Another Temples in Central Java

Not just Borobudur n Prambanan, Indonesia still has another temples which is located in Central Java. I will present a little informations and pictures about some of these temples

1. CANDI KALASAN (Kalasan Temple)
Candi Kalasan, also known as Candi Kalibening is Buddhist temple located 13 km east of Yogyakarta on the way to Prambanan temple, on the south side of the main road 'Jalan Solo' between Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Initially constructed during the late 8th century. The design of Candi Kalasan underwent a considerable number of changes during the remainder of Central Java's Classic Age. One notable feature of the temple is its octagon-shaped roof, which featured carved images of the Tathagatas facing the four cardinal points, each of which was flanked by a pair of Bodhisattvas in bas-relief. It has been suggested that the Bodhisattva serial on the upper part of Kalasan represent the famous Eight Great Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism.

According to a Kalasan inscription dated 778 AD, written in Sanskrit using Pranagari Script, the temple was erected by the will of Guru Sang Raja Sailendravamçatilaka (the Jewel of Sailendra family) that succeed to persuade Maharaja Tejapurnapana Panangkaran (in other part of the inscription also called as Kariyana Panangkaran) to construct a holy building for the goddess (boddhisattvadevi) Tara and also build a vihara (monastery) for buddhist monks from Sailendra family's realm. Panangkaran awarded the Kalaça village to sangha (buddhist monastic community). According to the date of this inscription, Kalasan temple is the oldest among temples built in the Prambanan Plain

2. CANDI SEWU (Sewu Temple)

Candi Sewu is a complex of approximately 257 temples located in Central Java. The Javanese translation of Sewu is “one thousand temples,” although this was probably never the case. Part of the Prambanan tourist destination area, Sewu is located in Bugisan Village, approximately 800 kilometers north of Prambanan and only 2 kilometers to the north of the Prambanan Temple.

The Sewu historic area is nestled in a valley between the northern Merapi volcano and southern Sewu mountain range at the Yogikarta border. Sewu is the second largest Buddhist temple in the cental part of Java and its proximity to the Hindu Prambanan Temple seems to indicate a harmonius co-existence of Hindu and Buddhist followers throughout history in this area. A large number of other archeological sites surround the area.

The eighth century Sewu Temple compound is believed to have been a Royal Buddhist Temple and important religious area at the end of the rule of Rakai Pikitan, a Sanjaya Dynasty prince who married the Buddhist princess, Pramodwahardani of the Sailendra Dynasty. Also an important urban area and political domain during the mid-700′s AD, the temple complex is currently being restored after suffering significant damage from an earthquake in 2006. The main temple has been restored to prevent its collapse and is off limits to tourists due to safety concerns

Historians and archeologists believe that the Sewu temple was originally named “Manjusrighra”, meaning “The House of Manjusri,” translated from an inscription dating from 792 AD. Manjusri is a Boddhisatva or “enlightened being” in Buddhist teachings who is the incarnation of wisdom. A Boddhistva is one who self-denies the pleasure of nirvana or divine enlightenment in order to assist others in the achievement of an enlightened state. Manjusri is represented in illustrations with a book in one hand and a sword in the other to symbolize qualities of intelligence and harmony by cutting the bonds of ignorance. He is one of the more important dieties being defined as a spiritual friend, in addition to both mother and father to other Boddhisatvas.

The buildings within the complex are arranged in a Mandala or circular pattern to assist in the enlightenment of those who meditate within its walls. Mahadeva is the largest central temple, which faces east and is surrounded by four rings of smaller temples. These smaller temples are temples of the Gods. The main temple has five rooms and nine roofs each forming a stupa or dome at their crest

3. CANDI MENDUT (Mendut Temple)Mendut is a ninth century Buddhist temple, located in Mendut village, Mungkid sub-district, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia . The temple is located about three kilometres east from Borobudur . Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. There is a mutual religious relationship between the three temples, although the exact ritual process is unknown.

Built around early ninth century AD, Mendut is the oldest of the three temples including Pawon and Borobudur. The Karangtengah inscription, the temple was built and finished during the reign of King Indra of Sailendra dynasty. The inscription dated 824 AD mentioned that King Indra of Sailendra has built a sacred building named Venuvana which means "bamboo forest". Dutch archaeologist JG de Casparis has connected the temple mentioned in Karangtengah inscription with Mendut temple.

