Built about 1,300 years ago, the Ponagar Tower relic has a particularly important position in the religious and spiritual life of the Cham people.
Located in the heart of Nha Trang City (Khanh Hoa), the Ponagar Tower cluster dates from the 8th to 9th century. In 1979, this tower cluster was ranked as a National Monument. This is considered the largest remaining Cham tower cluster in the central strip of Vietnam.
Legend has it that, during the Panduranga dynasty, the Cham people built temples on Cu Lao hill in Kauthara to worship Goddess Ponagar, mother of the Cham country – the common name is Ponagar Tower. The towers are built of brick material with artistic decorations of stone and ceramic materials.
Ponagar tower is a large architectural complex, distributed on 3 grounds including the Gate Tower, Mandapa and the temple complex. Over thousands of years, due to historical fluctuations, at present, the relic remains 5 architectural works on two grounds, including Mandapa (vestibule) and temple tower above.
The Mandapa (vestibule) has 4 rows of large columns built of baked brick; including 10 large columns inside and 12 small octagonal columns on the outside. This place was built with the purpose of waiting house before going to the tower for ceremony on important occasions of the Cham community at that time.
The temple tower area was built at the highest position of Cu Lao hill, including 4 works. Including the northeast tower (main tower); Southeast tower (ancient tower); south tower (grandfather tower) and northwest tower (uncle’s tower).
According to researchers, the main tower is about 23 m (the highest); was built for the first time in the years 813-817. Through many historical events, the tower was rebuilt in the middle of the 11th century. The main tower houses a statue of goddess Ponagar – the soul of the ancient tower cluster.
On the occasion of April 25-27 (March 20-23 of lunar calendar) every year, there are many Cham people in provinces; such as Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Thua Thien …; pilgrimage to Ponagar Tower to attend the festival commemorating the merits of Thien Y Ana Thanh Mau – who is called Po Inu Nag by the Cham residents; the mother of the country; has made many merits to help the people. and good and happy things to them.
Today, the Ponagar tower relic is a must-visit for domestic and foreign tourists to Nha Trang.
Ponagar tower ticket price: 22,000 VND / person
Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00
Telephone number of Ponagar tower: 0899 789 815.
Address: Near Xom Bong bridge – Nha Trang city.
