My Son Sanctuary is one of the must-see destinations in the Central part of Vietnam where tourists travel to Vietnam can admire old Cham temples and enjoy Apsara dance. About 69 kilometers from Danang City, My Son Sanctuary is located in Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province.
Apsara dancers perform at My Son
My Son was the site of religious ceremonies for kings of the ruling dynasties of Champa, between the 4th and 12th centuries. It was a worshipping place for the Hindu religion in the Cham kingdom and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. A large complex, My Son Sanctuary comprises more than 70 architectural works, including temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs.
After paying the VND35,000 entrance fee, you pass through a gate and walk about 500 meters along a path to the center of the site. There are many yoni-linga-shaped rocks on the way.
The center of My Son is in an open square surrounded by ruins. You can see the weather worn carved faces on the eroded statues and old brick walls.
Inside the temples, there are 1000 year-old bas-reliefs representing the customs and culture and Aspara and Tra Kieu dancers. The mini museum contains artifacts associated with Cham culture such as Hindu goddess statues of Shiva, Apsara, Uma, Brahma and Vihsnu and yoni-linga symbols.
The sanctuary was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1999.
After strolling around the sanctuary, you can see local dances being performed on a stage. Cham people have many folk festivals such as Rija Nugar, Rija Harei and Rijang Praung.
To the sounds of panpipe Sranai and drum Baranung, dancers wearing colorful traditional costumes and pyramid-shaped hats and veils perform many kinds of dances such as praying, fire and fan and the famous apsara dance.
(The saigontimes)
