Visiting Cham’s Poklongarai Towers in Ninh Thuan Vietnam
01/07/07 (GMT+7)
Visiting Cham’s Poklongarai Towers, about seven kilometers northwest of the center of Phan Rang City in Ninh Thuan Province, Poklongarai Towers, a valuable architectural sculpture and historical work of the Cham ruins, built around the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century, still stand against the devastation of time.
The towers nestled at Trau (Betel) Hill in Do Vinh Ward of Phan Rang were built to worship King Poklongarai (1152-1205) for his good deeds for the Cham people, especially by the construction of the local irrigation system. This architectural complex contains three towers.
Visiting Cham’s Poklongarai Towers, the first one is the Main Tower which is 13.8 meters long, 10.71 meters wide and 20.5 meters high. It was the main site for religious ceremonies. A bust of King Poklongarai was respectfully placed inside the Main Tower for worshiping.
Visiting Cham’s Poklongarai Towers, the second one is the Gate Tower at 5.10 meters long, 4.85 meters wide and 5.65 meters high. This was where the king received his guests. The last one, the Fire Tower, at 8.18 meters long, 5 meters wide and 9.31 meters high, was the kitchen.
These ruins of the Champa culture are classified as a historical monument by the Ministry of Culture.
The Poklongarai Towers play an important role in the spiritual and religious life of the Cham people living in this area nowadays. Every year, they organize their big festivals at the towers to commemorate the king.
(Source: SGT)
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