The SHIVA temples of Prambanan and Panataran, two major examples of

Central and East Javanese art and architecture

Der Indische Kulturkreis In Einzeldarstellungen, first Published In 1925 has Been Considered
a classic, to the English reading public.In this Monograph he argues that Valmiki S
Ramayana was not the basis of the Indonesian Versions and disagrees with the hypothesis
that Kamban provided a Model or even Tthat Hanuman-Nataka was the original source, and
that Gujarat was the source-The Gujarati Version Of The Ramayana.Hindu influences
reached the Indonesian Archipelago as early as the first century CE. Historical evidence is
unclear about the diffusion process of cultural and spiritual ideas from India. Java legends
refer to Saka-era, traced to 78 CE. Stories from the Mahabharata have been traced in
Indonesian islands to the 1st century, whose versions mirror those found in Tamil Nadu. The
Javanese prose work Tantu Pagelaran of the 14th century, which is a collection of ancient
tales, arts and crafts of Indonesia, extensively uses Sanskrit words, Indian deity names, and
religious concepts. Indian influences came firstly in the form of Hinduism, which reached
the Indonesian Archipelago as early as the first century. By the fourth century, the kingdom
of Kutai in East Kalimantan, Tarumanagara in West Java, and Holing (Kalingga) in Central
Java, were among the early Hindu states established in the region. Several notable ancient
Indonesian Hindu kingdoms are Mataram, famous for the construction of the
majestic Prambanan temple, followed by Kediri and Singhasari. Since then Hinduism, along
with Buddhism, spread across the archipelago and reached the peak of its influence in the
fourteenth century. The last and largest of the Hindu-Buddhist Javanese empires, that of
the Majapahit, influenced the entire Indonesian archipelago.
Hinduism and Buddhism penetrated deeply into all aspects of society, blending with the
indigenous tradition and culture. One conduit for this were the ascetics, called "resi,"
(Sanskrit rishi) who taught a variety of mystical practices. A resi lived surrounded by
students, who took care of their master's daily needs. Resi's authorities were merely
ceremonial. At the courts, Brahmin clerics and pudjangga (sacred literati) legitimized rulers
and linked Hindu cosmology to their political needs. Presently, small Hindu enclaves are
scattered throughout Java, but there is a large Hindu population along the eastern coast
nearest Bali, especially around the town of Banyuwangi.

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Similarly, ancient Chandis (temples) excavated in Java and western Indonesian islands, as
well as ancient inscriptions such as the 8th century Canggal inscription discovered in
Indonesia, confirm the widespread adoption of Shiva lingam iconography, his companion
goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Vishnu, Brahma, Arjuna, and other Hindu deities by about the
middle to late 1st-millennium CE. Ancient Chinese records of Fa Hien on his return voyage
from Ceylon to China in 414 CE mention two schools of Hinduism in Java, while Chinese
documents from the 8th century refer to the Hindu kingdom of King Sanjaya as Holing,
calling it "exceedingly wealthy," and say that it coexisted peacefully with the Buddhist
people and Sailendra ruler in the Kedu Plain of the Java island.

