Situated on Cu Lao hill, next to Cai River in the central coastal town, the temple is a clear reflection of Cham culture. It was built when Hinduism lay at the center of the then Champa Kingdom.

Po Nagar Temple in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province.

Legend holds that the goddess Yan Po Nagar was sent from heaven to instruct the Champa how to develop agriculture, the kingdom's main foundation. For this contribution, the goddess was profoundly revered by the people of south-central and Central Highland regions.

Po Nagar Temple historically consisted of three levels, the lowest entrance level having disappeared. The second level, meant to offer pilgrims a place of rest, now only has two rows of pillars left.

The final level comprises four hollow towers, all facing north, built of mortarless red bricks. Decorations include ornate terracotta statues that portray the goddess Yan Po Nagar, the god Tenexa, fairies, along with deer, golden geese, and lions.

The main tower, at 23 meters in height, is dedicated to the goddess Yan Po Nagar, and includes four storeys covered in statues depicting the goddess and animals.

Its interior holds a black granite statue of Yan Po Nagar, formerly sculpted from gold and agarwood, placed atop a giant lotus bud with her back resting against a large bodhi leaf-shaped rock.

Bas-relief of the goddess Durga dancing with two musicians on the main tower.

Meanwhile, the tower pinnacle is decorated with sculptures showing the supreme god Shiva and many scared animals from Hindu scripture.

The remaining three towers are all dedicated to Shiva, along with his two sons Sanhaka and Ganeca. Surrounding the towers are stone inscriptions commemorating Yan Po Nagar, some listing the offerings made by Champa worshippers.

Po Nagar Temple was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national historic site in 1979.

Ponagar Tower Festival, held from 21th to 23th of the third lunar month annually, was also recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage and one of 16 national festivals.

Da Nang offers virtual tour of Champa sculptures through 3D scans

The central city of Da Nang has unveiled a new virtual reality app that allows visitors to admire objects on display at the Museum of Champa Sculpture through three-dimensional scans.

Champa culture antiques uncovered in Phu Yen province

Archaeologists from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology have discovered antiques and architectural works of Champa culture dating back to the fourth century in Dong Mieu area in Phu Hoa district in the south-central coastal province of Phu Yen.

Relics of 1,000-year-old temple architecture found in Tay Ninh

The Southern Institute of Social Sciences’ Centre for Archeological Studies has recently discovered vestiges of an ancient temple architecture dating back to over 1,000 years ago at Ben Dinh historical and cultural relic site in Ben Cau district, the southwestern province of Tay Ninh.

Temple of Literature named as host of calligraphy spring festival 2020

Up to 52 calligraphers are set to take part in a calligraphy spring festival which will open on January 18 at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, reported The Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

PM attends inauguration of martyr memorial temple in Quang Nam

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the inauguration ceremony for Nui Que – Anh Linh Dai Martyr Memorial Temple in Que Phu commune, Que Son district, in the central province of Quang Nam on January 7.

Source: VnExpress