Image: 04052023 Ponagar Hindu temples complex, Nha Trang Vietnam - 27

Description: The Po Nagar site is a complex of historic brick temples located atop Mount Cù Lao in the city of Nha Trang, Viet Nam. The complex is ancient and had many Cham Hindu temples. Of these four temples survive. The largest and main temple is the classic Cham tower dedicated to Ponagar – the local name for Uma (Parvati). Next to her temple is the South tower – a temple for Shiva, also called Thap Nam. To further left is the Thap Dong Nam or Southeast tower – a temple for Kartikeya. To the west of the main tower Uma temple is the so-called northwest tower – a temple for Ganesha, or Thap Tay Bac. These temples are active, and the Cham people – a Hindu minority – continue to visit and pray, with some pilgrims arriving here from towns 100s of kilometers away. Every year, from the 21st to the 23rd days of the Third Lunar Month, the Cham people congregate to bathe and clothe the Goddess' statue. This occasion is marked by traditional dances that are festive and holy.
Title: 04052023 Ponagar Hindu temples complex, Nha Trang Vietnam - 27
Credit: Own work
Author: Ms Sarah Welch
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
License: CC0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en
Attribution Required?: No