Po Dam Golden Linga Announced as National Treasure

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Thuan , the Kate Festival 2024 will take place at the Po Sah Inư tower relic (Phu Hai ward, Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province) on October 1 and 2.

In particular, during this year's Kate Festival, the functional departments of Binh Thuan province will organize the announcement of the Prime Minister 's Decision on recognizing the Cham people's golden Linga as a national treasure.

The golden Linga is considered one of the treasures of the Cham people. Photo: TL

In Cham culture, Linga symbolizes Shiva as the principle of cause and effect (destruction and rebirth), fertility, and is an important object of worship in ancient religious architectural relics.

The gold Linga was discovered during an archaeological excavation in 2013 at the Po Dam tower complex in Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province. The artifact dates back to the 8th - 9th century; is 6.6cm high; has a body diameter of 5.35 - 5.49cm; a rim diameter of 5.8 - 6.0cm; and weighs 78.36gr. Through analysis, the gold content in the artifact accounts for up to 90.4%, silver 9.05% and copper 0.55%.

Linga was crafted using the technique of hammering and shaping, creating a hollow block shape, a short cylindrical body, and a semi-circular head; the shape, crafting technique, and scale - size of the artifact are also very unique, no similar artifact has been found in Champa culture and ancient cultures/civilizations in the region.

Po Dam tower cluster in Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province - where the golden Linga was discovered. Photo: TL

The golden metal Linga artifact of Po Dam relic is the only case to date where a Linga partly made of golden metal has been found. The artifact contains important scientific information, of great value for research and understanding of cultural and historical issues related to Po Dam relic and Champa culture.

The Kate Festival at the Po Sah Inư Tower relic includes a ceremony and a festival. The rituals of the ceremony include praying for peace at the main tower, a dance ritual, inviting the gods...

On the main festival day of October 2 (July 1st of the Cham calendar), there will be a ceremony to welcome the Goddess Po Sah Inư's costume to the main tower, open the tower door, bathe the Linga - Yoni altar, wear the Linga - Yoni altar costume and a grand ceremony to thank Goddess Po Sah Inư, the gods, grandparents and ancestors.

The festival includes a Saranai trumpet blowing contest and a water team overcoming obstacles; decorating offerings on Thonla and Co Bong to worship Goddess Po Sah Inu, a folk art exchange program by the Cham folk art team from districts in the province...

The Vu

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chuan-bi-cong-bo-linga-vang-po-dam-la-bao-vat-quoc-gia-post314425.html