Hong Nang Sida Temple
Published 2024.08.16 by 유다연
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Research suggests that the temple complex was originally enclosed by a wall with a gopura (gateway tower) serving as the entrance. To the east of the temple, approximately 700 meters away, lies a massive baray (reservoir) measuring about 150 meters by 400 meters.
The Hong Nang Sida Temple, also known as the Temple of Princess Nang Sida, is believed to have been the main sanctuary of the ancient city of Linga-pura. Based on comparative studies with temples in Cambodia and Thailand, the temple is estimated to have been built around the 12th century. The large shikhara (tower) and roof constructed of sandstone have collapsed, filling the inner space of the main sanctuary. The ritual hall of the temple is still used by the local community for ceremonies.
According to local legend, Princess Sida, daughter of King Khammanta, decided to sacrifice herself to a monster to save her kingdom and father. However, she was rescued by the brave prince Katthanam, and the two later married and lived happily. It is said that the Hong Nang Sida Temple was built to honor Princess Sida's selfless intentions.
The Hong Nang Sida Temple is not only a symbol of Princess Sida's selflessness but also reflects the deep cultural and spiritual values of the region. The legend of Princess Sida and Prince Katthanam is a narrative that underscores themes of sacrifice, bravery, and loyalty, which are central to the Khmer cultural and religious heritage. This legend likely served as a moral tale, teaching the virtues of self-sacrifice for the greater good and the rewards of courage and righteousness. The temple itself, with its grand architecture and strategic location, was possibly a center for both religious worship and royal ceremonies. The collapse of the shikhara and the surrounding ruins today stand as a testament to the once-glorious Khmer Empire, which placed significant importance on constructing monumental religious structures that were intertwined with local myths and legends. The preservation of such stories through the construction of temples like Hong Nang Sida also highlights the Khmer people's reverence for their leaders and heroes, elevating them to a near-mythical status that blends history with legend.
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Natural History
Online Exhibition of the Vat Phou Champasak Ruins and the Excavation of Hong Nang Sida
The Vat Phou - Champasak site lies on fertile alluvial plains on the banks of the Mekong River, and its mountainous core is the eastern outlier of the Dângrêk Range, which is home to the Phou Kao Mountains that rise up to an altitude of 1,416 meters.
Natural History
Lao-Korea Cooperation Project : Hong Nang Sida Temple
Since 2013, the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation have been working on a heritage restoration project at the World Heritage Site “Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape” in Lao PDR. The project focuses on restoring the collapsed stone structure called Hong Nang Sida, located in the southern part of the Vat Phou Temple Complex. This site, also known as the “Temple of Princess Sida,” is gradually regaining its original appearance thanks to the ongoing restoration efforts by a Korean research team.
Natural History
Sacred River
The archaeological site of the ancient city is situated on the plains adjacent to the Mekong River. The city was surrounded by two layers of brick and earthen ramparts, with a moat in between. These ramparts measured approximately 2.4 km from north to south and 1.8 km from east to west, with the best-preserved sections standing up to 6 meters high and 14 meters thick. The walls and moats were likely constructed to manage and utilize the waters from the Phou Kao Mountains' tributaries.