Losari Temple

The temple was built not in any place. The places where the temple is a shrine built-grandparents our grandparents choice in the past. But unfortunately, places where it now may have a different appearance than a hundred years ago. Suppose it is a result of the metamorphosis of time. So, do not be surprised if there has been a temple which was found at the bottom of the rice fields, among the crush of the factory, and even amidst the tree bark like a temple located in losari village, Kec. Salam, Kab. Magelang, Central Java.

Go to Garden Salak
To visit the Temple Losari, you can use a private vehicle or public transport, because Hamlet Losari is on the Jl. Jogja-Magelang, about 2 km after the gate of the border provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java. If you're observant, on the side of Jl. Jogja-Magelang also contained directions to the temple board Losari. Arriving at the hamlet Losari, it helps you ask the residents about the location of Temple Losari, because the temple is located in the middle of the garden and barking in the village there are lots of garden bark!

Teacher Temple
On Sunday (10/05/2009), I was accompanied by Mr. M. Eme Badri as the owner of the garden barking and also the inventor of the Temple Losari. The story of Mr. Badri alone in finding this temple have been published in Kompas daily. Even so Mr Badri who is also teacher SMP 12 is very keen to tell us about the temple Losari. Actually salak plantation owned by Mr. Badri is the family legacy is a garden which had previously been managed by his grandfather and father. But in 2002 Mr. Badri started getting a feeling that there is "something" in the garden that he barked. When he dug the ground to make a trench, he found several stone temples. But at that time he has not taken the initiative to lift it, so that the stones were dumped back into the soil. New in 2004, Mr. Badri took the initiative to remove all the stones he had found and the result is 2 car colt full of stones. The stones were then he Boyong and prepared at home. From there the existence of Temple Losari revealed to the public, including BP3 Central Java and the future of print media coverage.

In August 2008, the Central Java BP3 assisted by a team of archaeologists from the University of Gadjah Mada University has finished the eighth hole digging and found the position of the main temple and three ancillary temples. BP3 Party Central Java itself has begun to liberate the lands surrounding the temple. Excavation process is constrained by the type of soil that buried the stones. The land is very hard and memantikkan fire when exposed to contact with the digging tool. From the eighth hole dug, currently only 2 holes are opened and the holes are closed again with earth. Mr. Badri said it was an attempt to prevent the theft of stones of the temple. In a hole dug as deep as 4 meters, we can see the stone temple is under water. According to Mr Badri, it comes with its own water from the soil and can not be drained using a pump machine. Not far from the site, Mr. Badri said there is an ancient river is now dry.

Mr. Badri now volunteer as a temple guard Losari. We are proud of him as Mr. Badri because Indonesian people have a great concern to preserve the legacy of ancestors. His daughter named Ika seem to be following in the footsteps of his father, because he has registered as a student of Department of Archaeology GMU with his own will and choice. Excavation Losari Temple will soon be resumed this year. We all hope on my next visit Temple Losari been fully exposed. Perhaps according to GMU Archaeology team, this temple is rich in beautiful relief.

 Ancillary temples hidden in the trees bark.

 Another piece of chapel dirty with soil.

 The rocks are piled temple again closed plastic.

 Another dug a hole in the hillside soil.

Fun examine the temples while eating bark!

Ngawen Temple

Transition Temple
The building is thought to be a Buddhist temple, to be exact Vajrayana Buddhism and dedicated to the five Dyani Buddhas. The temple is expected to be built in the 9th century AD. The existence of this temple is expected to set out in the Middle Reef inscription that many AD 824. Some archaeologists say that this temple was built in the Hindu-Buddhist period of transition on the island of Java.

Different from other temples that once kusinggahi, Ngawen Temple complex has five main temple which stretches from north to south. The five main temple is dedicated to the five Dyani Buddhas and has an entrance facing east. Uniquely, the east and west of the main temples are flanked by two small rivers named Kali Kebo (west) and Blongkeng River (east). Water on the River Blongkeng if observed closely is a bit cloudy, and, according to the literature on the internet is the sulfur content in river water.

Building the main temples are no longer perfect as usual. Only the temple building on the north side are still standing strong, and even then without a roof, so that rain water will be free to enter into the main chamber of the temple. Inside the main temple is solid, there are statues of Buddha that is no longer intact. The atmosphere of the temple which was built in the transitional period of Hindu-Buddhist looks thick here, in one of the main temple there are statues in front of the yoni and there is a statue of Nandi the postal jurukunci who once found around this temple.

