The hidden wall behind the Terrace of the Leper King shows a story about the three levels of the universe: the underworld, the earth, and the heavenly world. When the terrace was first built, this wall was covered with soil and stones, providing it with excellent protection for many centuries. When the wall was later uncovered, people found beautiful carvings of gods, mythical animals, and spirits that seemed to tell a story of life after death and the journey of the soul.
1. The Lower Level: The Underworld
At the bottom part of the wall, you can see carvings of water creatures like fish, turtles, crocodiles, and serpents (nagas).
This part represents the underworld, the place beneath the earth and under the water.
In Khmer belief, this is where powerful naga spirits live, the protectors and guardians of the land.
2. The Middle Level: The Human and Royal World
In the middle section, there are royal attendants, dancers, and warriors. These carvings show scenes from daily life in the royal court and the world of humans.
Here, people serve the gods, perform dances, and take part in royal or religious ceremonies. It shows the connection between humans and the divine world above.
3. The Upper Level: The Heavenly World
The top section shows gods and goddesses, celestial beings (apsaras and devatas), and guardians with calm faces and graceful poses.
This part represents heaven, where the gods live and watch over the world below.
Together, the three layers tell the story of the universe in Khmer belief, from the dark underworld to the bright heaven, showing the journey from earthly life to spiritual freedom.
The carvings on the hidden wall are not just decorations. They tell a spiritual story, a journey from the underworld (nagas and water creatures) to the human world (royal life) and finally to the heavenly world (gods and celestial beings). The wall itself was hidden, like a secret layer of the universe, waiting to be discovered.
