Archaeological Survey of India discovers 9th century sandstone Shiva Linga in Vietnam
- The temple complex was built in the 9th century A.D. under the reign of King Indravarman II who also built the famous Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in Quang Nam Province.
- India which has had deep cultural ties with South-East Asian nations has extended a helping hand in restoring their heritage monuments.
- A 4-member team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been engaged in the fourth season of restoration/conservation work (annual work schedule of January-June 2020) at the world heritage site at My Son in Quang Nam Province of Vietnam.
- Over the previous three seasons, ASI has restored temples in Groups ‘K’ and ‘H’ and presently the work is under progress for temples in Group ‘A’.
- The temple complex was built in the 9th century A.D. under the reign of King Indravarman II who also built the famous Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in Quang Nam Province. French experts in 1903-1904 had discovered the temple complex in a dilapidated condition. During excavations at that time, the French archaeologists had described the presence of one Shiva Linga in Group ‘A’ at the temple site.
- According to a senior officer in the Ministry of External Affairs, “During the restoration works of Group ‘A’ temples, our ASI team has recovered the Shiva Linga.
- It is a monolithic structure with decorative patterns of very exquisite cultural value. Before this, six other Shiva Lingas have already been recovered in the My Son Temple complex.
- Earlier this year, in the Ministry of External Affairs a new Development Partnership Division (DPA-IV) was created which will help in coordinating and undertaking development partnership abroad for culture and heritage conservation projects.
- In fact India was the first country which responded to an appeal made by Cambodia to the world community in 1980. Cambodia had sought help to save the Angkor Vat which was the center of the Khmer Kingdom for several centuries.
About ASI–
The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.
- Founded – 1861
- Founder – Alexander Cunningham
- Headquarters– New Delhi
- Director General– Smt. V Vidyavathi
जीके और दैनिक करेंट अफेयर्स अपडेट हिंदी में प्राप्त करें – क्लिक करें
