Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Laos on October 10, 2024, looking forward to discussions with global leaders during his two-day visit for the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits. His visit is at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, as Laos currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded in 1967. During his visit, PM Modi watched a performance of ‘Phralak Phralam,’ the Laotian version of the Ramayana. This version differs from the original Indian version, as Buddhist missionaries introduced it to Laos in the 16th century.
Today, Hindu communities in South East Asia mainly include Overseas Indians and Balinese, along with smaller groups like the Javanese and the Balamon Cham in Cambodia and southern Vietnam.
In the southern Champasak province, near the borders of Thailand and Cambodia, there is a mountain shaped like a Shiva Lingam that reminds us of the time when worship of Shiva and Vishnu was common in the region.
Vijaya Dashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR, I saw a part of the Lao Ramayana, highlighting the victory of Prabhu Shri Ram over Ravan. It is heartening to see the people here remain in touch with the Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram always remain upon us! pic.twitter.com/BskmfMYBdm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024
Connection of South East Asian countries with Sanatan dharma
Angkor Wat, located in Cambodia, is the largest Hindu Mandir and dates back to the 8th century AD. It shows how far Indian culture spread, reaching from the Hindu Kush mountains in the north to the tropical jungles in the east. As a sacred Hindu site and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat is deeply connected to Sanatan dharma. It took a long time for Indian civilisation to reach South East Asia, but in countries like Laos, Sanatan dharma thrived for centuries. Even today, the Ramayana (Phra Lak Phra Lam) celebration is popular, even though most people in Laos are Buddhist. Historians have been amazed by the richness and history of Angkor Wat.
Sanatan dharma greatly influenced the culture and history of South East Asia. When Indic scripts from India were introduced, the region began its historical era, producing some of its earliest inscriptions between the 1st and 5th centuries CE.
Historical influence of Hinduism in Laos
At the start of the first millennium CE, the kingdoms of Laos were part of a larger area influenced by Indian culture and religion, known as the Indosphere. Traders, scholars, and religious figures travelling to the region introduced Sanskrit, Hindu gods, and the idea of Chakravartin to Laos.
Over time, most traces of Sanatan dharma in Laos disappeared as powerful empires, like the Khmer Empire, adopted Buddhism. The Khmer Empire was initially a Hindu empire in South East Asia that later became mostly Buddhist. It was centred around cities in what is now northern Cambodia and was known as Kambuja by its people. This empire emerged from an earlier civilisation called Chenla and lasted from 802 to 1431. Historians call this period the Angkor period, named after its famous capital, Angkor. At its peak, the empire controlled much of mainland South East Asia, even reaching southern China.
The Vat Phou Mandir complex in Laos, located at the base of Phou Khao mountain, dates back to the 5th century CE, with most structures built between the 11th and 13th centuries. According to UNESCO, the Champasak cultural landscape, which includes Vat Phou, is a well-preserved area that is over 1,000 years old. This landscape was designed to reflect the Hindu view of the world, symbolising the connection between nature and humanity.
The layout of the complex follows a geometric path from the mountain peak to the riverbank and includes Mandirs, shrines, and waterworks over about 10 kilometres.
Hindu inscriptions found in South East Asia date back to the early Christian era, and archaeological evidence shows that the first Mandir in the Vat Phou complex were built as early as the 5th century CE, nearly 500 years before the Khmer Empire was established.
Sanatan dharma’s journey from Java to Laos
Jayavarman II, the ruler of the Khmer Empire, declared himself a Chakravartin, or universal king, in the Phnom Kulen mountains. He founded the capital city of Indrapura in 781 AD and is considered the founder of the Angkor period, reigning from 802 to 835. Jayavarman II was a follower of Vaishnavism.
Historians believe that the Angkor period started in 802 when Jayavarman II held a grand ritual on Mount Mahendraparvata. In her book The Treasures of Angkor, Maria Albanese discusses the origins and expansion of the Khmer Empire. Many scholars think that Sanatan dharma was brought to the region from Java, where the Sailendra culture was heavily influenced by Hindu beliefs.
Jayavarman II established Angkor, and later kings, like Suryavarman I, formed diplomatic ties with the South Indian Chola dynasty. Kenneth R. Hall highlights these relationships in his book A History of Early Southeast Asia: Maritime Trade and Societal Development. R.C. Majumdar also mentions these connections in The Overseas Expedition of Rajendra Chola, noting that the Cholas supported Suryavarman in his conflicts during the 11th century.
Suryavarman I is known for building the famous Angkor Wat Mandir, dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu, which took nearly 37 years to complete. During the later Khmer period, conflicts with neighbouring kingdoms became more frequent.
At its peak in the 12th century, the Vat Phou complex had six terraces and a main sanctuary at the top that housed a Shiv Lingam. This impressive site featured an advanced water system that brought water from a sacred spring through sandstone pipes to wash the lingam.
After the Khmer Empire converted to Buddhism, the lingam was replaced with Buddha statues, but the sacred spring is still important to Buddhist pilgrims who visit the site today. Hindu heritage can still be seen in the complex, including carvings of Hindu gods. A notable sculpture shows the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Surrounded by beautiful nature, Vat Phou was likely a major Hindu pilgrimage site in the Khmer Empire until Angkor Wat was built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. The Khmers even constructed a royal road connecting Vat Phou to Angkor Wat, starting at a pavilion with a statue of Nandi, Shiva’s mount.
Comments