Penataran or Panataran (Indonesian: Candi Penataran) is one of the largest Hindu

temple ruins complex in East Java, Indonesia. It is located in Penataran, Blitar Regency,
roughly 12 km northeast of Blitar. Believed to have been constructed between the 12th
century to the 15th century, the temple played a significant role in the Majapahit Kingdom,
especially under King Hayam Wuruk. He considered it his favorite sanctuary. Penataran dates
from the Kediri era.
Hayam Vuruk Sanskrit: हयम् वुरुक् 1334–1389, also called Rajasanagara, Pa-ta-na-pa-na-wu,
or Bhatara Prabhu after 1350, was a Javanese Hindu emperor from the Rajasa Dynasty and
the 4th emperor of the Majapahit Empire. Together with his prime minister Gajah Mada, he
reigned the empire at the time of its greatest power. During his reign, the Hindu epics,
the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, became ingrained in the culture and worldview of the
Javanese through the wayang kulit (leather puppets). Most of the accounts of his life were
taken from the Nagarakretagama, a eulogy to Hayam Wuruk, and the Pararaton ("Book of
Kings"), a Javanese historical chronicle. His reign, as part of Indosphere culturally, helped
further Indianisation of Javanese culture through the spread of Hinduism and Sanskritization.
Both Java and Sumatra were subject to considerable cultural influence from India during the
first and second millennia of the Common Era. Both Hinduism and Buddhism, which are
both Indian religions and share a common historical background and whose membership may
even overlap at times, were widely propagated in the Maritime Southeast Asia.
Hinduism and the Sanskrit language through which it was transmitted, became highly
prestigious and the dominant religion in Java. Many Hindu temples were built,
including Prambanan near Yogyakarta, which has been designated a World Heritage Site; and
Hindu kingdoms flourished, of which the most important was Majapahit.
In the sixth and seventh centuries many maritime kingdoms arose in Sumatra and Java which
controlled the waters in the Straits of Malacca and flourished with the increasing sea trade
between China and India and beyond. During this time, scholars from India and China visited
these kingdoms to translate literary and religious texts.
Majapahit was based in Central Java, from where it ruled a large part of what is now western
Indonesia. The remnants of the Majapahit kingdom shifted to Bali during the sixteenth
century as Muslim kingdoms in the western part of the island gained influence.
Although Java was substantially converted to Islam during the 15th century and afterwards,
substantial elements of Hindu (and pre-Hindu) customs and beliefs persist among ordinary
Javanese. Particularly in central and eastern Java, Abangan or 'nominal' Muslims are
predominant. 'Javanists', who uphold this folk tradition, coexist along with more orthodox
Islamicizing elements.

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Candi Panataran is a Shiva (Siwa) temple. It is notable for including one of the largest
Indonesian collection of reliefs showing life stories of Hindu god Vishnu in different avatar.
In particular, the temple site include the Rama story in the Javanese version of the
epic Ramayana, as well Krishna story as depicted Triguna's Krishnayana epic poem.
Comparative studies of reliefs related to Hindu epics at Penataran and Prambanan temple
(Yogyakarta) complexes have attracted the attention of archaeologists. Penataran – Second
Largest Hindu Complex in East Java – Indonesia.Penataran is the site of the second largest
Hindu complex in East Java, Indonesia. The site is famous for the remarkable shrine, Candi
Penataran, built during the rule of Majopahit dynasty (14th Century AD).

In its size and beauty, Penataran temple complex is unique as it is a sepulchral temple,
entombing the ashes of the Mojophait monarchs, probably built by Queen
Jayavishnuvardhana. The ashes of the deceased kings were buried beneath the sanctuary, but
the spirits were identified with Hindu deities.

The principal structure is guarded by representations of rakshasas and bears which

corresponds to Shaka Era 1242 (1320 AD).

The temple raises from a square base in diminishing terraces, the walls of which are covered
with sculptured panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana and illustrations of fables and
scenes from Javanese literature and Wayang Theater, the dramatic art form of the island. The
reliefs are executed in a highly decorative style close to native Indonesia art.
Some of the noteworthy episodes depicted on the panels are Hanuman speaking to Sita in the
Ashoka grove, Hanuman in the palaces of Lanka before he set them on fire, Ravana
conferring with his commanders, and Mandodari with her lady attendants.

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The figures in the Ramayana scenes display the masks used by actors in the drama. They
reflect local ethnic features and display the distinctive eastern Javanese style.
Notes take from - Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume VIII - IHRF - page 2.

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 19, 1995, in
the Cultural category. This temple was identified in Nagarakretagama as Palah temple and
reported being visited by King Hayam Wuruk during his royal tour across East Java. The site
is being considered to be put on the World Heritage list of sites that have "outstanding
universal value" to the world. However, on 2015, the site was pulled out from the tentative
list along with 11 other sites.

STORYTELLING RUINS OF PRAMBANAN TEMPLE- Shivgrah

Prambanan is the biggest and most complete remains of Java`s period of Hindu culture, built
in the middle of the 9th century AD, around 50 years later than Borobudur. Little is known
about its early history, but it is believed that it was built by king Rakai Pikatan to mark the
return of a Hindu dynasty in Java after decades of Buddhism. Prambanan was completely in
ruins for years until 1937 when the reconstruction started, and it is still far from There are
many piles of rocks surrounding the reconstructed temples. All of these piles are the remains

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of 224 (!) temples in the outer compound. Enormity of the temples at PrambananThe
enormity of the temple complex hits you when you start walking towards it. The three tall
temple shikhara tower above the rest of the ground. Other temples are dwarfs in comparison.
As you move closer you see a lot of rubble – all in dark gray stone. The rubble is obviously
of the temples that once stood in this complex.

