Ponagar Tower honored as national relic
This thousand-year-old Cham temple complex is closely tied to the spiritual and cultural life of central Vietnam.
THE HANOI TIMES — Ponagar Tower in the central province of Khanh Hoa, a Cham architectural complex over a thousand years old, has been listed as a national special relic.
The ancient Cham tower, over a thousand years old, seen from above. Photo: Vietnamnet.
Ponagar Tower sits on Cu Lao Hill beside the Cai River along 2/4 Street in North Nha Trang Ward. Built between the 8th and 13th centuries, it honors the goddess Ponagar, who is revered as the Mother of the Cham people.
The complex is distinguished by its three-tiered layout, with the highest level featuring four grand brick towers. The main tower, which is approximately 23 meters tall, houses a statue of the goddess and stands as a striking landmark.
Chairman of the provincial government Tran Quoc Nam highlighted the tower's historical and architectural value, as well as its preservation of precious artifacts such as royal decrees and ancient sculptures.
For centuries, the tower has played a central role in the spiritual lives of the Cham and Vietnamese communities.
The statue of the goddess Po Inu Nagar is a highlight of Cham sculpture, reflecting spiritual beliefs and cultural artistry.
Today, the Ponagar Temple Complex retains its original structure and remains closely linked to traditional legends.
It serves as a sacred symbol for people in central Vietnam.
