The Po Klong Garai Tower National Special Monument (Do Vinh Ward, Phan Rang – Thap Cham City), one of the unique architectural and artistic works, embodies the proud cultural and historical values of the Cham people. It is currently an attractive destination in Ninh Thuan province.
Overview of Po Klong Garai Tower
Po Klong Garai Tower is the collective name for a complex of magnificent and beautiful Cham towers remaining in Vietnam, located on Trau Hill, in Do Vinh Ward, Khanh Hoa Province. The towers were built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries (during the reign of King Shihavaman, known as Che Man in Vietnamese) to worship King Po Klong Garai (1151-1205), a king who made significant contributions to the country’s governance.
According to Cham historical records, in the year of the Ox (Cham calendar), King Po Klong Garai traveled from Balcribanoi to Panduranga to survey the terrain for the construction of a tower commemorating his humble beginnings. Upon reaching the Balhul region, King Po Klong Garai was stopped by General Hakral, a Cambodian general who governed the area. Not wanting unnecessary bloodshed, King Po Klong Garai challenged the Cambodian general to a tower-building contest; whoever finished first would win. King Po Klong Garai built his tower on Balhla Hill, while General Hakral built his in the Balhul region. Ultimately, King Po Klong Garai’s side, with their superior skill, completed their tower first, and General Hakral was defeated and forced to withdraw his troops.
Every year, the Po Klong Garai tower hosts many important cultural, religious, and spiritual activities of the Cham people. Visiting Po Klong Garai during major festivals such as the New Year’s festival, the rain-praying festival, and especially the Ka Te festival, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant and lively atmosphere of the ceremonial rituals.
This architectural and artistic monument was classified as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture in 1979 and subsequently designated a special national monument by the Prime Minister.
Po Klong Garai Tower Entrance Fees
Below are the details of the entrance fees to this famous historical site.
– Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM daily.
– Entrance fee: 10,000 VND/child and 20,000 VND/adult.
– Electric cart rental fee: 25,000 VND/person/round trip ticket.
Outstanding Architecture
According to researchers, the Po Klong Garai tower complex boasts unique architectural and sculptural art that remains relatively intact, making it one of the most beautiful Cham temples in Vietnam today.
Po Klong Garai Tower is a complex consisting of three towers: the central KaLan tower (20.5m high), the Gopura gate tower (8.56m high), and the fire tower (9.31m high). The auxiliary components of the Po Klong Garai tower complex include: courtyards, gardens, fences, internal roads, gates, tourism and cultural facilities, shrines, architectural ruins, etc.
Throughout the vicissitudes of time, the Po Klong Garai tower has retained its delicate and exquisite features, with its dark red fired bricks bonded together by a special construction technique that remains unexplained to this day.
The reliefs and decorative statues on the tower depict Hindu mythological themes such as images of the god Siva, the divine bull Nandin, and decorative patterns of waves, lotus petals, and twisted leaves… The architecture of the Po Klong Garai tower not only possesses aesthetic beauty but also contains the cultural, historical, and spiritual imprint of the Cham people. This is a vivid testament to the brilliant development of a civilization influenced by Hinduism that existed in the central region of Vietnam.
Festivals at the Tower
Po Klong Garai Tower is not only a magnificent architectural structure but also the site of important traditional festivals of the Cham people. These festivals are not only religious but also an opportunity for the Cham community to express their respect for their ancestors and deities. Every year, the Cham people practice cultural and religious festivals such as Yuer Yang, Katê, Cambur, and Peh Bambeng Yang (opening the tower). In particular, the Katê Festival attracts many domestic and international tourists.
The Katê Festival is the largest and most important festival of the Cham people, held annually at Po Klong Garai Tower in the 7th month of the Cham calendar (approximately September and October in the Gregorian calendar). This festival honors national heroes, commemorates ancestors, and is also an opportunity for the Cham community to express gratitude to the deities who have protected their lives. The Katê festival of the Cham people was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.
At the main temple tower, there is a statue of Mukhalinga-yoni Po Klong Garai, and solemn ceremonies are held. Offerings include fresh flowers, fruits, betel nuts, egg wine, chicken, and goat meat, depending on the family. Important rituals take place at the temple tower, such as opening the tower doors, bathing the statue of the deity, dressing the deity, offering sacrifices, singing, and dancing in celebration.
Source: collected by An
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