Po Nagar Cham Temple
Destination
Open hour: 7.00Am - 7.00Pm
Po Nagar Temple was widely known to be erected in the 8th Century (781 A.D), the information of the temple complex was recorded on a stele, The Po Nagar complex is situated on Cù Lao Mountain. It consists of three levels, the highest of which encompasses two rows of towers. The main tower is about 25 m high and it is a sacred temple for both Hiddu and Buddha
Historically, Cham is an ancient civilization that was really influential in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia. The Cham ruled the Central Vietnam for 15 centuries as an indepenent kingdom from 2nd A.D to 14th Century, their unmistakable architecture and art style had spread widely across places in the country. They got very much Indianize culture from India when the Indian Merchants sailed from India to China for trading and stopped over at this Kingdom and also they brought the Hidduism to Cham people.
The largest, which is 25m high, was built in 817 AD and contains a linga and a statue dedicated to Ponagar, who is said to have taught new agricultural and weaving techniques to people of the area. In gratitude they have built the complex to honour the Goddess.
The central tower is in honour of Cri Cambhu who blesses devotees with fertility, ence childless couples often visit and pray there. The North West tower is in honour of Sanhaka, a wood cutter and foster father to Ponagar. The tower in the south was dedicated to Ganeca, the daughter of Ponagar.
In the 17th century, the Viet people occupied Nha Trang region and took over the temple tower, calling it " Mother of the region" Tower. A number of Vietnamese legends regarding the goddess and the tower have come into being.