains of kings were deposited there after cremation. He thinks, therefore, that the royal crematorium was located on the Terrace of the Leper King. The statues, then, represents the god of death and is properly situated on the terrace to serve this purpose. Yet another theory derives from a legend in a Cambodian chronicle that tells of a minister who refused to prostrate before the king, who hit him with his sword. Venomous spittle fell on the king, who then became a leper and was called the Leper King thereafter.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BUS TICKETS, HERE YOU CAN BOOK IN ADVANCE

Popular Package Tours in Siem Reap

Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei Temple Tour

from Siem Reap

Half-Day

Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei Temple Tour

Ta Prohm is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called ...

Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure

from Siem Reap

4.5 Hours

Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure

Cambodia Quad Bike offers fun and memorable way to explore scenic Siem Reap countryside. From short one hour rides to full day adventures – we have something for everyone. No experience necessary ...

Angkor Wat and Banteay Srey Temple Discovery Tour

from Siem Reap

2 Days

Angkor Wat and Banteay Srey Temple Discovery Tour

We will continue our tour and arrive at the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom comprises of renowned Bayon and Baphoun temples originally made up of 54 towers and 216 faces of Buddhisatva ...

Cambodia Family Package Tour with Horse Riding

from Siem Reap

4 Days

Cambodia Family Package Tour with Horse Riding

The half-day horse riding tour through the countryside, scenic rice fields and tourist-free temple ruins is the highlight of this tour. And you also have the chance to have a half day tour to Tonle ...

Siem Reap - Battambang Adventure Tours

from Siem Reap

5-Days

Siem Reap - Battambang Adventure Tours

After enjoying your lunch break, we continue to explore the most spectacular building, Angkor Wat temple and if you prefer to sunset, the best spot is Phnom Bakheng hill. We have to be a sunset spot ...

Angkor Secret Adventure Tour

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Angkor Secret Adventure Tour

Angkor Secret Adventure Tour Like a good blockbuster, this best selling Siem Reap tour is entertaining, enthralling, and hard to pass up. See Angkor's most famed temples from the serene smiling faces ...

 

Book Hotels in Siem Reap with our Top Pick!

Shinta Mani Angkor Bensley Collection

Siem Reap

Aroma Angkor Boutique Hotel

Siem Reap

Charming Angkor Resort & Spa

Siem Reap

Primefold Hotel

Siem Reap

Sokkhak Boutique Resort

Siem Reap

Secondfold Residence

Siem Reap

 

Recommended Cambodia Tour Themes

Couldn't find suitable trip for you? Let us help you!

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.

Flag Counter