India To Renovate 11th-Century Shiva Temple In Laos

Source: news.oneindia.in
Tuesday, September 21, 2010

 (PHOTO : Wat Phou temple complex in southern Laos)

VIENTIANE, LAOS : India has agreed to renovate the Vat Phou or Wat Phou temple complex in southern Laos as part of deepening cultural and historical ties which have existed between the two countries for more than 2000 years.

Wat Phou is a ruined Khmer temple complex in southern Laos. It is located at the base of Mount Phu Kao near the Mekong river in Champasak province. There was a temple on the site as early as the sixth century. The summit of Phu Kao is a Linga, a symbol of Shiva, thus giving it the more popular name, Lingaparvat.

“It is an ongoing restoration project which started in 2009. The work restarts again after the end of rainy season in Lao. It will take seven years for completion of the project. It will also help us to understand common cultural heritage of Lao,” said Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Vijaya Latha Reddy.