Lion Ornaments
The five main temple is decorated with ornamental lions are located in the corners of the foot of the temple, one thing that never found the Buddhist temples that I visited once. In the main temple is still standing strong, there are stone lions standing in a position which is located at the corners of the foot of the temple. When observed lion statue has a mouth that is gaping. In the mouth there is a kind of pipe sewers, whether rain or water god. When more observant again, the lions were male sex. Know where? Just look at (sorry) Pubic organ lions are carved with very clear by our ancestors. Also on the main temples are also sculpted reliefs of elephants and human relief. Hmm ... if the reliefs contained story as the Temple Sojiwan and Mendut?

History of discovery
This temple was first discovered in 1864 by a Dutchman named Hoepermans. He found the statue of Buddha that had been damaged and suspect that there are "something else" hidden under a hill as high as 2-3 meters. Intensive excavation commenced in 1899, and a number of Dutch archaeologists such as Brandes, Van Erp, and Vink also assist with the excavation. Van Erp discovered a structure that has a unique design and is suspected as a temple. In 1920, the rice fields surrounding the excavation area was dried and the process of excavation begins. Restoration starts from the main temple in the north and managed to construct the back of the temple, though without a roof and a lot of rocks that have reshaped the temple again. Maybe this is the reason why the walls of the temple is seen as a mixture of cement and stone, not the composition of andesite stone. Restoration process is completed by Perquin declared in 1927.

The park is Beautiful
This temple complex is quite interesting to visit. For one thing, this temple complex has been arranged with the slick. There are parks, benches, and a pond complete with teratainya. The existence of two rivers that flank the two temples also add a natural impression in this temple complex. In the afternoon Ngawen village children often play in the temple complex. It was good to break a break from big city noise and enjoy the rich history and natural harmony in this temple complex.

 Candi Ngawen

The temple building is not intact.

Kebo river on the west side of the temple complex. 

 Headless Buddha statue at the main temple.

 The walls of the temple of a mixture of cement and stone river.

 

 Male lion statue at the corner of the foot of the temple

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is located in Pecatu Village, Kuta Sub-district, Badung District, Bali. The temple is 30 kilometers to the south of Denpasar. Uluwatu Temple, also called Luwur Temple, is one of the six Sad Kahyangan Temples, the main spiritual pillars in Bali Island.

There are two different opinions concerning the history of Uluwatu Temple. Some people believe that the temple was built by Empu Kuturan in 9th AD, during Marakata’s reign. Meanwhile, other people claim that the temple was built by Dang Hyang Nirartha, a pedanda (Hindu monk) from Daha Kingdom (Kediri) in East Java. Dang Hyang Nirartha came to Bali in 1546 AD, during the reign of Dalem Waturenggong. The monk built Uluwatu Temple on Pecatu Hill. After completing a spiritual journey around Bali, the monk went back to Uluwatu Temple and died there. He moksa (died and his body vanished), leaving the Marcapada (worldly life) and entering Swargaloka (heaven). The Piodalan or ceremony commemorating the temple’s anniversary is held on Anggara Kasih day, in wuku Medangsia in Caka calendar. Usually the ceremony lasts for three days thronged by of thousands of Hindus.
   
Uluwatu Temple sits on a 70-meter-high cliff protruding above Indonesian Ocean. Because of its unique location, visitors to the temple have to take a long stone stairway to reach it. The temple heads east, unlike other Balinese temples which face west or south.

There are hundreds of monkeys roaming along the path outside the temple. Although the monkeys look tame, visitors find them a nuisance as they often grab food off a visitor’s hand and snatch visitors’ belongings. There are two doors at the end of the path, the north door and the south one, through which visitors enter the temple complex.
       
The entrance doors take the shape of stone Bentar gates. Standing across from each gate, there are two statues of elephant-headed men. The front part of the gate is decorated with fine relief sculpture picturing leaves and flowery patterns. Behind the gate, there are stone steps that lead to the inner court. Along the steps, trees are grown to provide shade.
   
The inner court is an open space paved with stone floor. There is a wooden building near the north gate. To the west, across from the entrance path, there is a Paduraksa Gate that opens the path into the next inner court. Unlike the ones found outside, this stone gate is completed with roof. The door is an arch framed with an arrangement of stones.
   
There is a sculpture of a giant head above the frame. The top of the gate looks like a crown and it is decorated with relief sculpture. The gaps between the gate and the walls are filled with a surface full of relief sculpture.
   
