Ponagar Tower - Cham cultural imprint

Ponagar Tower is a temple complex over 1,200 years old located on Cu Lao hill, along the gentle Cai River.

Located on a high hill, hidden under the shade of cool green ancient trees, Ponagar Tower is a place that tourists often visit on their journey to explore the coastal city of Nha Trang.

According to Cham legend, Queen Ponagar, also known as the Holy Mother Ana, is a goddess created from clouds and sea foam.

This goddess created the earth with trees and rice, gave life to all species and taught people how to work and make a living.

Perhaps that is why this goddess is also called Mother of the Country. In the Ponagar tower complex, Mother of the Country is worshiped in the largest main tower, about 23m high, along with 4 towers East - West - South - North located at the highest position. Stone steps will lead down to the lower floor, a large area with up to 22 tower pillars.

There are many theories about the meaning of those towers, but the Cham people believe that they are towers used to support the sky because this is the common roof of the Cham people.

Like the main towers, the octagonal pillars are built of fired bricks using a unique technique of closely stacking 20cm x 20cm bricks without any adhesives.

This is a mystery that has yet to be convincingly explained to researchers.

Along with the architectural art is the unique sculpture art recorded in this temple complex.

With talent and creativity, Cham artisans have harmoniously and subtly combined architecture and sculpture, expressing the typical values of Cham culture.

Statues and reliefs are placed in many locations such as on the top of the tower, around the tower walls, decorating the inside of the tower or used for worship. From images of ordinary people working hard like hunting, milling rice to statues of dancers, mascots and gods, all are elaborately and vividly carved.

The most memorable is the statue of the goddess Ponagar carved from black granite. The goddess Ponagar is depicted sitting on a majestic lotus-shaped stone pedestal, her back leaning against a large stone slab shaped like a Bodhi leaf. The statue symbolizes fertility with a strong figure.

Cham “artists” have taken care of every detail from the holy mother’s powerful hands to accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, etc. The Ponagar Tower complex with its temples and system of statues and reliefs is like a living museum of Cham culture.

Heritage Magazine