Po Nagar Cham Towers

Location: On Cu Lao Hill, by Cai River, belongs to Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, about 2km to the north of the city centre. 
Characteristic: This is a typical architectural and sculptural work of Cham culture.

History of foundation

(TITC) - The complex was built in the 8th century – the prosperous period of Hinduism in the ancient Kingdom of Cham Pa (Khauthara region), now Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces.

 

Originally, the tower was made of wood in order to worship Thien Y Thanh Mau (Goddess Po Nagar) who Cham people consider as the goddess created the Earth, trees, and rice. Then, King Prithi Indravarman had the tower rebuilt to worship Goddess Bhagavati. In 774, King Satysuaman also had the tower rebuilt by stone and brick but it was destroyed later. The current tower complex was built in 965 by King Jaya Indravarman I to worship the gods of Po Nagar, Siva (one of three supreme gods of Hinduism), Sanhaka and Ganeca (sons of God Siva).

 

Architecture

The Po Nagar Tower Complex consists of three levels. The lowest level is the gate tower totally destroyed. From here, there are stone steps leading up to the middle level called Mandapa (meditation hall) where pilgrims can rest and prepare offerings. Mandapa is 20m long and 15m wide, includes two rows of 10 large pillars and 12 small pillars.

 

On the third level, there are two parallel tower ranges, each range had 3 towers but now only 4 ones remain. In this architectural complex, the main tower to worship Goddess Po Nagar is the largest one with its height of 23m, terraced pyramidal roof. Inside the tower, there is a 2.6m-high statue of the goddess made of black granite sitting on a lotus-shaped stone base, backing on a large Bodhi leaf-shaped stone plate. The statue is considered as a masterpiece of Cham sculpture. The other three towers are dedicated to God of Siva and his two sons, Gods of Sanhaca and Ganeca.

 

The Po Nagar tower complex preserves many ancient inscriptions of Cham people about sacrifices and worship to Goddess Po Nagar, the praise for the goddess, and the construction of the tower complex...

 

 

Festival

Every year, from the 21st to the 23rd days of the third lunar month, Po Nagar Festival is organized with large scale, including activities as washing and changing clothes for the statue, dang ba dance, ghe racing, boi singing… This is the biggest religious festival in the region to commemorate Goddess Po Nagar.

 

In 1979, Po Nagar Tower Complex was recognized as a national historical site by Ministry of Culture and Information (now Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).

 

From 2000 to 2003, the complex was restored and embellished. With its unique architecture, the complex has become an attractive destination for tourists when visiting Nha Trang.

 

Opening time: 6.00am – 6.00pm daily

Fare: 22,000VND/person

 

Thu Giang

 

ALBUM
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
WHERE TO STAY
Ibis Styles Nha Trang Hotel

Add: 80 Hung Vuong St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 6274 997

Edele Hotel

Add: 61 Nguyen Thien Thuat St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3527 788

Regalia Hotel

Add: 98B Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 6263 333     

Daisy Hotel

Add: 69 - 71 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3514 979

Sen Việt Premium Nha Trang Hotel

Add: 116A Hong Bang St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3886 333

Fairy Bay Hotel

Add: 42 Pham Van Dong St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3835 835/ 3835 888

Golden Rain moi Hotel

Add: 3/1 Tran Quang Khai St, Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 6261 166

Alana Nha Trang Beach Hotel

Add: 116A Hong Bang St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3528 686

Nam Hung Hotel

Add: 18 Biet Thu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 6256 789

Dong Phuong 2 Hotel

Add: 96A4 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3521 137

Victorian Nha Trang Hotel

Add: 98A/5 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3527 188 / 3527 399

Diamond Bay Hotel

Add: 20 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3819 777

Merperle SeaSun Hotel

Add: 2 Tran Quang Khai St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3529 292

Copac Hotel

Add: 89 Hong Bang St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3516 680

Vinpearl Golf Land Resort & Villas

Add: Hon Tre, Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3590 611

Rosaka Hotel

Add: 107A Nguyen Thiet Thuat St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3833 333

Luxury Hotel

Add: 24 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3527 158/ 3127 159

Sunniva Hotel

Add: 25 Hoang Van Thụ St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3591 999

Amy Hotel

Add: 78 Hung Vuong St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3527 003/3527 004

Angella Hotel

Add: 3 Tran Hung Dao St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3521 246

WHERE TO EAT
Au Lac Restaurant

Add: 28C Hoang Hoa Tham St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3522 942

Lac Canh Restaurant

Add: 44 Nguyen Binh Khiem St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3821 391/ 3822 522

Lys Restaurant

Add: 117A Hoang Van Thu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3822 006

Czech beer Hoang Gia Restaurant

Add: Villa 22, 86 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3523 668

Cay Me Restaurant

Add: 284 - 2/4 St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3811 576

Nha Trang Lodge Restaurant

Add: 42 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3821 500/ 3821 900

Que Huong Restaurant

Add: 60 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3825 047

ISE Hotel Restaurant

Add: 02 Nguyen Thien Thuat St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3524 734

Seafood Bombay Restaurant

Add: 34 Hung Vuong St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3816 206

Ga ran 99 Restaurant

Add: 65A Quang Trung St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3524 752

86A Sai Gon Beer Restaurant

Add: 86A Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3521 785

Avason Restaurant

Add: 86 Tran Phu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3829 829

Fresh beer Louisiane Restaurant

Add: Lot 29 Tran Phu Park, Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3521 948

Good Morning Restaurant

Add: 19B Biet Thu St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3815 071

Kim Chi Restaurant

Add: 82 Huynh Thuc Khang St., Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3512 357

La Louisiane Restaurant

Add: Tran Phu Boulevard, Nha Trang City

Tel: (84-258) 3812 948