Treasures from a temple

Mukha script is inscribed on the body of the My Son E1 altar.

To date, six national treasures have been recognized as originating from the My Son Sanctuary. These treasures are all found within the system of statues in the temples.

Specifically, at the main temple E1, group E, there are three recognized treasures: the My Son E1 altar, the Mukhalinga, and the lintel depicting the birth of Brahma. These treasures are unique and representative of the sculptural imagery and symbolism in early Brahmanism in Champa.

The temple of treasures

My Son E1 is the only temple that still preserves the earliest architectural and sculptural elements of Champa art.

Built around the 7th-8th centuries, the temple's construction materials are a combination of brick, wood, stone, and terracotta tiles. It has a raised, square base, brick tower walls, and no false doors.

At the four corners of the inner sanctuary, four stone pedestals—traces of a wooden structure—are still preserved, while in the center is the altar. The decorative base of this altar has been moved to the Da Nang Cham Sculpture Museum for display, leaving only the Linga and the altar itself.

A door frame depicting the birth of Brahma was also discovered here.

This temple is not only a place to learn about the development of architecture in the early stages of the My Son and Champa relics, but also bears the imprint of artistic influences from India, China, and Thailand's Dvaravati through the sculptures within the structure.

However, the temple has now completely collapsed.

New discovery about the My Son E1 shrine.

French experts excavating Temple E1 between 1903 and 1904 discovered a linga and many stone blocks within the temple. At this time, the My Son Temple E1 had already been disturbed by treasure hunts that had taken place before the French experts began excavations in the early 20th century.

The daily life of the monks at the My Son E1 altar. Photo: VAN THO

Therefore, when French archaeologists arrived to excavate, the altar was no longer in its original form. Henri Parmentier's drawing of the My Son E1 altar is merely a hypothesis.

The My Son E1 altar, recognized as a national treasure in 2012, is currently displayed at the Da Nang Cham Sculpture Museum as only the decorated base of the My Son E1 altar. The main body and statues remain at the E1 temple site.

In 2018, we rearranged the altar based on drawings by French experts. However, these hypothetical drawings incorrectly positioned the layers of stone.

The second interesting discovery, also made that same year, was the previously unknown inscription on the altar. Specifically, there were two identical Sanskrit inscriptions on two layers of rock.

During the 2022 survey, Salomé Pichon (EFEO) read it as mukha. Furthermore, on the circular part of the Linga, looking at the fracture on the rim, there is evidence of a human face. Based on the mukha script and the fracture, it can be inferred that the current My Son E1 altar is a mukhalinga (also known as ekamukhalinga - a linga with a divine face).

This discovery is related to a national treasure discovered behind Temple E1 in 2012 – also a Mukhalinga. This Mukhalinga national treasure also features a face visible in the round part of the linga. In terms of size, the Mukhalinga in Temple E1 and the one behind Temple E1 are the same size and could both fit into the My Son E1 altar.

This data allows researchers to re-examine the My Son E1 altar, repositioning Mukhalinga. This also suggests that the My Son E1 altar was constructed and modified, so all its components may not be from the same period.

The value of 3 national treasures

The three national treasures from Temple E1 are considered unique and representative of the sculptural art and Hindu religious imagery of Champa civilization.

The Mukhalinga temple behind E1 temple in the My Son Sanctuary has been discovered and excavated. Photo: My Son Management Board.

Mukhalinga is a three-part Linga, with the circular section featuring the face of the god Shiva protruding. Researchers consider this artifact a masterpiece, fully embodying the standards of form and symbolic meaning of a Mukhalinga belonging to the ancient My Son E1 style of the 7th-8th centuries.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Van Doanh: "Mukhalinga is the most beautiful and unique not only of Champa, but also of the entire ancient Southeast Asian region."

Meanwhile, the My Son E1 altar is the base of a unique altar in Champa that features carvings depicting mountain and forest scenes, caves, and places where Brahmin monks lived in seclusion, practiced meditation, and performed their religious duties.

The front of the altar is decorated with architectural motifs, archways, musicians, dancers, and artistic details influenced by Chinese and Indian cultures.

The third treasure, the Birth of Brahma, is a lintel from Temple E1, depicting the creation of the universe in Indian mythology. This is the only work found at My Son that shows the god Vishnu meditating on the vast, dark ocean of the universe, supported by the seven-headed serpent Shesha.

At both ends of the bas-relief are two mythical Garuda birds with human bodies and bird legs, reminiscent of similar sculptures in Mon-Dvaravati art in Thailand from the 7th-8th centuries. The work is considered rare in Champa culture and art, and is also important evidence of the early introduction of Hinduism into Champa.

Temple E1 and its three national treasures are of exceptional value in terms of architecture and sculpture. Although only the base of the structure remains, it serves as evidence of the early period of Champa architecture...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/nhung-bao-vat-tu-mot-ngoi-den-3147246.html