AT MY SON
The Champa Empire Ruled the Area For Over A Thousand Years, Building Magnificent
Monuments Out of Brick -- Many Lasted Until the Twentieth Century, When They
Were Destroyed By Bombs During the American War (That's a Bomb Crater in the
Foreground)
This Altar And the Ruins of the Wall Around It Are All That Remain of the
Main Temple At My Son
The Javanese Writing On the Stela in the Foreground Shows Indonesian
Influence in This Region of Vietnam; The Hindu Yoni Altar in the Background
Shows the Ultimate Influence From India
This Carving of a Javanese Kala-Makara (Sea Monster God) Over the Praying
Figure Is Further Evidence of Trade Between Vietnam and Indonesia in the Distant
Past
This Ritual Bath Is a Common Site in Hindu Temples
This Mural Is Dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu God to Whom the Temples of My
Son Were Built
The "Snake" Motif Commonly Found on Cham Temples Is Unique to This Region
(maybe this photo is sideways?)
The Chams Were (And Still Are) Not Only Great Masons But Great Stone Carvers
As Well, As This Lion -- Symbol of the Emperor's Power -- Shows
This Is Khan, A Jeep Driver and Shop Owner at My Son Who Is Also a Modern
Descendant of the Ancient Chams
One Can See Evidence That The Champa Empire's Skill at Brick-Making Is Continued
On Among Its Descendants, Who Live On Throughout the Coastal Area of Central
Vietnam