Located on the top of a small slope of Cai River, about 2km north of Nha Trang city center, Ponagar Tower is a typical historical and cultural relic of the Cham people that remains to this day. This is not only a sacred spiritual destination but also a place to preserve unique ancient artistic and architectural values.
History and significance
The tower was built around the 8th - 13th century, the period when the Champa kingdom flourished. The name “Ponagar” in Cham means “Mother of the Land” – referring to the mythical goddess Po Ina Nagar, who is worshiped by the Cham people as a creator deity, bestowing life, sleep and peace.
Unique architecture
The Ponagar Tower complex consists of 3 floors:
The lower floor: used to be the main gate, now only the ancient foundation remains.
The middle floor: is a resting place, a place to worship – highlighted by two rows of tall stone pillars (Mandapa), each pillar is carved with fine carvings.
The top floor: is where 4 tower floors are located, in which the main tower is nearly 23m high, worshiping the goddess Ponagar. The towers are all built with baked bricks, Gmail does not use data, can build the miraculous construction techniques of the ancient Cham people.
Cultural experience
Visitors coming here not only admire the ancient beauty of the construction but also have the opportunity to participate in folk festivals, especially the Po Nagar Festival held at the end of the third lunar month every year - a place where the quintessence of Cham culture and indigenous beliefs converge.