Vat Phou is a ruined Khmer-Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. A sacred place existed on the site, centered around a spring and a location where people left offerings to a protective spirit. This area dates back to very old times. The first large stone structures were built around the second century BCE. These structures included two stone rooms, a carving of a crocodile, stairs shaped like a serpent, and places where people left offerings. One of the ancient brick buildings on the site was built in the 7th century. It became the center for later construction work.
History
Vat Phou was first connected to the city of Shrestapura, which was located along the shore of the Mekong River directly east of Lingaparvata Mountain (later named Phou Khao). By the end of the fifth century, the city became the capital of a kingdom linked to the Chenla Kingdom and Champa by texts and inscriptions. The first building on the mountain was constructed around this time. The mountain gained religious importance because of a protuberance on its summit that was shaped like a lingam. Because of this, the mountain was considered the home of the Hindu god Shiva, and the river was seen as representing the ocean or the Ganges. The earliest known inscription found at the site, the Văt Luong Kău Inscription (K.365), mentions the name of Devanika, who created a sacred tīrtha in the area.
A festival is held at the site each February. Posts marking the boundaries along the path were restored. Vat Phou was named a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Conservation projects
After the first scientific study in the 19th and 20th centuries, there was little scientific work at the site until the 1990s. In 1987, the Lao-UNESCO projects began, and in 2001, the site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This led to more archaeological and conservation work. Examples of these projects include:
- The Global Heritage Fund, working with the Lerici Institute (Italy) and the government of Laos, is repairing temple structures at the largest archaeological site in Laos. Keeping the Nandin Hall strong and providing long-term care are the main goals. The Global Heritage Fund team is also training and helping local communities.
- 2005–2012: A French-Lao project (French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs / Lao Ministry of Information and Culture) focused on improving the historical and cultural heritage of Vat Phou-Champasak. This included repairing the northern hall of the southern palace, studying the intangible heritage of Champasak, such as the Shadow Puppet Theatre, and organizing theatre tours in Champasak villages. The project also involved creating a group to manage the site, training staff, and improving the area’s value.
- 2006: An Italian team restored the temple of Nandin.
- 2009: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) studied the foundations, drainage, and upper parts of the temple complex’s northern quadrangle. The team also recorded and measured the area.
- 2010: A stonemason named Jean-Marc Houlteau restored the southern palace.
- 2011: Stonemasons Jean-Marc Simon-Bernardini and Johann Gautreau restored the southern quadrangle (palace).
- 2014: Christian Fischer studied the stones without damaging them.
Presentation and visits
Vat Phou is open to the public for religious events and visits by tourists. The site includes a museum that displays artifacts from the temple complex that are hundreds of years old, such as statues of Shiva, Vishnu, Nandin, and Buddhist figures. The museum building has been kept to a certain size to help protect the underground area and preserve the view.