Ponagar Tower Nha Trang, a famous historical relic with unique architecture imbued with ancient Champa culture, marks a period of brilliant Hindu development.
This place is still chosen by many tourists for their journey to explore Nha Trang. This is an extremely unique architectural work of ancient Cham people worth experiencing.
Legend of Ponagar Tower Nha Trang
According to the description of Ponagar Tower, “Ponagar” in Cham means “mother of the land”. This is the place to worship the goddess Po Ina Nagar, so the Tower also has another name, Yang Po Inư Nagar Tower (or Yang Po Ana Gar).
This structure was built from about the 7th to the 13th century - the prosperous period of the Champa kingdom and Hinduism.
For the ancient Cham people, the goddess Po Ina Nagar was Holy Mother of Heaven, is the creator of the earth, producing trees and rice for the people.
Therefore, they consider her as the origin of life and worship her to pray for good harvests and lush vegetation.
Perhaps that is why this is a place of special importance in the spiritual and religious life of the Cham people as well as containing many artistic quintessence in unique architecture.
Admire the ancient Cham architecture of Ponagar Tower
The entire structure is divided into 3 areas: Gate Tower, Mandapa (also known as the vestibule) and the temple tower area. Through historical changes and traces of time, there are now only 5 structures remaining, mainly concentrated in the Vestibule and Temple Tower areas.
Mandapa (Venue Area)
The entire architecture is built of baked bricks with 4 rows of large columns, including 12 small octagonal columns on the outside and 10 large columns on the inside with mortise holes.
To the east of the Mandapa are two small pillars, located on the two steps of the Forecourt and facing the main gate.
According to the remaining ancient vestiges, the architecture of the ancient Cham people created a straight axis of spirituality, leading to the main tower, where Mother Thien YA Na was worshiped.
Temple and tower area
The temple complex has a total of 6 towers, but currently only 4 remain, and most of the towers are built in a square plan with a cone-shaped top.
The Northeast Tower – the tallest tower worships the statue of Goddess Ponagar. The South Tower – the second largest, worships Lord Shiva – the Goddess’ husband.
The last tower is the Northwest tower, the third tallest tower, and is the place to worship Mr. and Mrs. Tieu - the people who took care of and raised the Goddess Thien YA Na.
Stele inscription
The inscriptions at Po Nagar Tower have great cultural, religious and historical value of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Po Nagar Tower relic has a total of 28 inscriptions, including a stele with many historical values compiled by the Minister of Rites of the Nguyen Dynasty - Phan Thanh Gian in Chinese - Nom about the legend of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau of the Vietnamese people.
- In 1979, Ponagar Tower Nha Trang was ranked as a national historical-cultural relic.
- In 2012, the Ponagar Tower Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Po Nagar Festival takes place from the 21st to the 23rd of the third lunar month every year.
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Where is Ponagar Tower Nha Trang?
Ponagar Tower Nha Trang is located on 2/4 Street, Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province. From afar, visitors can easily see a majestic tower complex located on a small hill on the banks of the gentle Cai River, 50m high.
Ponagar Tower Located right in the heart of the beautiful coastal city of Nha Trang, so visitors can easily visit and admire the sophisticated and elegantly decorated architectural work.
How to get to Ponagar Tower Nha Trang?
To move to Ponagar Tower Nha Trang It's very easy! Just go along Tran Phu street to the North, after crossing Tran Phu bridge, turn onto Thap Ba street. Go further to the end of the street and you will immediately see the Thap Ba architectural complex.
This place is only about 2km from Nha Trang center, visitors can choose many types of vehicles such as motorbike, bus, taxi, car,... If you are not familiar with traffic, Nha Trang electric car rental Going to Po Nagar Tower is the best way!
Ticket price information
At present (December 2023), the ticket price to Ponagar Tower is collected according to the regulations of Khanh Hoa province at 10,000 VND, equal to the ticket price to Hon Chong.
The price will be increased to 30,000 VND from January 1, 2023. Free tickets for some cases according to regulations. It can be said that the ticket price to visit Ponagar Tower Nha Trang is very affordable and no need to think about it!
Opening Hours
Po Nagar Tower is open to visitors from 8:00 to 16:00 every day. If you go Nha Trang 3 Island Tour You can still visit Po Nagar Tower.
As mentioned above, Ponagar Tower Nha Trang is one of the 4 City Tour tourist attractions, so people usually visit all of these places in one day.
Exciting experiences not to be missed when visiting Ponagar Tower Nha Trang
According to the feelings of many tourists about Ponagar Tower Nha Trang
of many tourists, this is not only a unique architectural work but also has many special festival activities. Below are some attractive points of this Nha Trang tourist destination that you should not miss.
Enjoy Cham dance
Cham dance is the first art activity to be performed at Ponagar Tower Nha Trang. Visitors can witness the typical dances of the ancient Cham Kingdom.
This not only preserves the past beauty of a golden empire but is also a way to promote regional culture to international friends around the world.
Immerse yourself in the Ponagar Tower Festival in Nha Trang
The worship ceremony at Po Nagar Tower takes place on the 21st – 23rd of the third lunar month every year. This festival aims to express the people’s gratitude to the Motherland and to experience the most practical aspects of the original culture.
Visitors will be able to witness traditional rituals such as the changing of clothes ceremony, the offering ceremony, the bathing of sacrificial statues and the floating lantern ceremony on the Cai River in Nha Trang.
Admire ancient Champa architecture
If you are a tourist passionate about learning about Cham architecture and Hinduism, Ponagar Tower will definitely be an ideal stop.
Many archaeological experts consider the Ponagar Tower complex in Nha Trang to be one of the works with unique and relatively complete architecture.
Mineral mud bath at Thap Ba
Thap Ba mud bath area is only about 2km from the main relic site. Famous services here include: hydrotherapy hot spring bath, mineral mud bath, jacuzzi, etc.
According to medical documents, mud baths are effective in treating diseases related to joints, nerves, and skin, and help the skin become more youthful, firmer, and smoother.
Notes when visiting Ponagar Tower Nha Trang
Not only a common tourist destination, Ponagar Tower is also a place of worship for the Cham people. Therefore, you need to note a few things after visiting here.
- Do not comment or say rude words related to goddess Ponagar.
- Do not bring outside food, eat or litter on the premises.
- Wear polite and modest clothes if you want to quickly light a candle and pray inside the temple. In case you wear inappropriate clothes, you can borrow a blue shirt in the main tower area.
- Don't forget to apply sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses or bring an umbrella to use when it's sunny.
The beauty of ancient Champa culture is always something mysterious that makes anyone who has ever set foot in Nha Trang have to visit this ancient architectural work.
Having gone through many ups and downs, Ponagar Tower Nha Trang is like a historical witness bearing many traces of time and is also a place that completely preserves the beauty of an ancient culture.
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