There is a small rectangular court to the south that stretches out above the sea. There is a wooden construction at the end of the court that seems to be a place where people can sit and watch the ocean. Uluwatu Temple has undergone several restorations. In 1999, a lightning struck the temple and caused fire.

Tanah Lot Temple

Uluwatu Temple is located in Pecatu Village, Kuta Sub-district, Badung District, Bali. The temple is 30 kilometers to the south of Denpasar. Uluwatu Temple, also called Luwur Temple, is one of the six Sad Kahyangan Temples, the main spiritual pillars in Bali Island.

There are two different opinions concerning the history of Uluwatu Temple. Some people believe that the temple was built by Empu Kuturan in 9th AD, during Marakata’s reign. Meanwhile, other people claim that the temple was built by Dang Hyang Nirartha, a pedanda (Hindu monk) from Daha Kingdom (Kediri) in East Java. Dang Hyang Nirartha came to Bali in 1546 AD, during the reign of Dalem Waturenggong. The monk built Uluwatu Temple on Pecatu Hill. After completing a spiritual journey around Bali, the monk went back to Uluwatu Temple and died there. He moksa (died and his body vanished), leaving the Marcapada (worldly life) and entering Swargaloka (heaven). The Piodalan or ceremony commemorating the temple’s anniversary is held on Anggara Kasih day, in wuku Medangsia in Caka calendar. Usually the ceremony lasts for three days thronged by of thousands of Hindus.
   
Uluwatu Temple sits on a 70-meter-high cliff protruding above Indonesian Ocean. Because of its unique location, visitors to the temple have to take a long stone stairway to reach it. The temple heads east, unlike other Balinese temples which face west or south.

There are hundreds of monkeys roaming along the path outside the temple. Although the monkeys look tame, visitors find them a nuisance as they often grab food off a visitor’s hand and snatch visitors’ belongings. There are two doors at the end of the path, the north door and the south one, through which visitors enter the temple complex.
       
The entrance doors take the shape of stone Bentar gates. Standing across from each gate, there are two statues of elephant-headed men. The front part of the gate is decorated with fine relief sculpture picturing leaves and flowery patterns. Behind the gate, there are stone steps that lead to the inner court. Along the steps, trees are grown to provide shade.
       
The inner court is an open space paved with stone floor. There is a wooden building near the north gate. To the west, across from the entrance path, there is a Paduraksa Gate that opens the path into the next inner court. Unlike the ones found outside, this stone gate is completed with roof. The door is an arch framed with an arrangement of stones.

There is a sculpture of a giant head above the frame. The top of the gate looks like a crown and it is decorated with relief sculpture. The gaps between the gate and the walls are filled with a surface full of relief sculpture.

There is a small rectangular court to the south that stretches out above the sea. There is a wooden construction at the end of the court that seems to be a place where people can sit and watch the ocean. Uluwatu Temple has undergone several restorations. In 1999, a lightning struck the temple and caused fire.

Taman Ayun Temple

Pura Taman Ayun is situated in Mengwi Village of Badung District, around 18 km to the west of Denpasar. It is a very beautiful temple, as the name tells (Taman Ayun  means temple in a beautiful garden). In addition to its beauty, Pura Taman Ayun is also considered to have historical values, which makes the regional government of Bali suggests the UNESCO in 2002 that this temple is included in World Heritage List.

Pura Taman Ayun is a Mother Temple (Paibon) to Mengwi Kingdom. This temple was built by Mengwi King, I Gusti Agung Putu, in the Javanese year of 1556 (1634 AD). Initially, I Gusti Agung Putu built a temple to the north of Mengwi village to the worship of his ancestors. The temple was named Genter Park. When Mengwi grew into a big kingdom, I Gusti Agung Putu moved Genter Park eastward and expand the compound. The expanded temple was officially declared Pura Taman Ayun on Kliwon Tuesday - Medangsia the fourth month in the Javanese year of 1556. Until today, each Kliwon Tuesday of wuku Medangsia in Javanese calendar (Saka), a piodalan (ceremony) is held in this temple to celebrate the temple’s anniversary.

Pura Taman Ayun has gone through a number of restoration works. Large scale restoration was implemented in 1937. In 1949, restoration work was done to the kori agung (the grand room), Bentar temple. A big wantilan was also constructed during the time. The third restoration was implemented in 1972, followed by the final restoration in 1976. Taman Ayun Temple complex is 100 meters in length and 250 meters in width. The complex comprises an outer court and three inner courts. The inner courts, sided with stone fences, have different elevations, and the inner most is the highest one.

