preview

Mexican American Temple Case Study

Decent Essays

Mỹ Sơn is a temple complex located in central Vietnam consisting of over 70 Hindu temples constructed between the 4th to 14th century by the kings of Champa. The temples were built to worship the god Shiva that symbolizes the father/male realm. According to the Brhat Samhita scriptures of Hinduism, “The gods always play where groves are near, rivers, mountains and springs and in towns with pleasure gardens.” Hence, Mỹ Sơn was erected within several closed valleys that provide the watershed of the sacred Thu Bồn River. Only at Mỹ Sơn, the topography of the site’s narrow valley was used to symbolize a mandala. The spring of flowing sacred water symbolized the Goddess Ganga, wife of God Shiva, where rituals and sacrifices were performed. The river not only serves its religious …show more content…

Influenced by Indian artistic tradition, the religious temple complex consists of a Kalan encompassed by several smaller shrines, auxiliary buildings and low walls. A gate tower opposite the Kalan is built to orientate in the east-west direction. In front of the gate tower stands a Mandapa, a preparatory hall where sacred songs and dances were performed as prayers and offerings before proceeding into the Kalan for the actual ritual. In addition, a fire tower, where objects of worship were stored, is positioned right in front of the Kalan. This brick structure with a boat shaped roof, along with one or two rooms and a main door is built to face north, the direction of the god of fortune, Kuvera. It symbolizes treasury and prosperity of the realm, where the sacred flame Agni was kept while performing rituals. The Kalan, built to represent the sacred mountain of Meru and to symbolize the center of the universe, is the most important edifice where it is believed to house the god’s very place of residence. Smaller shrines and low walls signify the

Get Access