As per legends, there were 999 temples in the complex. However, architectural evidence
suggests 240 temples.The temple design follows the Sri Yantra formation with a Shiva
temple in the middle flanked by Brahma and Vishnu temples. Each of these temples has a
Vahana temple dedicated to their respective vahanas Nandi Bull, Hams & Garuda. There are
two temples between the Brahma & Hamsa temple and between Vishnu & Garuda temple.
These are called Apit temples. My Indonesian friend said that Apit means in between – but I
have no clue who these temples are dedicated to? The Prambanan Temple Compound consist
of: 3 Trimurti temples: three main temples dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. 3
Vahana temples: three temples in front of Trimurti temples dedicated to the vahana of each
gods; Garuda, Nandi and Hamsa.
Of these, 3 main and the largest temples belong to the Trimurti of Hindu pantheon of Gods –
Shiva, Brahma & Vishnu. In the middle stands the Shiva temple that was called Shivagriha or
Shivalaya, both meaning the abode of Shiva.

Trimurti Temples at Prambanan

There are the 3 main temples at the complex.
Shiva Temple

Shiva Temple
This is the biggest temple here. It clearly, indicates that the builders of this complex were
Shiva followers. However, the presence of Vishnu and Brahma also indicates that the 3
deities were worshiped during the 9th CE in Java when this temple complex was built. A steep
flight of stairs takes you to the sanctum of the Shiva temple. The walls are all carved but
those inside the sanctum are plain. Not sure if it was always so, or this is the result of
restoration. The sanctum is small and there is no concept of Mandapa or the congregational
hall in the temple.

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Pic to RIGHT ABOVE- Tantric Shiva Statue standing on a lotus placed on Yoni
Shiva statue stands tall on a lotus that in turn is on the square yoni. So the Shivalinga is in the
form of anthropomorphic Shiva. Shiva is wearing clothes that reminded me of many
Gandhara style Buddha images I have seen in India. His lower garment goes till his ankles
and he has thick anklets in both his feet. He has four arms, though most of them are broken so
you can’t make out what he held in his hands. Hair is tied in a top knot. There is a snake
around his neck. The notable thing about the Shiva statue is that the Hindu god stands on a
gigantic lotus flower, which is a symbol of Buddhism. So the Shiva temple is a mix of Hindu
and Buddhism, which is very rare and a bit odd.Scientists believe that the reason for this is
that Prambanan was built when the princess of the Buddhist Sailendras dynasty (ruling the
south of Java) and the prince of the Hindu Sanjayas of Old Mataram (ruling the north of Java)
were married, uniting the two dynasties into one. This may be one reason why the Prambanan
temple complex has architectural elements of both Hindu and Buddhism. This big temple also
has three smaller cells, each containing a statue:

 An incarnation of Shiva as a divine teacher

 A fine image of the elephant-headed Ganesha, Shiva`s son
 Durga, Shiva`s consort, killing the demon buffalo

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Durga, Shiva`s consort, the slayer of Bull demonThe other two main temples of Prambanan
are the Vishnu temple on the north side of Shiva temple, and the Brahma temple on the so
th. Both of them contain only one large chamber with a statue inside. Brahma temple cont
ins the stat

SHIVA MAHADEVA TEMPLE

The Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple, dedicated to Shiva, is not only the largest of the temples
of Prambanan but also the finest. The main spire is incredibly 47 m high and its stones are
beautifully carved.The Shiva temple contains five chambers, four small chambers in every
cardinal direction, and one bigger main chamber in the central part of the temple.

Its base is decorated with small lions flanked by kalpatura (trees of heaven), as well as
stylized half-human and half-bird kinnara (heavenly beings). The 47 m high Shiva Temple
BELOW

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Vishnu Temple as seen from the top level of Shiva Temple

Vibrant scenes from the story of Ramayana are carved onto the inner wall of the gallery
encircling the temple.

