Prambanan

From New World Encyclopedia
Prambanan Temple Compounds*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Prambanan temple complex
State Party Flag of Indonesia Indonesia
Type Cultural
Criteria i, iv
Reference 642
Region** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 1991  (15th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Prambanan constitutes the largest Hindu temple compound in Central Java in Indonesia, and one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia, located approximately eighteen kilometers east of Yogyakarta.[1] UNESCO designated the temple a World Heritage Site. Characterized by tall and pointed architecture, and by the forty seven meter high central building inside a large complex of individual temples, Prambanan exemplifies Hindu temple architecture, .

History

The ruins of Prambanan during early discovery.

Either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty built the temple compound around 850 C.E. Shortly after its construction, Hindu devotes abandoned temple, leading to it deterioration. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918. The main building had been completed in 1953. Much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if craftsmen recover at least 75 percent of the original stones. Only the foundation walls of most of the smaller shrines have been reconstructed with further plans for their reconstruction put on hold.

The earthquake in Java in 2006 damaged the temple. Early photos suggest that although the complex remained structurally intact, significant damage has been inflicted on the building. Large pieces of debris, including carvings, littered the ground. The temple closed to the public at that time. The head of Yogyakarta Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that: "it will take months to identify the precise damage".[2] Some weeks later in 2006 the site re-opened for visitors. The immediate surroundings of the Hindu temples remain off-limits for safety concerns.

Lara Jonggrang complex

This information gives an account of the complex before the 2006 Java earthquake
File:Prambanan Temple Complex Plan.jpg
The reconstructed plan of Prambanan temple complex.

The Prambanan temple complex consists of three zones. A large space marked by a rectangular wall (destroyed) marks the outer zone. The original function remains unknown, possibly a sacred park or priests' boarding school (ashram). The supporting buildings for the temple complex had been made from organic material, consequently no remains exist.

The middle zone consisted of four rows of 224 individual small shrines. Those concentric rows of temples followed identical designs. Each row slightly elevated towards the center. Those shrines, called "Candi Perwara" or complimentary temples, make up the additional buildings of the main temple. Some believe Candi Perwara had been offered to the king as a sign of submission. The Perwara arrange in four rows around the central temples, possibly signifying the four castes, made according to the rank of the people allowed to enter them. Priests only accessed the row nearest to the central compound, while the nobles, the knights, and the simple people respectively accessed the other three. Conversely, the four rows of Perwara may have had nothing to do with four castes, simply serving as meditation place for priests and as worship place for devotees.

The maquette of the Prambanan temple complex.

The central compound represents the holiest zone of the three zones. A square stone wall with stone gates on each four cardinal points surrounds the square elevated platform. The three main shrines, called Trimurti ("three forms"), have been dedicated to the three gods: Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Keeper, and Shiva the Destroyer. That holiest compound has eight main shrines or candi. The other three shrines in front of three main temples have been dedicated to Vahana. Between those rows of main temple, on north and south side, stand two Candi Apit. Beside those eight main temples, eight smaller shrines exist; four Candi Kelir on the four cardinal directions of the entrances, and four Candi Patok on four corners.

The Shiva shrine at the center contains five chambers, four smaller chambers on each cardinal direction and one larger main chamber in central part of the temple. The east chamber connects to central chamber which houses a three meter high statue of Shiva Mahadeva. The statue of Shiva stands on Yoni pedestal that bears the carving of Naga serpents on north side of pedestal. The other three smaller chambers contain statues of Hindu Gods related to Shiva; his consort Durga, the rishi Agastya, and Ganesha, his son. Statue of Agastya occupy the south chamber, the west chamber houses the statue of Ganesha, while the north chamber contains the statue of Durga Mahisasuramardini depicting Durga as the slayer of Bull demon. The shrine of Durga also has been called the temple of Lara Jonggrang (Javanese: slender virgin), after a Javanese legend of princess Lara Jonggrang.

The temple compound.
Main shrine dedicated to Shiva of Prambanan temple complex

The two other main shrines have been dedicated to Vishnu on the north side of Shiva shrine, and Brahma on the south. Both temples face east, each containing only one large chamber, each dedicated to their respective gods; Brahma temple contains the statue of Brahma and Vishnu temple houses the statue of Vishnu. In front of each main temple smaller temples stand on the east side dedicated to the mounts (vahana) of their respective gods: the bull Nandi for Shiva, the gander Angsa for Brahma, and Vishnu's Eagle Garuda. Garuda holds an important role in Indonesia, serving as the national symbol of Indonesia, and the symbol for Garuda Indonesia airline.

