Ponagar Nha Trang is considered as the most famous of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa, Ponagar tower is a typical temple complex of Cham architectural art and sculpture. The tower is located on a small hill, also known as Thap Ba Mountain, at the mouth of the Cai River, in Vinh Phuoc Ward, north of Nha Trang City. Located right in the heart of the beautiful coastal city of Nha Trang so most visitors are visiting and admire this unique architectural.
The architecture of the Ponagar Tower consists of 3 floors. Lower level: The horizontal ground is the gate tower that is no longer there.
From there the stone steps lead up to the middle floor, where only two main columns of octagonal brick, each of the five columns is more than 1 meter in diameter and 3 meters higher. On both sides of the large columns are 12 small and lower columns, all on a brick floor higher than 1 meter.The top floor is where the towers were built, in front of the main tower. Ponagar Tower refers to the population of this temple, but it is actually the name of the largest tower, about 23m high.
The temple was built by King Champa Harivácman in the years 813 – 817. Over a long time, the tower was damaged much. Ancient Far East School organized using brick to rebuild many parts and embellish some statues on the tower. The first floor of the tower is paved, with 14 pillars and consecutive levels. The second floor is a cluster of four towers, All four towers are built in the style of Cham towers: brick built very tight, no see adhesive. The hollow tower to the top, the tower door facing east. The outer surface of the tower has many ridges. At the top of the pillars are often decorated decorative domes, like a small tower on a large tower. On the body of the tower there are many statues and reliefs of terracotta, including Ponagar, Tenexa, fairies, animals such as deer, yellow goose, lion….The main hall of worship is Ponagar, symbolizing beauty, art and creativity.
Ponagar tower is built four floors, each floor has doors, statues and stone animals. Inside the tower is a statue of a black marble goddess sitting on a majestic stone statue of lotus, back resting on a large stone plate. It is a masterpiece of Champa sculpture, a harmonious combination of statue circular and sculpture techniques. Other temples worship Siva, Sanhaka and Ganeca.
Every year, (from 20 to 23/3 lunar calendar), the monument Ponagar Tower receives thousands of visitors to pilgrimage. Ponagar Tower Festival is considered one of the largest festivals in the South Central region and the Central Highlands, In those days, Apart from religious ceremonies, folk beliefs such as: pray peace of the monk, Performing singing, performing unicorn dance, ball dancing…
