The Only Evidence of a Lost Asian Civilization
In December 1999, during the 23rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Marrakesh, My Son Sanctuary was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
The site was listed under Criterion II, representing an important example of cultural exchange, and Criterion III, as a unique testimony to a vanished civilization. That civilization was the ancient Champa Civilization, which flourished in Central Vietnam from the late 2nd century to the early 19th century.
Today, My Son remains one of the most valuable archaeological sites that preserves the cultural and religious legacy of this once powerful kingdom.
A Sacred Purification Site for Cham Kings
In the past, My Son Sanctuary served as the holy land of Hinduism for the Champa Kingdom.
After ascending the throne, every Cham king would travel to My Son to perform sacred purification rituals, offer ceremonial gifts, and build temples dedicated to the gods.
Beyond religious ceremonies, My Son also functioned as a major cultural and spiritual center of the Champa dynasty. Many powerful kings and priests were believed to be buried here, making it both a sacred sanctuary and an important royal burial site.
Temple Towers Rotated Clockwise
In traditional Cham architecture, there was a strict rule: the main entrance of every temple tower must face east to welcome the morning sunlight.
In Hindu belief, the rising sun symbolizes life energy and the divine power of the god Shiva, who was worshipped as the supreme god in Champa religion.
However, archaeologists have discovered that five tower groups at My Son have entrances facing southeast instead of east. This unusual orientation suggests that these tower complexes were rotated clockwise, possibly due to geological changes or reconstruction over centuries.
Hindu Gods and Sacred Symbolism
My Son Sanctuary was built in a fertile valley near the headwaters of the Thu Bon River.
The temples are constructed from red bricks arranged in multiple layers and decorated with intricate sandstone carvings. These carvings depict many figures and symbols associated with Hindu mythology, including:
- Hindu gods and goddesses
- The celestial dancers known as Apsara
- Sacred animals and Cham kings
- Decorative motifs such as flames, lotus flowers, plants, and mythical serpents called Naga
- The mythical time deity Kala
These elements reflect the strong influence of Hinduism on Champa culture and architecture.
Ancient Inscriptions and Unique Temple Structures
Archaeologists discovered an ancient inscription at My Son Sanctuary stating that King Bhadravarman I, the founder of the Champa kingdom, built the first temple here and dedicated the entire valley to the god Shiva.
He also requested future kings to preserve and expand the sacred complex.
Over centuries, many Cham rulers continued to build new temples. Each temple often included inscriptions written in Sanskrit or ancient Cham language, describing the history of the king who built it.
So far, about 32 ancient steles have been discovered, some still preserved at the site while others are displayed in the My Son museum exhibition area.
The temple complex also includes unique architectural structures such as:
- Kalan – the main tower used for worship
- Kosagrha – a building used to store sacred fire or ritual objects
These structures reveal the advanced architectural and religious traditions of the Champa civilization.
