Candi of Indonesia

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The main Borobudur stupa.
The main Borobudur stupa.

Candi (IPA: [tʃændiː]) are Hindu and Buddhist temples or sanctuaries in Indonesia, most of which were built between the 8th to the 15th centuries.

Contents

[edit] Candi of Java

Quote: Between the 7th and 15th centuries, hundred of religious structures were constructed of brick and stone in Java, Sumatra and Bali. These are called candi. The term refers to other pre-Islamic structures including gateways and even bathing places, but its principal manifestation is the religious shrine.[1]

[edit] Borobudur & Kedu Plain

Buddha in an open stupa, Borobudur
Buddha in an open stupa, Borobudur

The Kedu Plain lies to the north west of Yogyakarta and west of Gunung Merapi and south west of Magelang, in Central Java

  • Borobudur. 9th century Buddhist monument, reportedly the world's largest. Seven terraces to the top represent the steps from the earthly realm to Nirvana. Reliefs of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Candi Pawon. 8th century Buddhist temple believed to be dedicated to Kuvera, god of wealth.

[edit] Slopes of Gunung Merapi

Western Slopes

  • Sengi complex. Three temples, Candi Asu, Candi Pendem and Candi Lumbung, on the side of Mount Merapi. 8th and 9th century. The base of the temple has a climbing plant motif.

Southern Slopes

  • Candi Candi
  • Candi Morangan

Eastern Slopes

  • Candi Lawang

[edit] Near Yogyakarta

North west

  • Candi Canggal. 8th century Buddhist complex. A main sanctuary and several smaller temples.

East

  • Candi Sambisari. 10th century underground Hindu temple buried by eruptions from Mount Merapi for a century. Discovered in 1966 by a farmer plowing his field.

East of Borobudur

  • Gunung Sari. Ruins of three secondary temples and the foot of the main temple remain.
  • Gunung Wukir. One of the oldest inscriptions on Java, written in 732 CE, found here. Only the bases remain of the main sanctuary and three secondary temples.
  • Candi Ngawen. Five aligned sanctuaries, one decorated with finely sculpted lions. 8th century, during the transformation from Hinduism to Buddhism.

[edit] Dieng Plateau

Main article: Dieng Plateau

Near Wonosobo, Central Java

Eight small Hindu temples from the 7th and 8th centuries, the oldest in Central Java. Surrounded by craters of boiling mud, colored lakes, caves, sulphur outlets, hot water sources and underground channels.

[edit] Gedong Songo

South-west of Semarang, Central Java

Five temples constructed in 8th and 9th centuries. The site highlights how, in Hinduism, location of temples was as important as the structures themselves. The site has panoramas of three volcanoes and Dieng Plateau.

[edit] Klaten Regency

East of Yogyakarta, Central Java

  • Candi Merak. Two 10th century Hindu temples, rich in reliefs and decorations, in the middle of a village.
  • Candi Karangnongko. Difficult to date because remains are few.

[edit] Mount Lawu

Near Surakarta, Central Java

  • Candi Ceto. On the slopes of Mount Lawu. A 15th century Hindu temple 1470m above sea level.

[edit] Prambanan Plain

The Prambanan temple complex
The Prambanan temple complex

East of Yogyakarta

  • Roro Jonggrang, the main Prambanan complex. 9th century Hindu temple called the "Slender Maiden". Main temple dedicated to Shiva flanked by temples to Visnu and Brahma. Reliefs depict Ramayana stories.

North of main Prambanan complex

  • Candi Sewu. Buddhist temple complex, older than Roro Jonggrang. A main sanctuary surrounded by many smaller temples. Well preserved guardian statues, replicas of which stand in the central courtyard at the Jogja Kraton.
  • Candi Lumbung. Buddhist-style, consisting of one main temple surrounded by 16 smaller ones.
  • Candi Plaosan. Buddhist, probably 9th century. Thought to have been built by a Hindu king for his Buddhist queen. Two main temples with reliefs of a man and a woman. Slender stupa.

South of main Prambanan complex

  • Arca Bugisan. Seven Buddha and bodhisattva statues, some collapsed, representing different poses and expressions.
  • Candi Sajiwan. Buddhist temple decorated with reliefs concerning education. The base and staircase are decorated with animal fables.

West of main Prambanan complex

  • Candi Sari. Once a sanctuary for Buddhist priests. 8th century. Nine stupas at the top with two rooms beneath, each believed to be places for priests to meditate.
  • Candi Kalasan. 8th century Buddhist temple built in commemoration of the marriage of a king and his princess bride, ornamented with finely carved reliefs.
  • Candi Gana. Rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones. Frequent representations of children or dwarfs with raised hands. Located in the middle of housing complex. Under restoration since 1997.
  • Candi Kedulan. Discovered in 1994 by sand diggers, 4m deep. Square base of main temple visible. Secondary temples not yet fully excavated.

[edit] Ratu Boko & surrounds

The gate of Ratu Boko Palace compound.
The gate of Ratu Boko Palace compound.

East of Yogyakarta and south of Prambanan

  • Ratu Boko Built between 8th and 9th centuries. Mixed Buddhist and Hindu style. Partially restored palace auditorium. Ruins of the royal garden with a bathing pool inside.

