I. My Son Sanctuary History
As you embark on a journey to My Son Holy Land, an indispensable facet of your experience is the captivating narrative shared by your guides. Immerse yourself in the rich historical tapestry of the sanctuary, an intricate tale that unfolds against the backdrop of the Cham people’s legacy.
Hailing from the vibrant mosaic of Southeast Asia, the Cham people emerge as an ethnic group of profound significance. Their presence reverberates across the realms of both Cambodia and Vietnam, cementing their place as an integral part of Muslim communities. A vestige of the Cham Pa Kingdom, which thrived from the 7th to the 15th centuries, the Cham heritage stands intertwined with the Malay race, forging connections that transcend time.
Spanning from the 4th to the 15th centuries, a distinctive cultural realm flourished along the contemporary shores of Vietnam. This cultural mosaic drew its spiritual origins from Indian Hinduism, intricately woven into the fabric of Cham identity. A testament to this intricate interplay is etched into the landscape of My Son Holy Land, a site brimming with awe-inspiring tower-temples. Situated dramatically, this locale held the mantle of the religious and political epicenter of the Chăm Pa Kingdom, a role it admirably upheld throughout its existence.
Let the echoes of the past guide you through this journey of exploration, as My Son Holy Land beckons with its unrivaled historical grandeur.
Inscribed upon stone steles, the annals of history unveil the origin of the revered My Son architectural complex. It began as a wooden sanctuary, dedicated to venerating the Siva Bhadreshwara genie. Yet, the annals tell of a fiery fate that befell this edifice in the late 16th century, reducing it to ashes. In the wake of destruction, the diligent pursuit of knowledge by scholars has unveiled layers of historical enigma.
Bearing witness to this historical narrative, stone steles and the chronicles of royal dynasties interlock to verify a profound truth: My Son stands as the paramount Holy Land of the Cham people during the epochs in question. With meticulous precision, these records echo the distinct style and history of this venerable civilization, immortalizing their legacy through the ages.
Legacy of Culture: Unveiling the Cultural Significance of My Son Holy Land
1. Religion
A magnetic allure stems from the spiritual essence imbued within My Son Holy Land. This archeological marvel stands as a testament to a continuous religious legacy, not solely within the Cham Kingdom but spanning the entirety of Southeast Asia.
Nestled within the expanse of Quang Nam province, a sprawling 2-kilometer wide valley cradles the My Son Sanctuary temple complex. Here, a history of devotion and prayer unfolds, serving as the epicenter for Cham Pa reigns’ sacred rituals. Not merely a site of worship, My Son evolves into an intermediary, bridging the earthly realm with the divine and the saints. Thus, it ascends to prominence as an integral religious and cultural hub for the Cham Pa dynasty.
Spanning from the 4th to the 15th century AD, My Son’s habitation surpasses even renowned Indian-influenced sites across the region. This includes illustrious destinations such as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Indonesia’s Borobudur, Myanmar’s Pagan, and Thailand’s Ayutthaya. The enduring legacy of My Son speaks volumes, portraying an unprecedented continuity of spiritual devotion that has left an indelible mark on the annals of history.
2. Cham-style Architecture
Beyond its profound spiritual significance, the My Son Sanctuary unveils yet another captivating facet: its distinctive Cham-style architecture, intricately interwoven with Indian influences. This architectural marvel stands as a testament to the evolution of eras, each epoch imbuing its own identity upon the temples that honor various genies and monarchs of different dynasties.
A symphony of visual narratives, the Cham towers share a common foundation—quadrate formations—while encapsulating a triad of symbolic realms. The steadfast base symbolizes the world of humans, the enigmatic and sanctified tower body embodies the ethereal realm of spirits, and the pinnacle takes form as a human figure extending offerings of flowers and fruits, or as representations of flora, fauna, and more—bridging the tangible and intangible worlds.
Meticulously studied by researchers, the architectural tapestry of the Cham towers within My Son Sanctuary reflects an amalgamation of diverse styles. The journey spans the continuity of ancient styles from the 7th to 8th centuries, the Hoa Lai style spanning the 8th to 9th centuries, and the resplendent Dong Duong style emerging from the mid-9th century. Echoes of the My Son and My Son-Binh Dinh styles also resound through the corridors of time. This convergence results in an architectural symphony, an intricate ode to the past, and a cultural treasure that embodies the rich history and artistic prowess of the Cham civilization.
Amidst the unveiled vestiges of numerous architectural sites, an awe-inspiring 24-meter tower emerged from the depths of history. Standing tall in the Thap Chua enclave and christened AI by dedicated archaeologists and scholars, this tower stands as a resplendent masterpiece of ancient Cham craftsmanship.
Within the tower’s threshold, two doors beckon—one in the east, the other in the west—inviting explorers to traverse its realms. The tower’s form exudes a sense of height and grace, supported by a symmetrical arrangement of pillar-laden corridors, complemented by six accompanying sub-towers that gracefully encircle its core.
Resembling the delicate petals of a lotus in bloom, this two-tiered tower stands as a marvel. The upper tier is crowned with sandstone, meticulously carved to depict intricate elephants and majestic lions. Lower levels embrace a canvas of carved walls adorned with captivating portrayals—fairies, aquatic spirits, and men astride elephants—each intricately etched into the stone.
Yet, history’s weight proved heavy upon this gem. Regrettably, the tower met its tragic fate at the hands of US bombs in 1969, succumbing to destruction while the echoes of its grandeur endured through time.
EN 
VI 
