Minggu, 18 Januari 2015

Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia


Prambanan Temple or Temple of Loro Jonggrang is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, which was built in the 9th century BC. This temple is dedicated to Trimurti, the three main Hindu gods Brahma as the creator god, the god Vishnu as preserver, and Shiva as the god of destruction. Based Shivagrha inscription original name of this temple complex is Siwagrha (Sanskrit which means 'House of Shiva'), and indeed in garbagriha (main hall) of the temple sits a statue of Shiva Mahadeva three meters high which shows that in this temple of Lord Shiva is preferred.

The temple complex is located in the district of Prambanan Prambanan sub-district of Sleman and Klaten,  is approximately 17 kilometers northeast of Yogyakarta, 50 kilometers southwest of Surakarta and 120 kilometers south of Semarang, exactly on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta. [2] It is very unique, Prambanan temple is located in the administrative area Bokoharjo village, Prambanan, Sleman, while the entrance of the Prambanan temple complex located in the administrative region Tlogo village, Prambanan, Klaten.

This temple is including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and one of the most beautiful temples in Southeast Asia. The architecture of the building is tall and slender shaped according to the Hindu architecture in general with the Shiva temple as the main temple has reached a height of 47 meters towering in the middle of the complex cluster of temples are smaller.  As one of the grandest temples in Southeast Asia, Prambanan temple the main attraction of the tourist arrivals worldwide.
According Shivagrha inscription, this temple was built around the year 850 AD by Rakai Pikatan, and continue to be developed and expanded by Balitung Maha Sambu, in the kingdom of Mataram Medang.

Prambanan name, derived from the name of the village where the temple stands, believed to be the change of the name of the Java language dialect of the Brahman Hindu theology term meaning "the Supreme Brahman" is Brahman or the highest and greatest eternal reality that can not be described, which is often equated with the concept of God in Hinduism. Another opinion considers the Brahman may refer to the heyday of this temple which formerly filled by the brahmins. Another opinion put forward the notion that the name "Prambanan" comes from the root word in Javanese mban bear or bear meaningful tasks, refer to the Hindu gods that the task of organizing and running the harmony of the universe.

The original name of this Hindu temple complex is the name of Sanskrit; Siwagrha (House of Shiva) or Siwalaya (Natural Shiva), based Shivagrha inscription which bertarikh 778 Saka (856 AD). Trimurti glorified in this temple complex with three main temples glorified Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. But Shiva Mahadeva who occupy the main hall in the temple god Shiva is most glorified in this temple complex.

The Temple Complex

Architectural model reconstruction Prambanan temple complex, there are 240 temples originally stood in this complex.

The entrance to this building complex located at the four corners of the wind direction, but the direction toward this building is to the east, the main entrance of this temple is the eastern gate. Prambanan temple complex consists of:

  •      3 Trimurti temple: the temple of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma
  •      3 Temple Forum: Nandi temple, Garuda, and Geese
  •      2 Temple Apit: located between rows of temples and temples Trinity rides on the north side and   the south
  •      4 Temple Kelir: located in four directions of the compass just inside the entrance to the inner courtyard or the core zone
  •      4 Temple Stakes: located in the 4 corners of the pages or the core zone
  •      224 ancillary temples: 4 rows are arranged in concentric with the number of temples from the innermost to the outermost row: 44, 52, 60, and 68

So there are a total of 240 temples in the complex of Prambanan.

Originally there were 240 large and small temples at Prambanan temple complex. [13] But now only 18 temples; The main temple is 8 and 8 small temple in the core zone and two ancillary temples. Many ancillary temples have not been restored, of 224 perwara only 2 that have been restored, leaving only a pile of stones scattered about. Prambanan temple complex consists of three zones; The first is the outer zone, the central zone is composed of hundreds of temples, the third is in a zone which is the zone of the main temple is the holiest place eight and eight small temples.

Prambanan temple complex cross section of the plan is based on the square yan land consists of three sections or zones, each page of this zone is restricted andesite stone wall. The outer zone is marked by a fence square each side along the 390 meters, with the orientation of the Northeast - Southwestern. Unless the remaining southern gate, another gate and wall sections of this temple has many missing. The function of the outside of this page is not known; possibility is sacred park land, or dormitory complex Brahmin and his disciples. Perhaps the first building that stood in the outer courtyard is made of wood, so it is obsolete and no remaining destroyed.

Prambanan temple is one of the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia in addition to Angkor Wat. Three main temple called the Trine and Trine dedicated kepadantiga main gods: Shiva the Destroyer, Vishnu the Preserver and Brahma the Creator. Shiva in this temple complex is preferred and more exalted than the other two gods Trimurti. Shiva temple as well as the main building of the largest and highest, 47 meters tall.
Shiva temple
Shiva temple, the main temple at Prambanan temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Durga Mahisasuramardini in the northern area of the Shiva temple.

Pages in the zone is the most sacred temple complex of the three zones. The court of elevated surface and confined berdenah square stone fence with four gates in the four directions of the compass. In this sand berpermukaan page there are eight main temple; namely the three main temple called Trimurti temple ("three states"), dedicated to the three supreme Hindu gods: Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer.

Shiva temple as the main temple is the largest building in the temple complex at once centipede Rara Jonggrang, measuring 47 meters high and 34 meters wide. Mastaka peak or peak temple is crowned modified diamond shape symbolizes Vajra or thunderbolt. This is a form of Vajra sandingan Hindu version of waterless stupas found in Buddhist temples. Shiva temple surrounded by a gallery hallway decorated with which tells the story of the Ramayana; engraved on a wall inside the balustrade. At the top of the balustrade is fenced ranks are also shaped pinnacles Vajra. To follow the story in this order, visitors must enter from the east side, then do pradakshina which revolves around the temple according clockwise. The Ramayana story continued to Brahma temple.

