Hindu Temples in Central Java

Java is the main island of Indonesia. It is located between Sumatra and Bali. This island bounded on the north by the Java Sea, on the east by Bali Strait, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the west by Sunda Strait. Java is the most populous island in Indonesia. (approximately 62% of the country's population). A majority of the population belongs to the Sundanese, the Javanese, and the Madurese dialect-speaking groups. Today, 90 percent of Javanese are Muslims. But, in the past, Hinduism has been a major religious and cultural influence in Java. There are many Hindus temple ("Candi" in local language) here, such as Prambanan temple, Gedongsongo temple, Dieng temple, Sukuh temple, etc.

The most famous Hindus temple in Central Java is Prambanan. It is located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta. The temple is believed to have been built by King Balitung of Mataram kingdom in the middle of the ninth century. Prambanan temple complex is dominated by the imposing figures of the three main temples: the Brahma Temple, the Vishnu Temple and the Shiva Temple. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. It is characterized by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture. One of its appeals is the wealth of sculptural detail. Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. The temple was damaged during the earthquake in Java in 2006.

Gedongsongo temple is a group of nine small Hindu temples which were built around 927 AD. "Gedongsongo" means nine buildings in local language. It is located at the slope of mount Ungaran (900 meters above sea level) and only 90 Km from Yogyakarta. In this temple there are Lord Ganesh's images which date back to the 8th century. To see each temple we should go up to the hill either on foot or can ride a horse.

Dieng temple is a group of eight small Hindu temples. Five main temples-all dedicated to central characters of Mahabharata epic (Puntadewa/Yudhistira, Arjun, Shrikhandi, Sembadara and Semara). It is located at Dieng plateau. Dieng plateau is the largest high land in Java that lies at 2,093 meters above sea level with the average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. "Dieng" means "the abode of the gods". Dieng temple was the oldest temple in Central Java.

Sukuh temple is an erotic temple in Java. This temple was built around 1430. It is located in the western slopes of Mount Lawu (35 Km east of Solo). The temple shape is like the ones in South America of the Maya culture (Tikal pyramid). The temple consist of three terraces, the first terrace is the lowest level, followed by the second and the third above it. Reliefs of this temple describe the union of the symbolic male and female sex organs (fertility symbol). It can be found on the gate at the first terrace. Other statues in Candi Sukuh include a life-sized male figure with his hand grasping his own penis and three flattened shells of tortoises.