The Ponagar Tower Complex in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, is one of the largest Cham architectural sites remaining in Central Vietnam. Built between the 8th and 13th centuries, it dates back to a time when Hinduism was flourishing in the ancient Champa Kingdom.

1. Overview of Ponagar Tower in Nha Trang

Ponagar Tower sits atop a small hill, approximately 50 meters above sea level, near the Cai River estuary, about 2 km north of Nha Trang city center.

1.1. Three-Tiered Architecture

The Ponagar complex consists of three levels, ascending from bottom to top:

Lower floor: Originally housed a gate tower, which no longer exists. A stone staircase leads up to the middle level.

Middle floor (Mandapa): This area served as a resting and preparation hall for pilgrims. The Mandapa is 20 meters long and 15 meters wide, featuring four rows of octagonal columns (10 large and 12 smaller ones). The larger columns have deeply carved mortises, symmetrically aligned with the tops of the smaller columns.

Upper floor: The main area where the Cham towers are located. These towers were built in the traditional Cham style, using bricks that were so precisely fitted together that the bonding material remains invisible to the naked eye.

1.2. Architecture of the Main Sanctuary Tower

The main worship tower, known as Ponagar Tower, is the largest structure in the front row, standing approximately 23 meters tall. This tower has four levels, each featuring doorways, deity statues, and stone-carved animal figures.

Inside, there is a 2.6-meter-tall statue of the goddess carved from black granite. In earlier times, the statue was made of agarwood, and even further back, it was crafted from gold. The goddess sits majestically on a stone lotus pedestal, with her back resting against a large bodhi leaf-shaped stone slab. This sculpture is considered a masterpiece of Cham art, blending relief carving and full-round sculpture techniques.

At the top of the tower, there is a statue of Lord Shiva riding the sacred bull Nandin, accompanied by other symbolic animals, including swans, goats, and elephants.

Nha Trang city 1 day tour

• Visit the famous church with Gothic architecture blended with Eastern design.
• Explore an ancient Cham structure built in 817, a symbol of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Land of Agarwood.
• Visit the largest pagoda in Nha Trang, known for the largest outdoor White Buddha statue in the city.
• Enjoy Bird’s Nest Tea, a delicacy once reserved for royalty.
• Explore the process of raising and processing bird’s nests, where you can purchase bird’s nest products as gifts.
• Relax with a full-body massage with water jets, soak in communal baths, and enjoy services like swimming pools, waterfalls, and hydrotherapy (self-pay).

When visiting Nha Trang, a city tour is an exciting experience. Each destination has its unique charm. With Let’s Fly Travel’s Nha Trang City Tour, along with sightseeing, a wide range of services will meet all your needs. Let’s Fly Travel specializes in organizing tours in Nha Trang City, ensuring customer satisfaction.

$ 24

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2. The Ancient Legend of Ponagar Tower

2.1. The Myth of Lady Ponagar

According to legend, on Dai An Mountain, a poor woodcutter couple made a living by growing melons. One day, they discovered a young girl picking their fruit and decided to adopt her.

As she grew up, she longed for the heavenly realms and eventually transformed into a piece of Kỳ Nam (a rare fragrant wood), drifting downstream until it reached a royal palace.

The Prince of Bac Hai found the mystical piece of wood and brought it back to his court. One night, a beautiful woman named Thien Y Ana emerged from the wood, and the prince married her.

After giving birth to two children, Thien Y Ana returned to her homeland, where she taught the people farming and weaving. In the end, she ascended to the heavens on a crane, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom and generosity.

To honor her, the people built Ponagar Tower, where visitors today can learn about her story, admire the stunning Cham architecture, and enjoy mesmerizing Cham dance performances.

You can read more: Long Son Pagoda: The sacred pagoda in the heart of Nha Trang

2.2. According to Cham Legend

Queen Po Nagar, also known as Thien Y Thanh Mau Ana, is believed to be a goddess born from clouds and sea foam. She is said to have created the earth and blessed humanity with trees and rice cultivation.

She had 97 husbands, with Po Yan Amo being the most revered. She also had 38 daughters, three of whom became guardian deities of different lands:

• Po Nagar Dara (Khanh Hoa)
• Po Rarai Anaih (Ninh Thuan)
• Po Bia Tikuk (Phan Thiet)

According to Cham beliefs, the statue of Po Nagar was originally depicted without clothing, but later, Vietnamese influences introduced Buddhist-style attire.

Today, Ponagar Tower remains a significant spiritual and cultural destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Though the legend of Lady Ponagar has faded into the past, the temple complex still holds the thoughts and nostalgia of many generations. The cool breeze from the Cai River carries a sense of tranquility, while nearby. The charming Xom Con and Xom Bong villages have inspired poetry and literature for centuries.

3. Ponagar Tower Festival

Every year, from the 21st to the 23rd of the third lunar month, the Ponagar Tower Festival takes place, featuring diverse and vibrant activities that showcase Cham culture. It is recognized as one of Vietnam’s 16 national festivals.

Visiting Ponagar Tower in Nha Trang, travelers not only explore its rich history, architecture. And spirituality but also enjoy traditional Cham performances by ethnic Cham dance troupes. These captivating Cham dances leave a lasting impression on visitors, adding to the sacred and mystical experience of this historic site.