In 1836 it was discovered as a ruins covered with bushes. The restoration of this temple was started at 1897 and it was finished at 1925. Some archaeologists who had conducted research on this temple were JG de Casparis, Theodoor van Erp, and Arisatya Yogaswara.

Today, during the full moon in May or June, Buddhist in Indonesia observeVesak annual ritual by walking from Mendut passing through Pawon and ends at Borobudur.

3. CANDI SARI (Sari Temple)Candi Sari (also named Candi Bendah) is a Buddhist temple located at Dusun (hamlet) Bendan, Tirtomartani village, Kalasan, Sleman regency,Yogyakarta. It is located about 130 meters north east from Kalasan temple. This temple was a two story building with wooden beams, floors, stairs completed with windows and doors; all from organic materials which now are decayed and gone. It is strongly suggested that the original function of this building was a vihara (Buddhist Monastery), a dwelling place for Monks. The temple's name Sari or Saré translated as "to sleep" in Javanese also confirmed the habitation nature of the building.

Historians suggested that this temple built around the same time with Kalasan temple. The Kalasan inscript dated 778 AD, pranagari script written in sanskrit, mentioned about the temple was erected by the will of Guru Sang Raja Sailendravamçatilaka (the Jewel of Sailendra family) that succeed to persuade Maharaja Tejapurnapana Panangkaran(in other part of the inscription also called as Kariyana Panangkaran) to construct a holy building for the goddess (boddhisattvadevi) Tara and also build a vihara (monastery) for Buddhist monks from Sailendra family's realm. Panangkaran awarded the Kalaça village to sangha (Buddhist monastic community). Based from this inscription, candi Sari probably served as monastery for monks served the Buddhist temple dedicated for Tara (Kalasan temple) nearby.

The ruins were discovered in early 20's, and in 1929, the effort to reconstruct the temple began and finished in 1930. However it was incomplete because many parts are missing including outer base that surrounds the temple, also the extended front room and front stairs that once projected from the east wall of the temple.

4.CANDI PLAOSAN (Plaosan Temple)Candi Plaosan, also known as the 'Plaosan Complex', is one of the Buddhist temples located in Bugisan village, Prambanan district, Central Java, Indonesia. Candi Plaosan covers an area of 2,000 square meters with an elevation of 148 meters above sea level. The Dengok river is located nearby, about 200 meters away. Candi Plaosan is surrounded by paddy fields along with vegetation such as banana and corn.
The temple was built by Rakai Pikatan for his empress, has some uniqueness compared to other temples. The two main temples are "twins" as well as a terrace with a smooth surface. In this temple there are also figures Vajrapani, Amitbha, and Prajnaparamitha.
The Plaosan complex is an ensemble of two Buddhist temples, Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul. The temples are separated by a road; Plaosan Lor is located in the North and Plaosan Kidul in the South. Plaosan Lor consists of two main temples and an open area known as a mandapa. Both temples have an entrance, a gate, and the guardian statue known as Dwarapala. Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul are considered to originally be one complex.

5. CANDI PAWON (Pawon Temple)

Pawon (known locally as Candi Pawon) is a Buddhist temple in Central Java, Indonesia. Located between two other Buddhist temples, Borobudur (1.75 km (1 mi) to the northeast) and mendut (1.15 km (1 mi) to the southwest), Pawon is connected with the other two temples, all of which were built during the Sailendra dynasty (8th–9th centuries).Examines the detail and style of its carving this temple is slightly older than Borobudur.

The three temples were located on a straight line, suggesting there was a symbolic meaning that binds these temples.

"Between Mendut and Borobudur stands Pawon temple, a jewel of Javanese temple architecture. Most probably, this temple served to purify the mind prior to ascending Borobudur."

The original name of this Buddhist shrine is uncertain. Pawon literally means "kitchen" in Javanese, which is derived from the root word awu or dust. The connection to the word "dust" also suggests that this temple was probably built as a tomb or mortuary temple for a king.^[3]. Pawon from the word Per-awu-an (place that contains dust), a temple that houses the dust of cremated king. However who was the personage that entombed here is still unknown. Local people name this temple as "Bajranalan" based on the name of the village. Bajranalan is derived from the sanskrit word Vajra (thunder or also a Buddhist ceremonial tool) and Anala (fire, flame).

In the contemporary era during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak annual ritual by walking from Mendut passing through Pawon and ends at Borobudur.

