Wandering with Apsara in My Son Sanctuary

27/05/2025

The My Son Sanctuary is located in Duy Xuyen district (Quang Nam province). Nestled among lush hills and blooming greenery, this ancient tower complex felt like a sacred meeting place where heaven, earth, nature, and the human spirit unite.

ms1.jpeg

My Son Sanctuary

Built from the 4th to 13th centuries by Champa kings, My Son comprises nearly 80 temples dedicated to Shiva, showcasing exquisite Hindu architecture and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can feel the essence of love and affection in this mystical place, which is sometimes called the Sanctuary of Love and Affection.

The captivating Apsara dancers symbolise passionate love and desire. Their graceful dance awakens the powerful fertility spirit embodied in the Linga (male) and Yoni (female) symbols found throughout the towers, representing harmony and creation.

ms2.jpeg

Charming Apsara dance

The towers are made from handcrafted bricks bound by a mysterious adhesive still unexplained by modern science. This architectural marvel has stood proudly for 17 centuries, a source of pride for the Cham people specifically and Vietnamese people generally. This unique architectural work demonstrates the flourishing development of Cham culture within the broader Vietnamese cultural evolution.

A touching story tells of Kazic, a Polish architect who devoted 16 years to restoring My Son Sanctuary. He formed a profound bond with a mute Cham girl who danced the Apsara daily.

Their silent friendship blossomed into a shared language and profound connection. Before his death, Kazic requested to be buried here, longing to see his muse again. Locals say the girl returned, dancing eternally within the sanctuary, now immortalised in stone reliefs.

ms3.jpeg

Tower A1 before and after restoration

At night, Apsara dances are performed live near the towers, enchanting audiences with slow, mysterious movements that seem to bring the ancient carvings to life. The dancers’ final stillness, wrapped in hay-coloured cloth, symbolises their eternal return to stone and the timeless magic of Cham culture

Source: baolongan.vn


Z