My Son: podcast appearances and interviews

Mỹ Sơn is a historic site in central Vietnam featuring a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Shaiva Hindu temples. Built between the 4th and 13th centuries by the Kings of Champa, a Kingdon of the Cham people influenced by Indian culture, the temples are dedicated to Shiva, also known as The Auspicious One. In this complex, Shiva is venerated under various local names, with Bhadreshvara being the most prominent. Located in a valley near Da Nang, Mỹ Sơn is approximately 68 kilometers southwest of the city center and close to the historic Champa capital of Trà Kiệu. The site was a hub of religious activity for the Champa rulers, serving also as a burial place for Cham royalty and national heroes. Historically, it encompassed over 70 temples along with numerous stele inscribed in Sanskrit and Cham. Mỹ Sơn is recognized as one of the oldest inhabited archaeological sites in Mainland Southeast Asia. Its architecture and cultural significance were severely impacted during the Vietnam War when much of it was destroyed by US bombing. Today, the site stands as a prominent example of Shaiva Hindu temple architecture in Southeast Asia and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The recognition highlights its importance as an example of cultural evolution and as evidence of an extinct Asian civilization.