I used to read History books in secret during other topics in high school that I didn't like. History appeals to me because it enables me to comprehend what occurred in the past, as well as different cultures and fascinating stories. The laws of life are in effect, as are the beliefs of the people at the time. Today, Vietnam is a country that has unified three areas, although there were still other tiny governments and ekpthnic groups before it was integrated and absorbed. From 198 to 1832, the Kingdom of Champa prospered in what is today the Central area and a small section of the South (foreigners know it by the name Champa). It has a wide range of cultural and religious exchanges with different civilizations, and King Minh Mang declared it entirely absorbed in 1832.
- I visited Quy Nhon city, which was originally the capital of the Champa monarchy, during the end of December 2021. (political fluctuations and foreign wars had four times moved the capital). Only the symbolic remnants of the faith, located about 15 kilometers north of the city center, survive after the historic city wall was dismantled. It is not, however, a thorough description of their culture and religion. Because they have been influenced by various cultures such as Indian, Chinese, and Malay. The remaining remains are strewn across the provinces of Quang Nam, Nha Trang, Ninh Thuan, and others.
The tower, which was built in the 11th century and resembles a local cake, is known as Banh It tower (Silver tower). It reflects the sacredness and veneration of the people's gods, with four remaining towers on a high hill (the Cham people respect God more than the king because the god protects their land forever). As a result, neighboring countries or pirates plotted to steal the temple's idol. There are numerous deities, but the god Siva is their primary defender (the statue was robbed and recast after many ups and downs of war, now you can admire it at the Guimet museum in France)
- The cost of a visitor's ticket is 30000 VND per adult; to get to the top of the hill, we hiked up the old stairs. There are no artificial structures, simply green groves providing shelter, and I believe the greatest time to visit is between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun rises and distributes equally across the towers.
The gate tower will be the first tower; its architecture is not as sophisticated as the floor type; all of them are made of bricks, and the roof top is partially obscured by shrubs and grass. The interior has a pretty cool vibe to it. There is a temperature difference between inside and outside. The roofs of all four towers are reduced to the top by entrances that face east.
The main tower and the saddle tower are located at the top of the hill, accessible by the steps. The main tower is the tallest, with an archway leading to the temple that is slightly overhanging. In the sunlight, a massive block of orange bricks with various patterned borders shines brilliantly. Smaller stupas and sculptures or reliefs can be found on the top, surrounding the four corners. There was only one little, shadowy statue inside.
The majority of the minute pattern features or weird symbols etched on the bricks near the top of the tower are missing, making it impossible to view them. Only a few areas have been damaged, but the bricks are still very sturdy. With rice fields and mountains in the background, the view is incredibly serene and pleasant.
The saddle tower is the same and slightly older, with a saddle-shaped roof and thick walls that don't feel unsafe with four open doors. It served as a repository for sacrifices.
Follow the tiny path adjacent to it to a side tower known as the Beer tower, where stone tablets documenting the merits of kings and gods can be found. It is, regrettably, no longer available.
Perhaps it isn't open in the evening because there are no torches in any of the towers or around. Its architecture emphasizes the Hindu religion's colors. No issue, relax and take in your surroundings.
In the following posts,I'll go into the specifics and details of this ChamPa empire. Because of its diversity, a little of the mystery of its unrecorded history adds to the appeal of learning about it.
Champa is also the name of a flower that ancient people used to plant around their temples. It's whitish in appearance and has a gentle scent that mosquitoes despise. It's known as "porcelain flower" where I live. This is how it looked three days ago near my house when I took it.
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Photos taken with a GoPro 8