Po Dam Tower is considered one of the oldest and most unique tower complexes of Champa architecture. It is a popular destination for tourists visiting the sunny and windy Tuy Phong region (Lam Dong Province).
Overview of Po Dam Tower
Po Dam, or Po Tam, refers to a group of Cham towers in Lac Tri village, Lien Huong Commune. These towers were built to worship King Po Dam, also known as Po Kathit of the Cham people. He made significant contributions to the construction of the irrigation system, enabling the people to cultivate agriculture and improve their lives.
Po Dam Tower in Lam Dong Province
Many archaeologists believe that the exact construction date of the tower is unknown, but through comparisons of artistic styles, archaeologists have tentatively determined that the Po Dam tower is of the same age as the Hoa Lai-style towers (Khanh Hoa province), possibly from the late 8th or early 9th century.
However, compared with Champa’s history, the reign of Po Dam is estimated to have lasted from 1433 to 1460. Champa legend recounts a challenge during that time to see who could finish building their tower first: King Klong Garai or Po Dam (then a high-ranking official). Po Klong Garai emerged victorious.
Because of its mysteries and historical value, which embody Champa culture, Po Dam Tower was designated a National Monument by the State on June 28, 1996.
Unique architecture of Po Dam Tower
Po Dam is also different from other Champa towers because it was built at the foot of a hill rather than on top, with its main entrances facing south rather than east. This complex originally had six towers, but now only four remain, divided into two separate clusters. The southern cluster has three towers that remain relatively intact despite several restorations by the state. The northern cluster, however, has only one tower remaining; the others have collapsed over time, leaving only the remnants of their foundations.
All the towers in the Po Dam complex face south, unlike the Cham towers, which typically face east. Furthermore, the towers in this Cham cluster are smaller and shorter than those of other Cham clusters. The tallest tower is only about 6-7 meters high, with each side of the base measuring 3-3.5 meters.
decorative motifs on the tower’s body
Of the four towers that remain, the main tower in the northern cluster still retains ancient Cham cultural patterns. Based on numerous surveys, researchers believe these are ancient patterns in the Hoa Lai style of Champa culture (similar to the Hoa Lai Tower in Khanh Hoa Province). Today, visitors can still see the dense, intricate decorative art on the towers’ bodies, arches, and pilasters.
The southern cluster of towers currently consists of three towers of varying heights. All three have been completely restored. One tower lacks a roof, while the other two have small, narrow entrances and smaller interior spaces compared to traditional Cham towers.
In addition, the ancient tower complex houses many artifacts, solemnly displayed for the local Cham people to worship and perform annual rituals.
Festivals of the Cham people in Po Dam Tower
After several restorations, the entire Po Dam Tower complex has been quite comprehensively restored. Within the grounds of the Po Dam tower complex, auxiliary facilities such as gardens and exhibition halls have been built and are well maintained by Binh Thuan province to meet tourists’ needs.
Here, the Cham (Brahman) people of the region often organize very unique religious activities and festivals such as the Exorcism Ceremony, the Rain Prayer Ceremony, the Katê Festival, and more. Most notable is the Po Dam Festival, held every three years in accordance with local customs, attracting large numbers of locals and tourists.
Linga and Yoni symbols in Cham culture.
According to the Cham people, the Po Dam Festival is a prayer for peace (Yôr yang). This festival aims to pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and prosperity for the villagers. In addition, it is a festival that commemorates the contributions of ancestors and deities to national peace and prosperity.
The Po Dam Festival takes place at the beginning of the fourth month of the Cham calendar (July in the Gregorian calendar). The festival officially lasts two days and one night, including rituals according to Cham customs. In addition, the festival is an opportunity for the young men and women of Lac Tri Cham village to perform cultural shows and folk games, creating a colorful picture of Cham culture.
Po Dam Tower
- Address: Lac Tri Village, Lien Huong Commune, Lam Dong Province.
- Open Time: 07:00 – Close Time: 18:00
- Entrance fee: Free
- Best for: solo travelers, students…
Source: collected by An
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