First off, this terrace is located in the northwest corner of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom. It's a pretty unique spot because it was built in the Bayon style under the rule of King Jayavarman VII. But here's the twist - it's actually named after an 8th-century sculpture found here. And you won't believe why they called it the "Leper King!"
Legend has it that the sculpture got its name because it looked like a person with leprosy. Discoloration and moss growing on it made it quite a sight! But wait, it gets even better. There's a Cambodian legend about King Yasovarman I who also had leprosy. So, people started calling this sculpture the "Leper King." Isn't that funny?
But here's the thing, the Cambodians actually know him as Dharmaraja. That's because the name "Dharmaraja" was etched at the bottom of the original statue. So, we've got two names for the king: the Leper King and Dharmaraja. Quite a personality!
Now, some people think that this U-shaped structure might have been used as a royal cremation site. Can you imagine that? A place where kings were laid to rest! It's like a final resting place fit for a king, or in this case, the Leper King.
Oh, and here's a little fun fact bonus for you: did you know that there's a play called "The Terrace of the Leper King" written by Yukio Mishima? It's actually his final play before his death in 1970. The play revolves around King Jayavarman VII and his battle against the Chams. As the construction of the temple progresses, the king's skin starts showing signs of leprosy. Talk about dramatic!
Well, that wraps up our time at the Terrace of the Leper King. I hope you enjoyed this quirky stop on our tour. Let's move on to the next exciting location, shall we?
