The Floor Plan: Does it Reveal a Temple with a Human Form?

The greatest secret of King Solomon’s temple is that it may have been constructed in the hidden form of a human body. Its architectural floor plan, in conjunction with the arrangement of its furnishings, reveals a “Temple Man” composed of three biblical figures: the Levitical High Priest, Jacob and a "Metallic Messiah." All three appear in a single composition, with one figure imposed atop the other. The measurements and description of the Temple (Heb., ha mikdash) are given in the Tanach (Old Testament) in I Kgs 6:1-35, and II Chr. 3:1-17, which is still our best source of information about this ancient (circa 950 BC) structure. Based primarily on these verses, various Jewish, Christian and secular reference works depict the holy house as a rectangular building with a triple-tiered row of cells wrapping around three of its sides: north, south and west, and with the entrance (but no cells), toward the east. See two drawings on this page. It should not be confused with the Second Temple built by King Herod about 20 BC and destroyed by the Romans in AD 70.

Candi Belahan, on the eastern slope of Mt Penanggungan, is traditionally believed to be a memorial to King Airlangga. Seen above, statues of the goddesses Sri and Lakshmi are still at the site. Originally they flanked the central image of Wisnu on Garuda, now on display at the Trowulan Museum.

The famous ‘Calcutta Stone’, dating from A.D. 1041, describes a terrible calamity which befell the East Javanese kingdom of Isana in the early years of the 11th century. A rebellion incited by a jealous vassal king resulted in the destruction of the capital of Watugaluh. The reigning king, Dharmawangsa, successor to Sri Makutawangsawardhana, was murdered along with his entire family. Only the young Airlangga, who was aged about 16 at the time, managed to escape unharmed.
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    The archaeological sites of Majapahit consist, for the most part, of the remains of religious foundations, or candi, built usually from stone or brick. From the two most important and informative literary sources dealing with the history of Majapahit, the Nagarakertagama and Pararaton, we learn that a large number of sacred buildings were constructed as memorial shrines to deceased rulers and their families. The death of a king or queen saw the beginning of a series of funeral rites designed to guide the departed soul back to the source from which it had originated. These rites culminated in the shraddha ceremony, held 12 years after death, upon completion of which it was believed that final liberation was ensured. In memory of the deceased,a stone image of a god or goddess, with whom the ruler had been identified in life, was fashioned as an ‘ideal portrait’ and placed within a shrine. The Nagarakertagama gives a very complete description of the sbraddha ceremony conducted on behalf of the Rajapatni, grandmother of King Hayam Wuruk, in the year 1362.

Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, among an area that now functions as beautiful park.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.

Plaosan Temple constructed by Rakai Pikatan for her wife, Pramudyawardani. The architect of the temple that is located in Bugisan village of Prambanan sub-district is combination of Hindu and Buddha.

Plaosan complex is divided into 2 groups, namely the North Plaosan Temple and the South Plaosan Temple. Both of the temples have square terrace that is encircled by wall, a pillbox for meditation at the west part and dome on other side. Because of that similarity, the appearance of both temples are the same when they are seen from distant so that Plaosan temple is also called the twin temples.

The North Plaosan Temple has middle courtyard encircled by wall with the entrance at the west side. In the middle of the courtyard, there is a hall as wide as 21.62 m x 19 m. At the eastern part of the hall, there are 3 altars, namely north, east and south altars. The pictures of Amitbha, Ratnasambhava, Vairochana, and Aksobya are at the east altar. Samantabadhara statue and Ksitigarba figure is at the north altar, while Manjusri picture is at the west alter.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is a Buddhist stupa related to the Mahayana tradition, and is the largest Buddhist monument on earth. It is located in the Indonesian province of Central Java, 40 kilometers (25mi) north-west of Yogyakarta. It was built between 750 and 850 CE by the Javanese rulers of the Sailendra dynasty. The name may derive from the Sanskrit "Vihara Buddha Ur", which can be liberally translated as "the Buddhist temple on the mountain". It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia.

by Gwen Herat

The Borobudur temple built in the 12th century. The sculptured walls extending to over six kilometeres is hailed as the most complete ensemble in Buddhism, in the world.

    Borobudur is located in anlidylie surrounding which is the heart of Java, landscaped by beautiful mountains. It is in south and southwest of Menorah Mountains and on the north and north-east of the volcanos Sumbing and Sendara.

    A delicate, peaceful atmosphere created by the rice fields in all nuances of green to gold, whispering bamboo trees, slender palm trees among the singing of birds with their arabesque colours when in flight. (more…)

One of 7 wonders of the world is said it is Borobudur. When the ruins of Borobudur become center of archaeologist’s attention since 1814, various experts such as architect, geologists, historians and others got involve in the bringing clear the neglected monument. Various interesting questions aroused about it’s time of construction, techniques, and it’s function.

Indonesia National Archaeological Service continually and persistently carried out investigation on this challenging monuments. An effort to architecturally restore Borobudur led by Ir. Th. van Erp started in 1907 until 1911 under Dutch government. With this first large scale restoration, the original shape of Borobudur can be step by step formed , although some elements experienced disposition.

