Kewu Plain

Prambanan temple in the center of Prambanan Plain viewed from Ratu Boko Hill.

Kewu Plain, also known as Prambanan Plain or Opak River valley, is a fertile volcanic plain that lies between Merapi-Merbabu complex in the north, Bantul lowlands and Sewu karst limestone range in the south, Bengawan Solo river valley in east, and the Progo River in the west, and Kedu Plain on northwest. It is located within the Yogyakarta Special Region,[1] Sleman Regency, Klaten Regency and Solo City (Central Java).

Historically the area was identified as Mataram, it was the center of both Medang i Bhumi Mataram kingdom in the 8th to 10th centuries, and later Mataram Sultanate in the 16th century. It has been an important location in Central Javanese history and culture for over a millennium, since it contains many ancient archaeological remnants of historic significance. If each temples structure was counted separately, the 9th century Central Java period could be said to have produced thousands of temples, scattered from Shiva (Dieng) Plateau, Kedu Plain to Kewu Plain.[2]

Apart from the Prambanan Lara Jonggrang complex, Kewu Plain, valley and hills around it is the location of some of the earliest Hindu-Buddhist temples in Indonesia. Adjacent to the complex to the north are Bubrah temple, Lumbung temple, and Sewu temple; to the east are found Plaosan temple. Kalasan temple and Sari temple are to the west, and further is the Sambisari temple. The Ratu Boko compounds are on higher ground just to the south. The discoveries of archaeological sites scattered only a few miles away suggested that this area was once an important religious, political, and urban center of central Java. Despite the smaller scale of its temples, the diversity and sophistication of the archaeological sites in this plain are comparable to Angkor archaeological site in Cambodia.

In 2012, the Balai Pelestarian Peninggalan Purbakala Jawa Tengah (BP3) or Central Java Heritage Preservation Authority suggested that the area in and around Prambanan should be treated as sanctuary area. The proposed area is located in Prambanan Plain measured 30 square kilometers spanned across Sleman and Klaten Regency, which includes major temples in the area such as Prambanan, Ratu Boko, Kalasan, Sari and Plaosan temples. The sanctuary area is planned to be treated in similar fashion to Angkor archaeological area in Cambodia, which means government should stop or decline the permit to construct any new buildings, especially the multi-storied buildings, as well as BTS towers in the area. This was meant to protect this archaeologically-rich area from modern day visual obstructions and the encroachments of hotels, restaurants and any tourism-related buildings and businesses.[3]

Agriculture

Javanese women planting rice in a ricefield near Prambanan, Yogyakarta

For centuries Prambanan Plain, overshadowed by Merapi volcano, was known for its rich and fertile volcanic soil perfect for intensive rice cultivation. The economy of Java relied heavily on rice agriculture, and the ancient polity of Central Java, with their complex political, economy and social systems, flourished on this plain.

The images of rice agriculture scenes and activities can be found in bas-reliefs in Borobudur and Prambanan. The early Mataram Kingdom was dependent on rice yields and tax collected from their subjects. Java was famous for rice surpluses and rice export, and rice agriculture contributed to the population growth of the island. Many of the rice paddies in the landscape remains unchanged from the earlier eras.

Archaeological sites

Gallery of temples in Kewu plain

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prambanan plain.

Further reading

Notes

  1. ↑ Indonesia Handbook fourth edition 1988, p. 309 - 17 km north east of Yogyakrta - also Lonely Planet's Indonesia 8th edition 2007, p.190 and 191
  2. ↑ Prambanan and Sewu Exhibition: Safeguarding a Common Heritage of Humanity, 15–24 January 2010, Bentara Budaya Jakarta 2010
  3. ↑ "Prambanan Diusulkan Jadi "Perdikan"". Kompas.com (in Indonesian). 18 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2014.

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