On Wednesday, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unearthed a monolithic sandstone Shiva Linga of the 9th Common Era during one of its conservation projects. The structure was excavated from the Cham Temple Complex at the My Son Sanctuary of Vietnam.
The Cham Temple Complex
Built in the 9th century A.D. under the reign of King Indravarman II, the temple was found in a dilapidated condition by French excavators in 1903. During that project, French archeologists had revealed the presence of a Shiva Linga in ‘Group A’ of the complex. However, further excavation was not possible due to political disturbances in Vietnam and also inadequate excavation technologies.
The latest excavation
The latest unearthed Shiva Linga is a monolithic structure with decorative patterns of very exquisite cultural value. A four-member team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been engaged in the fourth season of conservation work at the world heritage site at My Son in Quang Nam Province of Vietnam. Over the last few seasons, the team has been involved in the restoration of other temples in the complex.
Praising the work done by ASI, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to his twitter handle and posted a few more photographs of the finding. He said that the finding reaffirms a “civilizational connect” between the devotees of Lord Shiva across the globe.
Reaffirming a civilisational connect.
Monolithic sandstone Shiv Linga of 9th c CE is latest find in ongoing conservation project. Applaud @ASIGoI team for their work at Cham Temple Complex, My Son, #Vietnam. Warmly recall my visit there in 2011. pic.twitter.com/7FHDB6NAxz
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 27, 2020
Source: India Times
