HISTORY | THE LOST KINGDOM OF CHAMPA | PONAGAR TEMPLE | NHA TRANG

Ponagar temple Ponagar Relic Temple (Nha Trang city- Khanh Hoa) is one of the architectural complexes of Champa culture with the largest scale in the central of Vietnam. Ponagar temple was built around XII-XIII century, period Hindus (Hinduism) was prosperous in ancient Cham kingdom. Experiencing the rise and fall of history, people living along the bank of Cai river (Khanh Hoa) handed down the legend of the goddess Ana Ponagar. In the end of 2012, Ponagar temple was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The architecture of Ponagar consists of three floors, from the bottom up. On the lower floor, the ground level is the gate tower that is no longer at present. From there the stone stairs lead up to the middle floor. On the middle floor is known as Mandapa (ie guest house, undisturbed house) for pilgrims to rest, preparation of offerings. The Mandapa is 20m long, 15m wide, consisting of 4 octagonal columns (10 large columns and 12 small columns). On the trunk of the large columns have holes, deep into the column, symmetrically equal to the top of the small columns. The top floor is a place where the towers are located. The towers are built in the style of Cham, bricks are very tight, not see adhesives. The main tower in the front row which is quite large and about 23 meters high is Ponagar tower. The tower has four floors, each floors have doors, statues and stone animals. Inside is a statue of goddess (2,6 m high) carved with black granite (previously is incense, and further is gold) on the majestic stone with the shape of lotus, the back leans on large leaf shape of Bodhi. This is a masterpiece on Champa sculpture, a harmonious combination of circular and sculpture techniques. At the top of the tower there is a statue of Shiva on Nandin, and statues of swan, goat and elephant. Every year, the Ponagar temple festival was held from 20th to 23th March of the lunar calendar. The Cham and Kinh people everywhere carry their offerings, pilgrimages to Ponagar temple in Nha Trang to express their sincere gratitude to a woman who had taught them how to work and live by agriculture. Visiting Ponagar temple in Nha Trang, besides learning about history, architecture, spiritual, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy the Cham dance performed by the Cham music group Hãy bấm "Like","Share"và "Subcrible"(https://goo.gl/IicJLS) để nhận những video mới nhất từ tác giả Mọi đóng góp ý kiến ,liên lạc về Tộc Huỳnh xin vui lòng gởi về gmail:[email protected] YOUTUBE.COM/HUYNHVANBAN .Xin chân thành cảm ơn quý vị đã xem.