Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary in Vietnam

- August 23, 2024

Mỹ Sơn is a group of ruined Hindu temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is located in the Quảng Nam Province in Central Vietnam, about 69 km southwest of Da Nang. The temples were constructed between the 4^th and 14^th Century CE by the rulers of the Champa Kingdom (192 CE – 1832 CE).

The rulers of Champa used Mỹ Sơn both as a site for religious ceremonies and as a burial place. Earlier structures in Mỹ Sơn are primarily attributed to King Bhadravarman I (reigned from 380 CE – 413 CE), King Sambhuvarman (reigned from 572 CE – 629 CE) and King Prakasadharma (653 CE – 687 CE). Later rulers continued the renovation of the old temples as well as continued the construction of new temples. Majority of the remaining structures were constructed by King Harivarman II (reigned from 989 CE – 997 CE) and King Harivarman IV (reigned from 1074 CE – 1080 CE).

Historical records suggest that the capital of the kingdom changed numerous times. The earliest capital as per records was Kandapurpura (modern day Huế) from 192 CE to 605 CE. This was followed by Simhapura (modern day Trà Kiệu) from 605 CE to 757 CE, Virapura (modern day Ninh Phước) from 757 CE to 875 CE, Indrapura (modern day Thăng Bình) from 875 CE to 982 CE, and then to Vijayapura (modern day Bình Định province) from 982 CE to 1471 CE.

During the period of Vijayapura, the Champa engaged in wars with Angkor (modern day Cambodia), the Yuan dynasty of China, and the Vietnamese (which had not expanded to the Champa territories at the time). Vijayapura finally felt to the Vietnamese army in 1471 CE. The Champa lost most of their territory including Mỹ Sơn, and the capital moved to Panduranga (modern day Phan Rang). With the annexation of Panduranga by the Vietnamese in 1832 CE, the last Champa Kingdom fell. Today, the territories of the Champa kingdom form part of central and southern Vietnam, with the descendants of the Champa (the Cham people), forming one of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

The Mỹ Sơn temple complex were significantly damaged by the bombings of United States of America, during the Vietnam War. It was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 CE.