9:45 AM
svnt
According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Government of India has invested US$2.5 million to assist Vietnam in restoring and preserving the My Son Sanctuary world cultural heritage site in the central province of Quang Nam.
Dinh Hai, a manager of Quang Nam Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that India invested about $2.5 million( nearly VND 54 billion) to maintain and restore tower complex at My Son sanctuary. At the beginning of the 7th century, King Sambhuvarman had it rebuilt and rebaptised Sambhu-Bhadresvara. Each new monarch came to My Son after his accession to the throne for the ceremony of purification, and to present offerings and erect new monuments, which explains why My Son is the only place where Cham art flourished without interruption from the 7th to 13th century.
Meanwhile, the province is projected to spend roughly VND20 billion (US$952,000) on the salaries of 85 workers participating in the efforts over the next five years.
The temples in My Son were built in groups that basically followed the same model. Each group was comprised of a main sanctuary (Kalan), surrounded by towers and auxiliary monuments. The Kalan, which is a symbol of Meru Mountain (centre of the universe, where the gods live), is dedicated to Shiva. The small temples are devoted to the spirits of the eight compass points. The towers, topped with tiled covered roofs, were stocked with the offerings and sacred objects of the pilgrims. Cham temples do not have windows, so they are very dark inside. Windows are found only in the towers.
Source: cinet