The bas-reliefs along the balustrades on the gallery around Shiva and Brahma temple depict the Ramayana legend. They illustrate how Ravana abducted Sita, the wife of Rama. The monkey king Hanuman brings his army to help Rama and rescue Sita. The Ramayana Ballet regularly performs this myth on a full moon at Trimurti open air theater in west side of the illuminated Prambanan complex. On the balustrades in Vishnu temple series of bas-relief depict the story of lord Krishna.

The legend

Map showing Central Java within Indonesia

The popular legend of Lara Jonggrang connects the site of Ratu Boko Palace, the origin of Durga statue in northern cella/chamber of the main shrine, and the origin of Sewu temple complex nearby. The legend tells the story of how Prince Bandung Bondowoso fell in love with Princess Lara Jonggrang, the daughter of King Boko. But the princess rejected his proposal of marriage because Bandung Bondowoso had killed King Boko and ruled her kingdom. Bandung Bondowoso insisted on the union. Finally, Lara Jonggrang agreed to the union in marriage under force, but she posed one impossible condition. Bandung must build her a thousand temples in just one night.

The Prince entered into meditation and conjured up a multitude of spirits (demons) from the earth. Helped by supernatural beings, he succeed in building 999 temples. With the prince on the verge of success, the princess awoke her palace maids, ordering the women of the village to begin pounding rice. They set a fire in the east of the temple, attempting to make the prince and the spirits believe that dawn had come. As the cocks began to crow, fooled by the light and the sounds of morning, the supernatural helpers fled back into the ground. The prince, furious about the trick, in revenge cursed Lara Jongrang into a stone. She became the last and the most beautiful of the thousand statues. According to the tradition, the unfinished thousand temples created by the demons become the Sewu temple compounds nearby (Sewu means "thousands" in Javanese). The Princess became the image of Durga in the north cella of the Shiva temple at Prambanan, still known as Lara Jongrang or Slender Virgin.

Other temples around Prambanan

In addition to the Lara Jongrang complex, Prambanan hosts some of the earliest Buddhist temples in Indonesia. Close by to the north the ruins of Bubrah temple, Lumbung temple, and Sewu temple stand. Further east are found Plaosan temple. To the west Kalasan temple and Sari temple stand, while further to the west lay Sambisari temple. To the south, the Ratu Boko compounds reside on higher ground.

North of the Lara Jongrang complex

  • Candi Lumbung. Buddhist-style, consisting of one main temple surrounded by sixteen smaller ones.
  • Candi Bubrah. Buddhist temple still in ruins.
  • 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 Plaosan in Prambanan (9th century).
  • Candi Plaosan. Buddhist, probably ninth century, believed built by a Hindu king for his Buddhist queen. Two main temples with reliefs of a man and a woman. Slender stupa.

South of the Lara Jongrang complex

  • Ratu Boko. Complex of fortified gates, bathing pools, and elevated walled stone enclosure, all located on top of the hill.
  • Candi Sajiwan. Buddhist temple decorated with reliefs concerning education. Animal fables decorate the base and staircase.
  • Candi Banyunibo. A Buddhist temple with unique design of roof.
  • Candi Barong. A Hindu temple complex with large stepped stone courtyard. Located on the slope of the hill.
  • Candi Ijo. A cluster of Hindu temples located near the top of Ijo hill. The main temple houses a large lingam and yoni.
  • Arca Bugisan. Seven Buddha and bodhisattva statues, some collapsed, representing different poses and expressions.

West of the Lara Jongrang complex

  • Candi Kalasan. Eighth century Buddhist temple built in commemoration of the marriage of a king and his princess bride, ornamented with finely carved reliefs.
  • Candi Sari. Once a sanctuary for Buddhist priests. Eighth century. Nine stupas stand at the top with two rooms beneath, each believed to be places for priests to meditate.
  • Candi Sambisari. Nineth century Hindu temple discovered in 1966, once buried 6.5 meters under volcanic ash. The main temple houses a linga and yoni, and the wall surround it displayed the images of Agastya, Durga, and Ganesha.
  • Candi Gebang. A small Hindu temple discovered in 1937 located near the Yogyakarta northern ring-road. The temple displays the statue of Ganesha and interesting carvings of faces on the roof section.
  • 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, four meters deep. Square base of main temple visible. Secondary temples only partially excavated.

Gallery

See also

Notes

Further reading

  • Bernet Kempers, August Johan. 1959. Ancient Indonesian art. Amsterdam: C. P. J. van der Peet. OCLC 2887811.
  • Dumarçay, Jacques, and Michael Smithies. 1986. The temples of Java. Singapore: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195825954.
  • Holt, Claire. 1967. Art in Indonesia; continuities and change. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. OCLC 914024.
  • Leemans, Conradus. 1854. Javaansche tempels bin Prambanan. Leyden,Netherlands: s.n. BKI, vol.3. pp.1-26. OCLC 223466873.

External links

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