Po Nagar Cham Tower in Nha Trang: History & Architecture

Po Nagar Cham Towers Complex (Vietnamese: Tháp Bà Po Nagar) is one of the Best Tourist Attractions to visit in Nha Trang City of Vietnam. At this site, you will have a chance to explore the wonderful Champa architecture as well as learn more about the history of the Champa Kingdon – A Powerful Country in Central of Vietnam from 4th – 17th Century. This is an extremely unique artistic and architectural work of the ancient Cham people that is worth experiencing.

• Location: 61 Hai Thang Tu Street, Vinh Phuoc, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
• Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m everyday
• Entrance Fee: 21,000 VND/ticket/time
• Dress Code: Decent Cthothes inside the temples.

History of Po Na Gar Cham Tower:

Po Na Gar Cham Tower in Nha Trang is a complex of Cham Pa relics built from the 7th to the 13th centuries. At that time, the Champa Kingdom was flourishing nation and Hinduism was still worshiped as national religion here. In the language of the Cham Pa people, the word “Po Nagar” in the name of the tourist attraction means "the mother of the country".

Beside the popular name Po Nagar Tower, this is also known as Yang Po Inu Nagar Tower or Yang Po Ana Gar because it was built to worship the Queen Po Ina Nagar of Champa Kingdom. According to the beliefs of the Cham people, she was the goddess of creation, coming out of clouds and sea foam to give them bountiful harvests as well as a peaceful life.

Accordingly, this temple complex has very special significance in the spiritual life of the Cham people in Nha Trang, and contains the artistic quintessence of Cham culture. In 1979, Po Nagar Tower was classified as a national monument located in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.

Architecture of Po Nagar Cham Tower:

Coming to the beautiful city of Nha Trang, Po Nagar Tower is considered a spiritual tourist attraction quite attractive to tourists. The temple is located on top of a small hill about 50m above sea level, at the mouth of Cai river, about 2km north of Nha Trang city center.

The overall architecture of the Po Nagar tower consists of 3 floors, going from bottom to top. On the lower floor, across the level ground, is the gate tower, which is no longer there. From there there are stone steps leading to the middle floor.

In the middle floor called Mandapa (ie guest house, retreat house) for pilgrims to rest and prepare offerings. Mandapa is 20m long, 15m wide, including 4 rows of octagonal columns (including 10 large columns and 12 small columns). On the body of the large columns, there are mortise holes, deeply carved into the body of the column, symmetrically equal to the tops of the small columns.

The top floor is where the towers are located. The towers are built in the Cham style, the bricks are very tight, no adhesive is visible. The main worship tower in the front row is quite large and about 23m high, is the Po Nagar tower. The tower has 4 floors, each floor has a door, a statue of a god and a stone animal. Inside is a statue of a goddess (2.6m high) carved in black marble (previously agarwood and furthermore in gold) sitting on a majestic stone pedestal in the shape of a lotus, with her back leaning against a large stone shaped like a stone. Bodhi leaf. This is a masterpiece of Champa sculpture, which is a harmonious combination between round and embossed statue techniques.

On the top of the tower, there is a statue of Shiva riding on the bull god Nandin and mascots such as swans, goats, elephants... The inscription area. Another highlight in the complex of Po Nagar Cham Towers Nha Trang is the long-standing stela with a memorial inscription. These stela have great cultural and historical value and are associated with a particular landmark in history.

The first stele contains the legend of the Thien Y Ana Holy Mother. In 1856, its content was translated into Han Nom by Phan Thanh Gian. Erected in 2010, the stele, introducing the overall monument of Po Nagar Temple in the national language, is recognized as the last stele in the complex.

Activities at Po Nagar Tower you should join:

Many tourists often choose to come to Po Nagar Cham Towers in the third lunar month to offer incense and pray for their good life. In addition, at that time, you will have the opportunity to experience the largest Cham festival of the Central Highlands and South Central regions. 

This festival is associated with the legend of worshiping Thien Y Ana Holy Mother. It takes place with many unique folk religious activities such as shadow dance (mua bong), lion dance, listening to prayers for peace,... 

How to Get to Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang?

Po Nagar Cham Towers is about 2 kilometers away from the center of Nha Trang City to the North. It is located on Cu Lao Hill which is a 10-meter-high hill adjacent to Cai River. The natural scenery here is extremely beautiful with the harmony of mountains and rivers, which gives tourists a lot of enjoyable experiences.

From the city center, you can find it easy to go to Po Nagar by making your way along Tran Phu Street to the North, crossing Tran Phu Bridge and turning onto Thap Ba Street. At the end of Thap Ba Street, you can see Po Nagar Cham Towers ahead.

Adventure Journey

See Also:

• Nha Trang Vietnam Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Nha Trang City, Vietnam