Ponagar Tower - attractive destination in Nha Trang

Nha Trang - "the pearl of the East Sea" is not only famous for its poetic and beautiful natural landscape but also known as a land with a long history, Cham culture with relics that have survived the test of time. Among them, Ponagar Tower is considered the most famous landmark, a tourist symbol of Khanh Hoa province.

Tourists capture moments when visiting Ponagar Tower, Nha Trang city ( Khanh Hoa ).

About 2 km north of Nha Trang city center, Ponagar Tower is located on Cu Lao hill about 10m high, next to Cai river, in Vinh Phuoc ward. Ponagar Tower is a typical temple complex of beautiful architecture and sculpture of the Hindu period, the largest Cham cultural heritage in the South Central region.

Ponagar Tower was built around 817, showing the prosperity of the ancient Cham kingdom. According to historical records, under the Panduranga dynasty, the Cham people built temples on Cu Lao hill in Kauthara to worship the Goddess Ponagar (in Cham language, Mother of the Land) of the Cham people, commonly known as Ponagar Tower. The relic dates from the 8th to the 13th century, through many restorations, and has a particularly important position in the religious and spiritual life of the Cham people. Each work contains the artistic quintessence of Champa culture. The Ponagar Tower relic complex is a destination that attracts millions of tourists because of its grandeur and the talented creation of ancient Cham sculpture. Each stretch and movement of the structure vividly depicts the breath of time from the past to the present, so that every time visitors look at it, they cannot help but admire it.

In the area of nearly 50,000 ^m2 , the Tower is an architectural complex divided into 3 floors: Gate Tower, Mandapa vestibule, and temple tower area. Due to historical fluctuations, the gate tower floor is no longer intact, but traces of the old architecture still remain, which are the pillars and steps made of stone leading to the 2nd floor. The Mandapa vestibule area is meant to be a meditation house, that is, a place for visitors to come to make a pilgrimage, meditate and relax, with 22 octagonal pillars of different heights; according to research by scientists , this could be the place to prepare offerings before offering to the Lady, a very unique highlight of Ponagar Tower. The temple tower area is the highest floor, where you can witness the extremely magnificent and majestic natural scenery, with the highest tower reaching over 23m.

In particular, the towers are all built in a style where the bricks are stacked very tightly together without any visible adhesive. This is a unique and mysterious feature that researchers have yet to discover, which is even more attractive to tourists who love curiosity and exploring archaeological sites. Besides the three main areas, visitors can admire the ancient Champa steles at Ponagar Tower. These steles are of great value in studying the culture and history of the ancient Champa kingdom.

With its typical historical, cultural, scientific and artistic values, since 1979, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) has ranked Ponagar Tower as a national historical and cultural relic.
When visiting Ponagar Tower, in addition to learning about history, architecture, and spirituality, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy the captivating Cham dances, creating a beautiful impression for visitors when coming to this revered place. Ponagar Tower is a place where many cultural and festival activities regularly take place. In 2012, the Ponagar Tower Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is an annual festival to commemorate the Holy Mother Ana, who is honored by the people as the Mother of the South Central region who taught people how to grow crops, raise livestock, and weave fabrics; praying for national prosperity, favorable weather, and a peaceful life.

Every year, on the day of the Lady's death anniversary (from 21st to 23rd of the third lunar month), the Ponagar Tower relic site welcomes tens of thousands of pilgrims. This is one of the biggest festivals in the South Central and Central Highlands regions. The festival takes place with many cultural activities typical of Cham ethnic culture such as: the ceremony of changing the Holy Mother's clothes, the ceremony of praying for national peace and prosperity, releasing flower lanterns on Cai River, the ceremony of returning to the capital, traditional sacrifices, Cham dance, dance to worship the Mother Goddess, Tuong performances, lion dance, ball dance... Thereby, introducing and honoring the beauty of Cham culture, demonstrating the cultural exchange between Kinh and Cham people passed down through many generations.

In the middle of the bustling city, the thousand-year-old Cham towers still exist as cultural symbols and unforgettable historical core values. Visiting Ponagar Tower and learning about Cham ethnic culture is an interesting experience that tourists should not miss on their journey to explore the beautiful coastal city of Nha Trang.

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