South of Ratu Boko

  • Arca Gopolo. A group of seven statues in a circle, as if in assembly. Flower decoration on the clothes of the largest are still visible.
  • Candi Banyunibo. A small 9th century Buddhist complex. A main temple surrounded by six smaller ones forming a stupa. Originally part of a much larger Buddhist site. Recently restored.
  • Candi Barong. Two almost identical temples on terraces. Believed to be 9th century Hindu and part of a sacred complex, of which they were the crown.
  • Dawangsari. Perhaps the site of a destroyed Buddhist stupa, now reduced to an array of andesite stones.
  • Candi Ijo. A complex of three-tiered temples, but only one has been renovated. A main sanctuary and three secondary shrines with statues. Still under reconstruction.
  • Watugudig. A group of pole sittings in the shape of a Javanese gong. About 40 have been discovered, but others may remain buried. Locals believe this to be the resting place of King Boko.

South-west of Ratu Boko

  • Candi Abang. Actually a well that looks like a pyramid with very tall walls. In some aspects looks like Borobudur. Unique atmosphere.
  • Candi Gampingan. Ruins 1.5m underground of a temple and stairs. Reliefs of animals at the foot of the temple are believed to be a fable.
  • Sentono. At the base of Abang temple. Perhaps younger than other regional temples. Complex of caves with two mouths. Statue and bas-relief in left chamber.
  • Situs Payak. The best preserved bathing place in Central Java. 5m below ground. Thought to be Hindu.

[edit] West Java

  • Candi Cangkuang. one of the few surviving West Java's Hindu monument at Leles, Garut, West Java. Located on an island in the middle of a lake covered by water lilies. Shiva statue faces east toward the sunrise. Date uncertain.
  • Candi Batu Jaya. a compound of Buddhist Stupa made from red brick and mortar located at Batu Jaya, Karawang, West Java. Probably dated back to Tarumanagara kingdom in 6th century AD.

[edit] Malang area

Malang, East Java

  • Candi Badut. Small Shivaite temple dating from the 8th century.
  • Candi Songgoriti - very similar to Candi Sembrada at Dieng
  • Candi Jago. Late 13th century. Terraces decorated with reliefs in the distinctive (Javanese shadow puppet) style with scenes from the Mahabharata epic and underworld demons.
  • Candi Panataran. East Java's only sizable temple complex, with a series of shrines and pavilions. Constructed 12th through 15th centuries. Believed to be the state temple of the Majapahit Empire.
  • Candi Singosari. Dedicated to the kings of the Singosari Dynasty (1222 to 1292 AD), the precursors of the Majapahit Kingdom, it was built in 1304.
  • Arca Dwarapala.Dedicated to the kings of the Singosari Dynasty (1222 to 1292 AD).

[edit] Tretes & Trowulan areas

East Java

  • Candi Jawi, Tretes. A 13th century funerary temple. Slender Buddhist shrine completed around 1300. Overlooks holy Mount Penanggungan, which has terraced sanctuaries, meditation grottoes and sacred pools, about 80 sites in all. Believed to be the burial site of King Airlangga, who died in 1049.
  • Candi Tikus, Trowulan. Trowulan was once the capital of the Majapahit kingdom, the controller of most of the important ports of the day. Survived thanks to a sophisticated irrigation system. Tikus held run-off water from Mount Penanggungan for sanctification rites. Site also contains parts of the palace gate, entryway and water system.
  • Candi Brahu, Trowulan. Location the temple front of Bubat Area in Majapahit Palace environment (7°32'33.85"S, 112°22'28.01"E). Brahu Temple is a budhis temple, built at 15 a.c and restored during 1990 and was finished during 1995. There was no accurate note the function of the temple.
  • Candi Gentong, Trowulan. Location the temple 350m east of Brahu temple(7°32'38.05"S, 112°22'40.65"E). Many Ceramic from Ming and Yuan Dynasty founded in this temple area. There was no accurate note the function of the temple.
  • Candi Muteran, Trowulan. Location the temple north of Brahu temple ( 7°32'27.72"S, 112°22'29.41"E). There was no accurate note the function of the temple.
  • Kolam Segaran, Trowulan. Segaran pond is Majapahit Heritage (7°33'29.55"S,112°22'57.54"E) The Pond was found during 1926 by Ir.Maclain Pont. First restoration was 1966, finished at 1984. The function of this pond was as the place of recreation and to greet the foreign guest. This was the biggest ancient pond founded in Indonesia.
  • Candi Surawana is a small temple, of the Majapahit Kingdom, located in the Canggu Village of the Kediri (near Pare) district in Java, Indonesia. It was believed to have been built in 1390 AD as a memorial to Wijayarajasa, the Prince of Wengker.

[edit] Candi of Sumatra

[edit] Candi of Kalimantan

  • Candi Agung, Hulu Sungai Utara, South Kalimantan, a Hindu Candi. South Kalimantan was a base of Hindu Kingdom of Negara Dipa, which then inherited by Negara Daha.
  • Candi Laras, Tapin, South Kalimantan, a Buddhist Candi. Buddhist Kingdom in South Kalimantan was represented by the kingdom of Tanjung Puri.

[edit] See also

Indonesia Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ Soekmono, R. "Candi:Symbol of the Universe", pp.58-59 in Miksic, John, ed. Ancient History Volume 1 of Indonesian Heritage Series Archipelago Press, Singapore (1996) ISBN 978-981-3018-26-6

[edit] Further reading

  • Dumarcay, J. 1986 Temples of Java Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press
  • Holt, C. 1967 Art in Indonesia Ithaca: Cornell University
  • Patt, J.A. 1979 The Uses and Symbolism of Water in Ancient Indonesian Temple Architecture University of California, Berkeley (unublished PhD thesis)
  • Prijotomo, J. (1984) Ideas and Forms of Javanese Architecture Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press

[edit] External links