Many artifacts relating to the Dong Duong relic, which was excavated in 1902, are on display at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture. They feature special values of the Champa culture, including imposing pedestals, especially the Dong Duong 22.24 pedestal.

The Dong Duong 22.24 pedestal

According to documents released by the Museum, Dong Duong is a Buddhist centre of Champa, which was located on the plain, and was about 20km south of the My Son Valley in Chau Duc, Thang Binh, Quang Nam (now known as Binh Dinh Bac Commune, Thang Binh District, Quang Nam Province).

Dong Duong’s artifacts have showcased the development of Mahayana Buddhism in Champa with impressive Cham style. The highlight of them is the Dong Duong 22.24 pedestal.

Although some parts of the pedestal have been damaged, the pedestal still retains the integrity of elements that constitute the typical values of this artifact.

Recently, the municipal People’s Committee has asked for permission from Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Prime Minister to recognise the Dong Duong 22.24 pedestal as a national treasure based on 3 criteria. They are unique original artifact, the artifact with unique form, and the artifact which represents a tendency, a style, and an era.

The pedestal is made of sandstone, dating back to the late 9th and early 10th centuries. It is 197cm in height, 396cm in length and 354cm in width. The pedestal consists of 24 stone blocks bonded together. It features a foundation base, a large square altar, a smaller square altar being on the large one, and a higher altar being behind back of the large one.

The north side (left) and the south side of the pedestal

The bottom base of the pedestal comprises 7 stone slabs with the height of 20cm each, and simple carvings. The largest part of the bottom base (also the largest of the pedestal) is 354cm in length and 396cm in width.

The 204cm x 204cm x 66cm large square altar

There are many images engraved in the outside of steps and the pedestal

These images feature the birth, enlightenment, and life of Shakyamuni Buddha, as well as daily activities in imperial palace.

The Dong Duong 22.24 pedestal was recognised as a special national relic in December 2016 by the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

Currently, the Dong Duong 22.24 pedestal is the largest and most completed sandstone pedestal which is typical example for pedestals in the Champa Buddhist Institute.

It is also a unique evidence representing the most prevalent Buddhist period in the history of the Champa kingdom, and marking a distinct development period compared to other periods of this kingdom, and the Champa culture as a whole. In addition, it is an important data for the research activities about culture, beliefs and architecture.