Temple of Java: Plaosan Temple

Plaosan Temple is situated in Bugisan Village, Prambanan Sub-district, Klaten District, 1.5 kilometers to the east of Sewu Temple. The temple is an ancient building compound comprising of two building complexes, Plaosan Lor Temple complex (lor is a Javanese word that means north) and Plaosan Kidul Temple complex (kidul is a Javanese word for south). The relief sculptures seen at the compound are fine and detailed, similar to sculptures found at Borobudur, Sewu and Sari Temples.

Experts claim that Plaosan Temple, a Buddhist shrine, was built during the era of Mataram Hindu Kingdom, when Rakai Pikatan was at the helm, at the dawn of the 9th century. De Casparis, one of the proponents of the claim, based his viewpoint on the inscription on Cri Kahulunan ancient stone (842 AD). The inscription stone states that Plaosan Lor Temple was built by Queen Sri Kahulunan, with the support from her husband. De Casparis argued further that Sri Kahulunan was a designation entitled to Pramodhawardani, the daughter of King Samarattungga of Syailendra Dynasty. The princess, a Buddhist, married Rakai Pikatan of Sanjaya Dynasty, who was a Hindu.

Other experts argue that Plaosan Temple was built before Rakai Pikatan reigned. Anggraeni, a proponent of the claim, believed that Sri Kahulunan, instead of a princess, was Rakai Garung, the predecessor of Rakai Pikatan, who once ruled Mataram. The era of Rakai Pikatan was too short to build a temple as big as Plaosan. Rakai Pikatan, however, built the ancillary temple after the main temple was erected.

In October 2003, an inscription-bearing gold sheet was discovered in the surroundings of an ancillary temple in Plaosan Kidul Temple complex. It is estimated that the inscription was made in the 9th century AD. The sheet is 18.5 centimeters in length and 2.2 centimeters in width and the inscription is in Sanskrit written in old Javanese letters. Although the translation of the inscription has yet come to an end, Tjahjono Prasodjo, the epigrapher who deciphers the inscription, believes that the inscription support the claim that Plaosan Temple was built during Rakai Pikatan era.

Plaosan Lor (North Palosan)
Plaosan Lor is a large complex of temples. On each of this compound’s sides, there is a couple of face-to-face Dwarapala statues, each in seated position on its right leg while the left one bended in front of the body. The right hand holds a cudgel, while the left one is on the left knee.

On the temple’s north court, there are 6 big stupas and a rectangular stone terrace surrounded by rows of stone pedestals. The terrace is believed to be a place where offerrings were given.
It is assumed that there was once a wooden structure on the terrace and Dhyani Buddha statue on each of the stone pedestals. Similar but smaller terrace can be found to the south of the compound.

At the center of this temple complex, there are two two-storied buildings that constitute the main temple. The two buildings face west, each surrounded by stone wall.

The stone wall is encircled by 174 ancilllary temples, consisting of 58 small shrines, each laid out on a square plan, and 116 stupas. These shrines are arranged in rows of seven south of the main temples, of 19 temples to the east or rear of the main temples, and 17 temples in front of the main temples. Nearly all of the temples have already crumbled.

It is assumed that there was once a wooden structure on the terrace and Dhyani Buddha statue on each of the terrace can be found to the south of the

Each of the main temples stands on a 60 cm high base that surrounds the temple’s body. The stairs to the door have stone baisters with statue of dragon head on each end. The door’s frame is embellished with sculptures of flowers and climbing plants. The frame is topped by a sculpture of kala head without its lower jaw in high relief.

Along the outer wall is adorned with relief depicting man and woman in standing position at a size of real human figure. The wall of the south temple carries relief of male figures, while that of the north temple depicts female figures. The south temple was probably a monastery for bhikkus while the north one for bhikkunis.

Plaosan Kidul (South Plaosan)

Plaosan Kidul Temple is located to the south of Plaosan Lor, separated by a road. While the main temples of Palosan Lor still stand firm, their counterpart in Plaosan Kidul have crumbled, leaving only a number of 'candi perwara' (ancillary temples).

On May 2003 when the pictures were taken, excavation and restoration works were underway.