Ninh Thuan province has nearly 70,000 Cham people, including around 40,000 Balamon followers.
Poklong
Giarai is a group of Cham temple towers which was built in honor of the
legendary king Po Klaung Garai, who ruled Champa from c.1285 to 1307
A.D.
The
towers were constructed during the early 14th century during the reign
of King Jaya Simhavarman III, and are thus classified as belonging to
the Pô Klông Garai or Late style of Cham architecture (14th-17th
centuries).
The
complex was built on the site of an earlier temple and originally
comprised six towers: a main tower at the centre and five lesser towers,
all facing eastward. However, the two towers in the south west and
north east respectively have long since fallen into ruin. The main tower
was dedicated to revered local King Pô Klông who, according to legend,
won a contest with Prince Pô Đam to see who could construct a temple in
the shortest time.
All
four remaining towers were extensively renovated by Polish conservation
agency PKZ in the period 1981-1990 and are now in the care of local
experts. Particularly noteworthy are the central kalan, with its
intricate decoration and elegant roof towers, and the mandapa, with its
horse-saddle shaped roof. During numerous excavations at the site a
number of gold and silver bowls have been found. Each year during the
8th and 9th lunar months (September-October) this temple complex is one
of the most important venues for the ceremonies of the Kate (Chăm New
Year) Festival.
The Kate festival in photos: