Khanh Hoa province will hold a ceremony to honor the Ponagar Tower Special National Monument in Nha Trang, to honor the cultural and historical values of this thousand-year-old tower.
Ponagar Tower has special cultural and historical value.
Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has just agreed to establish a plan to organize the ceremony to honor the special national relic of Ponagar Tower (Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province) in the third lunar month (April in the solar calendar) on the occasion of Am Chua Festival and Ponagar Tower Festival.
The Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consult with the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee, the Department of Finance, the Department of Home Affairs and relevant agencies and units on the draft Plan.
The Provincial People's Committee noted that the budget for the Ceremony must be economical and suitable to the actual situation; complete the draft Plan, report, and advise the Provincial People's Committee before March 14, 2025.
Previously, on January 17, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long signed Decision No. 152/QD-TTg announcing the ranking of special relics in the 17th period of 2025 with 5 relics, including the Ponagar Tower architectural and artistic relic in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.
Located on Cu Lao hill, Vinh Phuoc ward, Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province, the Ponagar Tower relic was built from the 8th to the 13th century to worship Goddess Ponagar - Mother of the Cham people.
Over a thousand years of history, this place is not only an important religious center but also preserves the unique architectural quintessence of Cham culture.
The relic site is an architectural complex distributed on 3 levels: Gate Tower, Mandapa and Temple Tower area. Due to historical fluctuations, the relic site currently has 5 ancient architectural works remaining on 2 levels: Mandapa and Temple Tower area.
The Mandapa architecture dates back to around the 11th century. According to researchers, this may have been where devotees prepared offerings before going up to perform rituals at the towers above.
According to historical records and field survey results, this temple complex has a total of 6 towers. In addition to the 4 existing towers, there are 2 towers in the back area, but now only the foundations of the old towers remain. The Cham people call the towers Kalan, which means temple or tower in Vietnamese.
The Northeast Tower (Main Tower) is about 23m high. According to researchers, the Main Tower was first built in the years 813-817 and after experiencing historical events, the tower was rebuilt around the middle of the 11th century.
This is the tower worshiping the Goddess Ponagar of the Cham people, and according to Vietnamese legend, this is the place to worship Thien YA Na Thanh Mau.
Apsara dance of Cham people at Ponagar Tower
The South Tower is 18m high, the second largest in the entire architectural complex of the Ponagar temple complex. The tower dates back to the 13th century and is a place to worship Shiva. According to Vietnamese legend, it is called Ong Tower, worshiping the husband of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau.
The Southeast Tower is the smallest tower, 7.1m high. This may be a secondary structure in this architectural complex and belongs to the late type, around the 11th-12th century. The tower worships the god Skandha - the son of Shiva, the god symbolizing strength and war.
According to Vietnamese legend, the tower worships Mr. and Mrs. Tieu, the adoptive parents of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau.
The Northwest Tower is 9m high and is the only tower that is still relatively intact in terms of architecture and decoration. This tower worships Lord Ganesha - the god symbolizing luck, wisdom and happiness.
According to Vietnamese legend, the tower worships Co and Cau (children of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau). According to inscriptions and archaeology, the tower was built in 817 but has been restored many times, so the last date is around the 13th century.
The Ponagar Tower relic is not only a sacred place but also an attraction for domestic and foreign tourists. Besides its unique architectural values, this place also attracts visitors with cultural activities such as Cham dance performances, brocade weaving and especially the Ponagar Tower festival which was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2012.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khanh-hoa-to-chuc-le-vinh-danh-di-tich-quoc-gia-dac-biet-thap-ba-ponagar-20250307151403101.htm
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