Location of Borobudur
 The site is 45 kms north of Yogyakarta now belong to the area of Kabupaten Magelang, central Java. The site is a hill of 265 m above sea level on teh north and north-east is active Merapi mountain and Mt. Merbabu, north-west is Mt. Sundara, and Mt. Sumbing. The hill is conical shape with hard volcanic tuff core covered with various layers of sandy and clay. Borobudur has no gate or room for devotees or visitors. The construction is a stepped pyramid with 6 quadrangular galleries at the base followed by 3 circular terraces which are surrounded by big stupa. The diameter of the base is 118 m, and on the top is 36 m. To connect from one to superimposed galleries it is connected by foot steps. The middle of each side of the edifice is laid out stair cases to give access to the upper galleries. The original base which is called hidden foot rediscovered by accident in 1885. The heavy wall of stones covering the original base intended to support the edifice and to prevent it sliding off from it’s construction. The encasement encircling the foot of the monument now form a wide processional path. (more…)

Berdasarkan atas tulisan yang terdapat pada “kaki” tertutup dari Candi Borobudur yang berbentuk huruf Jawa kuno yang berasal dari huruf pallawa, maka dapat diperkirakan tahun berdirinya Candi tersebut, yaitu pada tahun 850 Masehi, pada waktu pulau Jawa dikuasai oleh keluarga raja-raja Sailendra antara tahun 832-900. Jadi umurnya sudah lebih dari 1.000 tahun.Candi itu terdiri dari 2 juta bongkah batu, sebagian merupakan dinding-dinding berupa relief yang mengisahkan ajaran Mahayana. Candi tersebut berukuran sisi-sisinya 123 meter, sedang tingginya termasuk puncak stupa yang sudah tidak ada karena disambar petir 42 m. Yang ada sekarang tingginya 31,5 m. Pada hakekatnya Borobudur itu berbentuk stupa, yaitu bangunan suci agama Buddha yang dalam bentuk aslinya merupakan kubah (separoh bola) yang berdiri atas alas dasar dan diberi payung di atasnya.

Candi itu mempunyai 9 tingkat, yaitu : 6 tingkat di bawah,: "tiap sisinya agak menonjol berliku-liku, sehingga memberi kesan bersudut banyak. 3 tingkat diatasnya:'’ berbentuk lingkaran. Dan yang paling atas yang disebut sebagai tingkat ke-10 adalah stupa besar ukuran diametrnya 9,90 m, tinggi 7 m.

Borobudur tidak memiliki ruang-ruang yang dulunya dipakai sebagai tempat memuja seperti candi-candi lainnya. Yang ada ialah lorong-lorong panjang yang merupakan jalan sempit, kedua tepinya dibatasi oleh dinding candi, mengelilingi candi tingkat demi tingkat. (more…)

Near Prambanan temple there are other interesting temples about 1 kilometer northwards, it is called Plaosan Temple; a temple constructed by Rakai Pikatan for her wife, Pramudyawardani. The architect of the temple that is located in Bugisan village of Prambanan sub-district is combination of Hindu and Buddha.

Plaosan complex is divided into 2 groups, namely the North Plaosan Temple and the South Plaosan Temple. Both of the temples have square terrace that is encircled by wall, a pillbox for meditation at the west part and dome on other side. Because of that similarity, the appearance of both temples are the same when they are seen from distant so that Plaosan temple is also called the twin temples. (more…)

Origins
 Dated as 835 AD. Buddhist.

Location: dukuh Plaosan, desa Bugisan kec. Prambanan 1.5kms East of Candi Sewu.  Best reached by turning off the Yogya-Klaten road in the Northerly direction at the Prambanan intersection. Drive past Candi Loro Jonggrang, Candi Lumbung, Candu Bubrah and turn right [East] just after passing Candi Sewu. Candi Plaosan then comes into view.

Description of architecture

The complex has a north (lor) and a south (kidul) area. The lor yard (to the left as one comes from Prambanan) has two rebuilt two storey buildings, each surrounded by walls. Around the walls is one row of miniature temples containing statues. The East row, bounding on the back of the two main buildings had 19 such temples, the West row 17, leaving space for the entrace gates to the buildings, and north and south are 7 temples each. additionally, there is a temple on every corner. Two rows of pedestals surround the temples. These too are marked by small temples in the corner. IJzerman surmises that the pedestals would have supported ceramic urns with the remains of monks or priests. This by analogy to the Kanheri complex in India. Other observers have identified the smaller constructions as gifts of officials. (more…)

The Pura Yeh Gangga at Perean, dating from Majapahit times. 

Surveys of East Javanese temple architecture usually begin with Candi Kidal, which lies to the south east of Malang. Built around the mid 13th century, Kidal is the earliest known example of a new stylistic tendency; a move away from the massive structures which characterized the monuments built by the Sailendra dynasty in Central Java some four centuries earlier, towards more slender buildings with tall, tapering spires. True, we see a foreshadowing of this new style in the Central Javanese temple complex of Prambanan, but the almost total absence of archaeological remains from the intervening period makes it difficult to re-construct any coherent development of architectural design between, say, A.D. 930, when the centre of Javanese political power shifted to the east, and about 1250, the approximate date for the building of Candi Kidal.This new style is quite clearly apparent in a number of other monuments of the 13th and 14th centuries, among them Candi Jawi, Candi Sawentar, Candi Sumberjati (Simping), Candi Bangkal, Candi Bajang Ratu, as well as the ‘dated’ temple at Penataran.