Shiva temple in the middle, contains five rooms, one room in each direction of the wind and the garbagriha, the main and largest room is located in the center of the temple. Eastern room connected to the main room where dwells a statue of Shiva Mahadeva (Shiva as the Supreme Deity embodiment) as high as three meters. This statue has Lakçana (attribute or symbol) of Shiva, which chandrakapala (skull above the crescent), jatamakuta (crown majesty), and Trinetra (third eye) on his forehead. This statue has four arms that hold the attributes of Shiva, as aksamala (rosary), camara (horse tail hair fly repellent), and trident. This statue wearing upawita (rope caste) in the form of a serpent (cobra). Shiva depicted wearing a loincloth of a tiger skin, depicted with carved head, paws, and tail of a tiger on his thighs. Most historians beranggapa that this is a manifestation of Shiva statue Balitung king as god Shiva, as his posthumous statue pedharmaan. So when the king's death, his soul is considered reunited with god penitisnya namely Shiva. [14] This Mahadeva Shiva statue standing on a lotus pedestal atop a square foundation yoni-shaped engraved on its northern side of the serpent (cobra).

Three other smaller space saving statues smaller size associated with Shiva. In the southern area there Rishi Agastya, Ganesha son of Shiva in the west, and in the north there is a statue sacred or Shiva's wife, Durga Mahisasuramardini, depicts Durga as repellent Mahisasura, giant ox attacking Swargaloka. Durga is also referred to as Rara Jonggrang (slender virgin) by the locals. This image is associated with the legendary figure Rara Jonggrang daughter.
Candi Brahma and Vishnu Temple

Two other temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is located on the north side and the other dedicated to Brahma, which is located on the south side. The second temple faces east and only one room, which is dedicated to the gods. Brahma temple statues of Brahma and Vishnu temple statues of Vishnu, measuring almost 3 meters high. Brahma and Vishnu temple size is the same, which is 20 meters wide and 33 meters high.

Temple Forum
Garuda temple, one of the temples rides

Right in front of the temple there are three temples Trimurti smaller than Brahma and Vishnu temples dedicated to the vehicle or the vehicle's gods; Shiva rides the bull Nandi, the vehicle Goose Brahma, Vishnu and the Garuda vehicle. The temples of this vehicle is located right in front of god rider. In front of the Shiva temple there Nandi temple, in which there is a statue of Nandi bull. On the wall behind the statue of Nandi is on the left and right flanking the statue of the moon god Chandra and Surya the sun god. Chandra is depicted standing on 10 horse-drawn carriages, while Surya standing on a horse-drawn carriage 7. [15] Right there in front of the temple of Brahma temple Geese. This temple is empty and there is no swan statue in it. Maybe once residing Goose as vehicle of Brahma statue in it. In front of the temple there is a Vishnu temple dedicated to Garuda, but the same as goose temple, in this temple not found the statue of Garuda. Probably the first statue of Garuda ever existed in this temple. Until now Garuda became an important symbol in Indonesia, namely as the state emblem of Garuda Pancasila.
Temple Apit, Kelir Temple, and Temple Stakes

In the sixth line of the main temples there are Apit temple. Apit temple is almost the same size with the size of the ancillary temples, which is 14 meters high with a footprint plan 6 x 6 meters. Besides the 8 main temple there are small temple in the form of a small temple which probably functions like pelinggihan in Bali Hindu temple cymbals or a place to put the offerings, as well as the facade in front of the entrance. This small temples namely; 4 Temple Kelir on the four corners of the wind in front of the entrance, and 4 Temple Stakes at each corner. Kelir Temple and Temple Stakes without a ladder-shaped miniature temple with a height of about 2 meters.
ancillary temples

Two walls that confine berdenah square in two pages, arranged in accordance with the orientation of the four winds. The second wall of a length of 225 meters on each side. In between these two walls is the second page or second zone. The second zone consists of 224 ancillary temples arranged in four concentric rows. Temples are built on the four steps of the terraces are more into the middle bit higher. Four lines of the temples are smaller than the main temple. The temples are called "ancillary temples" that temple or temple guards complementary. Ancillary temples arranged in four rows of concentric inner line consists of 44 temples, 52 temples second row, third row 60 temples, and the fourth line at the same time the outer row consists of 68 temples.

Each ancillary temples, measuring 14 meters high with a footprint plan 6 x 6 meters, and the total number of ancillary temples on this page is 224 temples. All of these ancillary temples have one staircase and entrance in the direction toward the main, except 16 temples in the corner which has two staircases and two entrances facing outwards.  If most of the roof of the temple in the core zone of the page in the form of Vajra, the roof Charles ancillary temples symbolizing shaped jewel.

Originally there were many temples in these pages, but only a few have been restored. Perwara shape is designed uniforms. Historians suspect that the temples are financed and built by local authorities as a sign of devotion and dedication to the king. While there is an argument that links perwara four lines represent the four castes, and the only people that caste members are allowed to enter and worship in it; row entered into only by the Brahmins, next to the outermost row is row temple to kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. While others assume there is no relation between perwara and four castes. Rows perwara possibility used for worship, or a place for meditation (meditation) for the pastor and his flock.

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