Vietnam

The Cham Towers of Po Nagar were built between the 7th and 12th Centuries. The site was used for Hindu worship as early as the 2nd Century. Today Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists come to Po Nagar to pray and make offerings according to their respective traditions. The Cham people are an ethnic group living in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. In Vietnam, their population of approximately 100,000 and is centered on the cities of Phan Rang and Phan Thiet in central Vietnam.

All of us are climbing the steps to the towers.

Stone slabs scattered throughout the complex, most of which relate to history or religion, and provide insight into the spiritual life and social structure of the Cham.

Worshiping area where the Cham used to make their prayers and then they have to climb the steep steps (middle of the picture) on their hands and knees.

The smooth part of the colums have been re-polish in recent years. The part that are left untouched are rugged and ravage by weather and time.

Eight Po Nagar Cham Towers were built on Cu Lao Marble Hill. The largest of the four remaining towers was built in honor of Po Nagar, also known as Lady Thien Y-ana or the Goddess Mother. She spent part of her life teaching weaving and agricultural techniques.

The remaining towers were dedicated to different gods: the central tower to Cri Cambhu, the north-west tower to Sandhaka and the south tower to Ganeesh. Not only are the towers famous for their architecture and sculpture, but also for their great significance in terms of history, nationalism and archaeology.

South tower dedicated to Ganesh.

Shoes are not allowed in the temple so people had to remove them...

After I removed my shoes I walked inside the largest of the five towers. The air was heavy and filled with smoke and burned incense. The wall are black from years of soot. Needless to say, I walked out of the room within a few seconds, I just could not breathe.

After we finished visiting the towers there is a little souvenir shop and museum. This lady made picture out of natural colored sand (red, brown, white, yellow etc..)

It takes her about 3 days to finish this glass and she is selling it for $10.

She used sticks, tooth pick and spoon to fill her design. Our group brought a bunch of stuff from her.

Next... Hon Trong