Hanoi (VNA) ಌ– The Ponagar Cham Tower, built between the 8th and 13th centuries, is a quintessential edifice in the collection of Cham architectural temples of southern Vietnam. Over the years, the site has transformed into an attractive spiritual tourism destination in Nha Trang city, the south-central province of Khanh Hoa.

Also known as Thap Ba Mountain, the Ponagar Cham Tower is located at the mouth of the Cai river, 2km north of the centre of Nha Trang. The name Ponagar refers to the complete complex, of which the site is part of the essence of the Cham people, an architectural manifestation of the combination between a diversified culture, and an ancient civilisation. The tower is associated with the My Son Sanctuary - the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. This is where tourists can explore the wonderful architectural works of the Hindu period in this area, and learn more about the history of the Cham people in this land.

Exquisite architecture

The Ponagar Tower is a temple situated atop a small hill, about 50m above sea level. The architectural complex of Ponagar consists of three levels. At the lowest level was the gate tower, which no longer exists. From there, stone steps lead up to the middle level, called Mandapa (which means guest house or meditation hall). This is designed for pilgrims to rest and prepare offerings. The Mandapa is 20m long and 15m wide, featuring four rows of octagonal columns.

The large columns feature mortise holes carved deep into them, aligned horizontally with the tops of the smaller columns. The tower also showcases numerous terracotta statues and bas-reliefs, including images of Po Nagar, the deity Tenexa, celestial maidens, and various animals such as deer, golden geese, and lions. The mortise holes in the large columns are aligned horizontally with the tops of the smaller ones. The tower also features numerous terracotta statues and bas-reliefs, including depictions of goddess Ponagar, God Tenexa, celestial maidens, and various animals such as deer, golden geese, and lions. The top level is where the main towers are located. These towers are built in the Cham style, with tightly fitting bricks that hide the binding material. The central Ponagar Tower is in the front row, which is quite large and stands about 23m. It is the biggest in an architectural complex comprising four temple towers each with doors, deities, and stone animal carvings. Inside is a goddess statue 2.6m high carved from black granite sitting on an imposing lotus-shaped pedestal, with its back supported by a large stone slab shaped like a Bodhi leaf. This statue is considered a masterpiece of the Cham sculpture, the perfect balance harmoniously combining round sculpture techniques with bas-reliefs. At the top of the tower is a statue of God Shiva riding the bull God Nandin, accompanied by other mascots such as swans, goats, and elephants. The exterior of the tower is decorated with carvings depicting dancers, boaters, rice grinders, and hunters.

The Ponagar Tower is a masterpiece of architectural and sculptural art of the Cham people. The construction techniques used from the 8th to the 13th centuries remain a mystery, despite extensive research and numerous scientific studies. In 1979, the Ponagar Tower was recognised as a national historical and cultural relic site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Goddess Ponagar Festival

The Goddess Ponagar Festival, annually held on 20th – 23rd days of the third lunar month, attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims and residents who come to commemorate the Goddess Thien Y A Na (called Po Inu Nagar). She is the Holy Mother of the Cham community in the central region and, according to Cham legend, taught locals to cultivate crops and make handicrafts. The festival involves numerous spiritual rituals and cultural activities, including a ceremony to replace the Goddess’s dress and bathe her statue in herbal water. There is also an incense offering ceremony,those to pray for peace, happiness, and prosperity, as well as dancing, singing, and acting out of old stories. The Goddess Ponagar Festival is recognszed as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2012. The festival helps showcase the beauty of the folk worship of the Mother Goddess in Khanh Hoa, and serves as an opportunity to boost local tourism activities./.