The Po Klong Garai Towers is located on Trau Hill, approximately 9km northwest of Phan Rang � Thap Cham Town, near Thap Cham Railway Station in Ninh Thuan Province. The towers consist of four towers, which remain from a group of six towers constructed in the late 13th century and early 14th century. The towers were built to worship King Po Klong Garai, who did great service to the country and people (according to the legend, he suffered from leprosy). The king is hailed by the Cham people as the God of Water. Over the entrance to the largest tower (the kalan, or sanctuary) is a carving of a dancing Shiva with six arms. This bas-relief is known locally as Po Klaun Tri – The Guardian of the Temple-Tower – and is famous for its beauty. Inside the vestibule is a statue of the bull Nandi (also known as Kapil Ox), symbol of the agricultural productivity of the countryside. Under the main tower is a mukhu-linga, a linga with a painted human face on it. A wooden pyramid has been constructed above the mukha-linga. On the nearby hill is a rock with an inscription from the year 1050 commemorating the erection of a lingar by a Cham prince. The Kate New Year is celebrated at the towers in the seventh month of the Cham calender (around October). The festival commemorates ancestors, Cham national heros and Gods such as goddess Po Ino Nagar who assisted the Chams with their farming. On the eve of the festival, a procession guarded by the mountain people of Tay Nguyen carries King Po Kloong Garai’s clothing to accompaniment of traditional music. The procession lasts until mid-night. The following morning the garments are carried to the tower., once again accompanied by music along with banners, flags, singing and dancing,. Notables, dignitaries and village elders follow behind. This colourful ceremony continues into the afternoon. The Cham’s New Year celebrations then carry on for the rest of the month as they attend parties and visit friend and relatives. The Cham also use this time to pray for good fortune.
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