The outer court, also known as Jaba, is situated at the outer side of the pool. There is a bridge over the pool to connect the outer court to the inner ones. At the end of the bridge, on the inner court side, there is a Bentar gate followed by a pathway leading to the inner courts. There are two giant statues at each end of the bridge.

At the left side of the pathway, near the gate, there is some sort of a small guardhouse. Here, at the first inner court, there is a Wantilan (a sort of hall) at which some ceremonies usually take place, including a cockfight, which is also part the ritual ceremonies at the temple. There is a pathway lying across the first inner court and dividing it into two parts, connecting the gate into the first inner court to the one into the second inner court. To the southwest, there is a round gazebo at which one can have a rest and enjoy the beauty of the temple. There is a pond near the gazebo covered with water lilies. Right at the center of the pond, there is a small post that sprinkles water to nine different directions. To the east, there is a cluster of small temples called Luhuring Purnama Temples.
   
There is a gate at the end of the pathway dividing the first inner court into two. The gate leads to the second inner court, which is situated on a higher ground than the first one. Across from the gate, on the second inner court, there is a building functioning as a partition. The partition is decorated with relief sculpture depicting nine guardian gods of compass points. To the east, there is a small temple called Dalem Bekak Temple. To the west, around the corner, there is a balai Kulkul with its roof rising high. The third inner court, which is also the inner most and the highest one, is the most sacred area. Its main door, which is called pintu gelung, is placed right in the middle and it is opened only during ceremonies. The main door, however, is flanked by two gates through which people can access the court to do daily routines at the temple. The court houses several Merus, a temple, a Gedong, a Padmasana, a Padma Rong Telu, and other religious buildings.

Temples in Bali

Unlike temples in Java, temples in Bali (called pura), become parts of the life of Balinese who mostly are Hindu. Balinese temple is a place of worship for Hindu. Each Hindu family has family temple to worship Hyang Widhi and their ancestors, so that there are thousands of temples in the island of Bali.

Kahyangan Desa Temple. Each village generally has three main temples called Pura Tiga Kahyangan or Pura Tri Kahyangan (temples of three nirvanas), i.e. temples to the worship of Sang Hyang Widi Wasa in three manifestations of power: Desa Temple to the worship of Brahma (the Creator), Puseh Temple to the worship of Vishnu (the Preserver), and Dalem Temple to the worship of Shiva (the Destroyer). Desa (village) Temple is also called Bale Agung, because the temple, which is usually located at village center, also serves as a venue for village consultative meeting.

Kahyangan Jagat Temple. Kahyangan Temple is a place where common people worship Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa in various manifestations and ancestral spirits. Included in Pura Kahyangan Jagat category is Sad Kahyangan Temple (sad = six), i.e. a temple situated in six major Kahyangan in Bali. Sad Khayangan Temples consists of: Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Pura Lempuyang, Pura Goa Lawah, Pura Watukaru, Pura Bukit Pengalengan and Pura Besakih. Pura Sad Kahyangan is believed to be the spiritual vein of for Bali and a center for religious practices. Also included in the category of kategori Pura Kahyangan Jagat, in addition to Pura Sad Kahyangan, is Pura Dhang Kahyangan, i.e. a temple built by spiritual leaders in the past. Pura Luhur Uluwatu is also a Pura Dhang Kahyangan that was built in the 15th century by Dhang Hyang Nirartha.

Pura Luhur. Nearly all districts in Bali have Pura Luhur (luhur = high), i.e. temple whose anniversary is celebrated by followers by staging a piodalan (ceremony) that involves thousands of people. Pura Tanah Lot, Goa Lawah, and Pura Uluwatu belong to this category.

Pura Kawitan. This temple is a place of worship for family or descendants of a particular leader. Temples belonging to this category are: Sanggah-Pemerajan, Pratiwi, Paibon, Panti, Dadia or Dalem Dadia, Penataran Dadia, and Pedharman.

Pura Swagina. This temple is a place of worship for people with particular livelihoods or occupations, for example Pura Melanting for merchants, Pura Subak for farmers, etc.

