From 2nd century A.D through the 13th century, there used to be a kingdom called Champa in the Central and South Central Region of Vietnam. Champa owed its spiritual existence to Indian Hinduism. The remains of the Cham Civilization are still found at My Son Cham Ruins. For most of its existence, My Son was Champa's religious, cultural and political center.
The site of My Son is 65 km southwest of Hoi An and Da Nang; only 10km from Tra Kieu (The City of Lion, the Capital City of Champa). The complex comprises series of Hindu-like temples built in a valley sourrounded by mountains. At the height it's said that there were 70 structures of temples towering at the site. Nowadays only 25 of the once splendid structures remain due to time and war damages.
The construction of My Son might have started from the 4th century A.D. Studies have concluded that the first wooden temples built at My Son was in the 4th century. But these temples were burned down completely in a fire. And from the 7th century successive temples were added to My Son complex by different Cham Kings.
Each Cham King succeeded the throne would built more temples at My Son and dedicated them to their God. My Son was like a connection between the Cham people and their God. Besides My Son was the place most important ceremonies of the kingdom would take place and My Son was also the place where royal tombs were found.
Each group of temples at My Son would include a main stupa temple called Kalan and subsidiary temples encircling the main one. The temple gates would face east receiving the sun beams or to turn to their God(?). At ceremonies in the past, the devotees would pray traversing around the temples in the clockwise direction. At ceremonies the Cham would pour the holy water on the Linga. The water would drip through the Joli and trickle down.
The stupas architecture is comprised of 3 parts: the top is like Mount Meru, the middle is like Linga (Masculine Power) and the base is like Joli (Feminin). There's also a statue of God Shiva, the protector of the kingdom. The techniques the Cham used to build their temples remain to be a mystery. Take a closer look at each structure you may notice that there seems to be no glue between the bricks sticking them together. Come and visit My Son you may solve the riddle!
Champa culture is the evidence of Indian influence in Vietnam apart from the Chinese one. Traveling to My Son Cham Ruins you may find it disappointing if compared to Angkor Wat of Cambodia in the grandeur. But you may also want to know that My Son Cham Ruins were built several centuries earlier than any Hindu-influenced structures in South East Asia.
My Son Cham Ruins are still in serious degradation even though many attempts have been made to protect it. More funds and more scientific efforts are needed for this complex |