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Vietnam is famous for being a beautiful country, like a picturesque painting with many different landscapes. On that painting, Thap Po Klong Garai appears as a unique brushstroke, captivating viewers at first glance. The comparison is made because the beauty of this location must be expressed in exquisite words to create a deep impression. If you feel intrigued and want to explore, don't hesitate to refer to the following article from NVK travel.
There is a lot of information related to Thap Po Klong Garai that is not available online. Below, we will compile interesting information surrounding this destination, revealing secrets that have never been disclosed. Note that currently, after the merger, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan have been combined into one with the common name “Khanh Hoa.”
Thap Po Klong Garai (Poklong Garai) is one of the tourist attractions located in Ninh Thuan. Specifically, the tower is situated on Trau Hill, within the territory of Do Vinh Ward, Phan Rang City, Ninh Thuan Province. To the north of the city center, it is about 7 kilometers away. The common name actually refers to a cluster of towers consisting of three parts: the main tower, the gate tower, and the fire tower.
The architecture of the tower leaves a strong impression on tourists with its unique carvings that cannot be found in any other version. Notably, in 1979, this site was recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a national monument (The Prime Minister classified it as a special national monument). According to documents and actual research, the tower was built in the late 13th century and early 14th century. After 800 years, the tower still stands majestically, a testament to the strong “vitality” of ancient Champa culture. In fact, this is also one of the rare remaining complexes of the Cham people.
The surrounding space of Thap Po Klong Garai
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Based on the experiences of many previous travelers, the weather in Ninh Thuan in general and at Thap Po Klong Garai in summer is relatively hot. In addition, there is not much shade from trees around the tower.
For these reasons, if you choose to visit in the morning, you should come here around 8:00 - 9:30. Otherwise, wait until the afternoon from 15:00 - 17:00 to arrive. During these times, the weather is relatively “mild,” with the sun not too harsh or having softened significantly.
Admiring the beauty of the tower from above
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If you start from Phan Rang to Thap Po Klong Garai, it will take about 15 minutes to arrive. Specifically, from the Phan Rang roundabout, tourists should start along Ngo Gia Tu Street, then go straight along National Highway 27 (a new road that appeared after the merger).
If you have passed the Thap Cham overpass, turn left onto Bac Ai Street at the intersection, then go straight past the Cham ethnic culture museum. Here, tourists just need to look to the right to easily see the road leading to the PoKlong Garai tower complex.
Thap Po Klong Garai has a unique design
When visiting Thap Po Klong Garai, you will definitely be intrigued by the legends surrounding this site. The story goes that Jahol (a boy with a strange appearance, ugly and gluttonous) was born into a difficult situation. One day, the appearance of two white dragons transformed Jatol into a handsome, talented young man.
After extraordinary efforts and a “miracle” from heaven, Jatol became the king of Balcriban, taking the title “Po Klong Garai.” However, tragedy soon struck when the homeland of this king was frequently invaded by the Khmer army. Jatol led his troops to stop them, but along the way, he was thwarted by a famous general from Cambodia.
Due to his fearless nature, he challenged the Cambodian general on the ability to build a tower, whoever finished first would win. With his complete intelligence, Jatol won, forcing the Cambodian general to retreat. From then on, his name was given to this tower, making everyone remember him.
The legendary story related to the birth of the tower
The architecture of Thap Po Klong Garai is very special, regarded as a pride of the remaining culture of the Cham people. When you set foot here and look at the structure of the three towers, you cannot help but think that perhaps King Jatol truly received a miracle from the gods to build them.
The gate tower has two doors connected along the East-West axis, about 9 meters high, with many beautiful, intricate, and unique carvings on the surface. This is the place used to welcome guests of the ancient king, and it is also considered a place for organizing ceremonies and offerings.
The gate tower impresses with its exquisite carvings
Going deeper inside from the gate tower, you will see the main tower, regarded as the “breakthrough point” of ancient Champa architecture. Specifically, this tower has a main door facing East, above which are many unique, intricate sculptures depicting the god Siva.
When looking at the supporting pillars of the tower, you will easily notice ancient Cham inscriptions; additionally, the main tower also has three false doors, facing the other three directions, inside which are statues of deities creating a mysterious and unique touch.
Notably, the main tower reaches a height of over 20 meters, constructed in a multi-tiered structure. Every corner of this part of Thap Po Klong Garai is adorned with stone statues of animals and fire symbols. Entering inside the main tower, you will find a shrine for the great king, who contributed to governing the country with the symbol Mukhalinga.
The main tower is built in the image of many deities
The height, length, and width of the fire tower are recorded as 9.31 meters, 8.18 meters, and 5 meters, respectively. This part of Thap Po Klong Garai is located in the South, designed based on Brahman beliefs, constructed in the architectural style typical of traditional Cham houses, rich in Sa Huynh culture.
The curved roof resembling a boat, similar to the roofs of the Central Highlands ethnic groups, adds uniqueness to the fire tower. According to local residents, this is where the king's royal robes were stored, where offerings were made to priests, and where necessary items of the ancient Cham king were kept.
The fire tower represents majesty and enduring cultural value
Every year, numerous interesting festivals take place around Thap Po Klong Garai, attracting countless tourists to participate. These vibrant festivals are created to honor the ancient king Jatol, while also enhancing community cohesion.
This is a festival held in January according to the Cham people's own calendar. In addition, the New Year festival is also seen as a form of opening the Thap Po Klong Garai.
The New Year opening festival attracts the attention of many tourists
For the rain prayer festival, it usually takes place in April each year according to the Cham people's own calendar. As for Chabun, this is a festival of the Father according to the beliefs of this ethnic group.
The rain praying ceremony and Chabun carry profound meanings of life.
This is the largest festival of the Cham people, held in the 7th month of their lunar calendar every year. The Kate Festival lasts for 3 days, with interesting activities including fan dancing, Siva dance,...
The Kate Festival fosters a sense of community among the Cham people.
Through the previous article, all the secrets surrounding the Po Klong Garai tower have been revealed, opening up many fascinating pieces of knowledge that are hard to find when searching for information online. It is not just an ordinary tourist destination; it is also seen as a beautiful cultural symbol of the Cham people. With its complex architecture and unique decorative patterns, anyone who looks at this tower cannot help but be amazed.
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