Located in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, 70km southwest of Danang City, and 40km away from Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary is a group of temple-towers of Cham people, an imperial city during the Champa kingdom.
In 1999, it is officially designated as the UNESCO’s World Heritage, which is a typical interchange of Asian culture and the unique evidence of Champa culture - an Asian culture disappearing for many centuries.
Nestling in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, My Son Sanctuary comprises 70 architectural works including temples and towers which connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. Each group has a main temple worship Linga – a symbol of Shiva, one of the senior triple gods in Indian Hinduism. The main tower is for the deities of Champa people, and the smaller tower is for the worship of Champa’s king.
According to records on the stone stele, the prime foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex was a wooden temple to worship the Diva Bhadresvera genie. However, it was destroyed by a big fire in the late 6th century. Step by step, historical mysteries were unveiled by scientists. Through stone stele and royal dynasties, they proved My Son to be the most important Holy Land of the Champa people from the late 4th to the 13th centuries.
For those who are interested in history and Champa architecture, My Son Sanctuary is the perfect place to visit. It is a harmonious combination between cultural values and the natural beauty.
