Po Nagar, Hindu temple complex in Nha Trang, Vietnam
Po Nagar is a temple complex on a hill overlooking the Cai River mouth in the city of Nha Trang in Vietnam. The central tower rises above three other smaller buildings, all with red brick rooftops and stone doorframes decorated with reliefs of dancers and deities.
The Cham civilization founded this site in the 7th century as a sanctuary for the goddess Yan Po Nagar. Later rulers expanded the complex over the following centuries, adding more towers and altars.
The local community calls this temple "Tháp Bà," meaning "Lady's Tower," a name heard throughout Nha Trang when people talk about worship and prayer. Visitors today see incense smoke rising from the main shrine where devotees bring flowers and fruit as traditional offerings.
The entrance sits at the foot of the hill stairs leading up to the towers, and visitors should cover shoulders and knees before entering the shrines. Early morning hours offer cooler air and fewer crowds for a quieter visit.
The builders used a technique of interlocking bricks without mortar, allowing the towers to remain stable through precise weight distribution. Archaeologists still try to understand how this method created such lasting structures.
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