What’s on Śiva’s Topknot? Rituals at the Lingaparvata

Vissa Chanthaphasouk1, David Bazin1, Christophe Pottier1, Jean‑Baptiste Chevance2, Vilasak Phongsawat3, and Sybounheuang Phimmasenh3

The Phu Kao in Champassak Province, Lao PDR, long identified as the Lingaparvata, holds a unique place in Angkorian epigraphy and literary sources, linked to Śaivite worship since the pre‑ period. Despite its prominence in both the epigraphic corpus and the landscape overlooking the great temple of Vat Phou, the site is difficult to access and has remained poorly documented, particularly its summit – the spectacular natural peak dominating the site – and associated ritual installations. Limited expeditions previously recorded objects and features, but none were formally published or documented, leaving many aspects of the topography and spatial organisation of cult areas unclear, despite the site’s central role in Angkorian Śaivism. In December 2024, under the CHAMPA project, our team conducted a field expedition to clarify several key questions: the precise locations of ritual activity, particularly at the summit and its base; the presence of architectural or landscape modifications; and the accessibility and condition of the summit. Field survey was combined with newly available LiDAR data and cartographic sources to assess the topography, approach routes, and the state of existing installations. The presentation reports the expedition’s results, revealing the summit’s accessibility, previously unrecorded settlements, and identified ritual objects. These findings allow a renewed interpretation of the site’s role in relation to the temple of Vat Phou and a re-evaluation of its connection to the surrounding landscape. Overall, this study demonstrates how the physical geography of ‑Lingaparvata structured ritual practices and highlights the value of integrating LiDAR, archival sources, and systematic fieldwork.