 Angkor temples
Terrace of the elephants
This terrace, over 300 metres long, in the
royal square in Angkor Thom is one of the masterpieces built by Yasovarman
VII (1181-1219) at the end of the 12th century.
The terrace has three main platforms and two subsidiary ones. The south
stairway is framed with three-headed elephants, gathering lotus flowers
with their trunks. The walls of the platforms are decorated with lions and
Garudas. At the north side of the platform behind the outer wall, a horse
with 5 heads sculpted in high relief stands on each side of the base of
the inner retaining wall. It is a remarkable sculpture, said to be the
representation of the bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara in
the form of the divine horse Balaha.
A 13th century account says the
terrace was covered with lead tiles and indeed, some tiles have been found
alongside the terrace.
The top platform once was covered with wooden pavilions. It housed the
council room, decorated with golden-framed windows and precious mirrors.
It was in this room that kings were crowned.
A succession of kings left their mark on the place and added their own
quarters. |
