Terrace of the Leper King
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The Terrace of the Leper King (or Leper King Terrace) 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. He was called the Leper King because discoloration and moss growing on the original statue was reminiscent of a person with leprosy, and also because it fit in with a Cambodian legend of an Angkorian king who had leprosy. The name that the Cambodians know him by, however, is Dharmaraja,[1] 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.
Angkorian Sites edit | |
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Angkor | Angkor Thom | Angkor Wat | Bakong | Baksei Chamkrong | Banteay Kdei | Banteay Samré | Banteay Srei | Baphuon | The Bayon | Chau Say Tevoda | East Baray | East Mebon | Kbal Spean | The Khleangs | Krol Ko | Lolei | Neak Pean | Phimeanakas | Phnom Bakheng | Phnom Krom | Prasat Ak Yum | Prasat Kravan | Preah Khan | Preah Ko | Preah Palilay | Preah Pithu | Pre Rup | Spean Thma | Srah Srang | Ta Prohm | Ta Som | Ta Keo | Terrace of the Elephants | Terrace of the Leper King | Thommanon | West Baray | West Mebon | Yasodharapura |
Rest of Cambodia | Banteay Chhmar | Beng Mealea | Koh Ker | Prasat Preah Vihear |
Thailand | Lopburi | Phanom Rung | Muang Tum | Phimai | Mueang Sing |
Laos | Wat Phou | Oum Moung |