6. CANDI SAMBISARI (Sambisari Temple)Sambisari is a 9th century Hindu temple located at Sambisari hamlet, Purwomartani village, Kalasan, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia . The temple was buried about five metres underground. Parts of the original temple have been excavated . The temple is located about 8 km east of Yogyakarta near Adisucipto International Airport.

The temple was accidentally discovered in July 1966 by a farmer when working on land that belongs to Karyowinangun. His hoe hit the carved stone which was a part of the buried temple ruins.The news of discovery reached the Archaeology office in Prambanan and the area was secured. The excavation and reconstruction works was completed in March 1987. The temple is thought to have been buried by an eruption of volcanic ash from the nearby Mount Merapi.

The discovery of Sambisari temple probably was the most exciting archaeological findings in Yogyakarta in recent years, leading to speculation about whether there are other ancient temples still underground in the vicinity, buried under Mount Merapi volcanic ash.

Based on the architecture style and ornaments of the building that resembles those on Prambanan, the findings of Hindu statues around the temple walls, and the lingga-yoni inside the main temple; historians concluded that Sambisari was a Shivaite Hindu temple built around first or second decade of 9th century (circa 812-838). This conclusion was supported by the findings of gold plate in vicinity engraved with letters that according to paleography was used in early 9th century ancient Java.

According to Wanua tengah inscription III dated 908 that contains the name of kings that ruled Mataram kingdom, the temple was probably built during the reign of Rakai garung (ruled 828-846). However, historians also consider that the construction of a temple was not always issued by a king. Lesser nobles might have also ordered and funded the construction.

7. CANDI GEDONG SONGO (Gedong Songo Temle)

This is a resort on the slope of mount Ungaran, about 900 meters above sea level. Gedong Songo (nine buildings), a group of small 8th century Hindu Javanese temples, can be reached either by car or on horseback from the town. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully sited temple complexes in Central Java and the views alone are worth the trip. Gedung Songo ('Nine Buildings') belong to the earliest antiquities of Java, they follow up the temples on the Dieng Plateau directly, for what about time. They were also built high in the mountains in an area full with volcanic activity; and they were also from Hinduist origin. But where the temples on Dieng Plateau are somewhat squeezed into a foggy valley, Gedung Songo are spread over the higher parts of the mountains, which guarantee a splendid view. On clear days, the horizon is one long row of volcanoes, from mount Lawu in the east, towards mount Sumbing, mount Sundoro and Dieng Plateau in the west.

The temples were built between 730 and 780, the first temple excepted, which could have been built some 30 years later. Gunung Songo is not the original name and also doesn't point at the number of structures. The number nine has a special meaning in the Javanese culture, in which there is a strong attachment to numbers. The temples are located at about the same distance from each other (100 meters, 200 meters) on a naturally formed terrace of edge of a mountain. (source : indonesia-tourism.com)

8. CANDI SUKUH (Sukuh Temple)Sukuh temple is located in Berjo Village, Argoyoso district, in the slope of mount Lawu 35 Km east of Solo at a height about 910 m above sea level. The temple stretches from the east to the west with the main gate in the west. Sukuh Temple is decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, the only erotic temple in Java. The stepped pyramid is like the ones in South America of the Maya culture. The temples are distinctive compared with other ancient temples in Central Java such as Borobudur and Prambanan, and its uniqueness lies in the landscaping, statuettes, and relief. The temples occupy an 11,000m2 area and consist of three terraces, each connected with an ascending alley. The most influential part is the last terrace, at the very back of the compound. At this very sacred area, once erected a homogenous phallic statue, which is now displayed at the National Museum, Jakarta. Another interesting and controversial factor of this historical site is the artistic relief on its floor, which depict male and female organs symbolizing the birth of life. This kind of construction is common in prehistoric time, especially in the megalithic era of pundan berundak (terrace grave). The temple consist of three terraces, the first terrace is the lowest level, followed by the second and the third above it. The terrace are connected with stairs to each other, each of it has an entrance gate. The temple has believed to be constructed in the 15th century during the declining years of Majapahit Empire. The relief found beside the first gate are believed had mean (sengkalan) reads Gapura Buta Aban Wong and Gapura Buta Anahut Bubut, meaning the year of 1359 saka or 1437 AD. (source : indonesia-tourism.com)