Terrace of the Elephants is one aspect of the ruined temple complex of Angkor Thom. The terrace was initially attached to the Phimeanakas Palace, which has now crumbled to ruins. King Jayavarman VII originally used the terrace to view his returning army; it was also used to listen to the complaints of citizens and to see the festivals and processions that took place below. The terrace gets its name from the elephant carvings, which visitors can still see on one side. Both the Terrace of the Elephants and the nearby Terrace of the Leper King have extensive sculptures of mythological animals some of which visitors can see during their visit.

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