India to help restore Vietnam temples
HANOI - Indian archaeological experts will help in
restoration of the famous seventh century Hindu Cham
temples in central Vietnam. Vietnam's President Tran Duc
Luong appreciated this gesture when he met defence
minister George Fernandes, now here on an official visit.
Vietnam owes India Rs 10.4 cr in outstanding loans and
interest. Fernandes told Luong that if Vietnam gave its
interest and penalty, New Delhi would ``give it back to
Hanoi as a grant, provided the money would be used for
the restoration of the Cham temples.''
The Cham temples have been declared as a world heritage
site by UNESCO. They were said to have been built under
the influence of the Chola empire. The Hindu influence
prevailed in the Cham area till the 14th century. A unique
feature of these temples is that statues of Parvati, Ganesh,
Buddha and Confusicious and the Shivling share the same
hall.
These temples, located near the city of Dalan, are today in
a bad shape. Dalan earlier used to be a major American air
base. During the war, American planes bombed the area as
Vietnam guerillas used to take shelter there. Today,
however, Dalan is an international airport.
By Man Mohan - The Times of India - March 30, 2000.
|
|