Karangnongko Temple

Still on the same day, Friday (26/09/2008) in the last week after visited the Merak (Peacock) Temple , I remember that he said still there is a temple again in the region Karangnongko. By asking Mr Slamet, as the temple guards Merak, we finally get conclusive information about the route to the temple named Candi Karangnongko it. Although Mr Slamet reminds us that the temple is still in the discovery phase of a new alias temple seem basic, but it did not dampen our intention to explore the Temple Karangnongko.

Rice Middle
We departed from the Temple of the Peacock to return to the District Office Karangnongko. There we followed the main road with direction to the south, to arrive at a small intersection with a billboard "Cooperation Unit Trade" on the east side of the road. At the intersection, we took the right direction. We entered a small street just load the rice fields that if passed by two-wheeled vehicles only. We passed the building "Cooperation Unit Trade" which has a strange shape. Not far from the building, Andrew has been kissed "scent" of the temple in the middle of rice fields and indeed our attention then turned to the composition of rocks that are in the midst of rice fields on the east side. But because we parked the vehicle was not at the entrance of the temple complex, then we have to cross the field to get in there.

Still Explore
This temple complex had been fenced off by the official BP3 Central Java, but some people still use the temple land for planting crops. We found no statues or stone reliefs in the surrounding area of this temple. The temple is indeed still in the process of excavation (digging). But the old ones no longer seem to have dug up because there are no barracks or workers dig scars there. Of existing conditions, have revealed the position of the main temple is facing towards west. This temple we believe to be the Hindu temple, not least because in the main temple area we found a phallus. In the vicinity of the main temple there are also several rocks arrangement which we believe is part of the main temple or chapel. We look forward to how the later manifestation of this Karangnongko temple when it has been completely refurbished.

 The foundation of the main temple that began to unfold

 The stones of the temple have been discovered.
Among them there is a yoni.

Lingga.the embodiment of male genitalia.

Mantup Temple

Besides Jl. Jogja-Solo connecting the multiple locations of the temple, apparently there is another way in which characterized the same Yogyakarta Jl. Jogja-Solo. The road is the road that connects the city of Yogyakarta with city Wonosari and more popular by the name of Jl. Jogja-Wonosari. The easiest way to reach Jl. Jogja-Wonosari of my house are as follows. On Jl. Jogja-Solo, exactly at the junction Janti, turn to the right to go east Ringroad. In Ringroad east at the first intersection (not the big intersection after the overpass down) turn to the left. Well, until deh on Jl. Jogja-Wonosari.

The location of the temple is surrounded by rice fields.

Temple made of mossy bricks.

There is a kind of cavity for connection. I do not know what does.

Andesite stones we expected as other parts of the temple.

If you continue to browse this way, we'll get Wonosari, a town of Gunung Kidul Regency. But do not worry, because I browsing and Andrew are doing on Thursday (02/19/2008) it does not need all the way down to Wonosari. On Jl. Jogja Wonosari Km 7, on the north road (on the left side of the road if Jogja) is a blue gate that reads Hamlet Mantup. Not far from the gate, there is a plaque of cement concrete pink that read Hamlet Mantup, Baturetno Village, Kec. Banguntapan, Kab. Bantul, Yogyakarta. Just follow the road into the blue gate and about 200 meters on the left side of the road there will be a public cemetery called Segara Madu. Well, at the funeral please park your vehicle and do not be confused if the right-left field all its contents. Not far from the cemetery, in the northwest there is a white board stand upright. It was there Mantup Temple is located.

I do not understand why for the archaeological ruins, some are calling the site and some are calling the temple. For the first time here and imagine that the Temple Mantup is truly the temple in general would be stunned to see the shape of the Temple Mantup. Like in the picture above this article, this temple consists of three buildings measuring approximately 2x2 meters. If the third examined these buildings have some sort of room in it and there is a small entrance into the chamber which faces toward the west. According to sources on the internet, the temple was found identified as Kalyanasundaramurti statue, depicting men and women in positions berdampinngan and holding hands. Allegedly is a depiction of the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Because of this alleged temple is a Hindu temple and is expected to be built in the 8th century to 9 AD.

We also had a chance to do a little observation on the site this small. Of the three buildings, the only building located on the north side of the brick. Ironically all three buildings were filled with moss. Not far from the entrance to the temple, we found the stones are large andesite we expected as the stone temples. Most of the surface of the stones are still buried in the ground. Because there are no guards who can we ask our sites, we conclude that the temple was found accidentally by a local farmer while plowing the fields. Not only Mantup Temple, because at Jl. Jogja-Wonosari Km 12 was also connected to other archaeological sites. Look forward to continue next article..ok