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While the carvings on the inner wall are impressive and interesting, the icing on the cake is
inside the main chamber at the top of the eastern stairway which contains a four-armed statue
of Shiva the Destroyer.The notable thing about the Shiva statue is that the Hindu god stands
on a gigantic lotus flower, which is a symbol of Buddhism. So the Shiva temple is a mix of
Hindu and Buddhism, which is very rare and a bit odd.Scientists believe that the reason for
this is that Prambanan was built when the princess of the Buddhist Sailendras dynasty (ruling
the south of Java) and the prince of the Hindu Sanjayas of Old Mataram (ruling the north of
Java) were married, uniting the two dynasties into one. This may be one reason why the
Prambanan temple complex has architectural elements of both Hindu and Buddhism.

This big temple also has three smaller cells, each containing a statue:
 An incarnation of Shiva as a divine teacher
 A fine image of the elephant-headed Ganesha, Shiva`s son
 Durga, Shiva`s consort, killing the demon buffalo

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Durga, Shiva`s consort, the slayer of Bull demonThe other two main temples of Prambanan
are the Vishnu temple on the north side of Shiva temple, and the Brahma temple on the sou
th. Both of them contain only one large chamber with a statue inside. Brahma temple cont
ins the stat

Chasing the golden deer by Rama – Ramayana panel- one may recall that Sita was enraptured
by the dazzling golden deer and entreated Rama to get it for her. With Rama in hot pursuit,
the deer-Maricha gamboled deep into the forest. After a long chase, Rama finally killed the
deer.

Pradakshina Path: Parikrama is defined as "Circumbulatory or pathway around the shrine

of the temples by keeping time is a common form of prayer in India. This pathway made of
stone around the shrine is called Pradakshina path."

So, while the presiding deity of the complex is Shiva, it is the Vishnu whose stories can be
seen all over.

Balustrades have inverted bell-like structures on them. At first glance, they appear like a
votive stupa but then they could as well be Puran Ghatak or the full pot as well. If there is
another meaning you know of, I am keen to know.

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Nandi temple – Contains a statue of bull Nandi belonging to Shiva, as well as the statue of
Chandra the god of the moon, and Surya the god of the sun. Chandra stands on his carriage
pulled by 10 horses, and the statue of Surya is also standing on a carriage pulled by 7 horses.

Sun & Moon in Nandi Temple

The Nandi temple/Two statues of Chandra (Moon) & Surya (Sun) flank the Nandi Bull.
Whether these idols belong to this place or were kept here later.

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Vishnu Temple
The Vishnu temple is a bit smaller than the Shiva temple but built in the same style. Narrow
tall temple with pointed shikhara in dark gray stone. Vishnu idol has all the icons of Vishnu –
it holds Shankh (conch), Chakra (wheel), Gada (mace), Padam (lotus flower)in its four hands.
He stands on a lotus. However, the lotus is on top of a Yoni, which is unique. I wonder if
there was a tradition of doing so or is it also a result of restoration. Shiva and Vishnu idols are
similar in the sense they both stand on the lotus on top of Yoni.

Carved panel of Vishnu Temple

The Pradakshina path or circumambulation path in this temple is sculpted with stories
from the Bhagwad Puran. The Candi Vishnu temple is smaller than the impressive Shiva
Mahadeva temple and sits just north of it, reaching 33 m in height. Of course, we had to walk
the steep stairs up to the top plateau. And it was totally worth the climb as the temple is
magnificent containing reliefs telling the story of Lord Krishna who is the hero of the
Mahabharata story.

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The most impressive part of this temple is, in my opinion, the statue of a four-armed Vishnu
the Preserver in the inner chamber. It is so really big and beautifully carved.

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 BRAHMA TEMPLE

This temple is the twin temple of Candi Vishnu, as they are exactly similar! It is situated just
south of the big Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple, so the two twin temples make a nice

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symmetric scene.

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Brahma temple is beautifully carved with the final scenes of the story of Ramayana (starting
in the Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple).When you enter this temple, look up and admire the
spectacular “monster mouth” doorway, which is beautiful

The monster mouth doorway of Brahma temple

Brahma temple has the most impressive statues of them all, in my opinion, a four-headed
statue of Brahma – the God of Creation. This is my favorite of all the Hindu god statues of

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Prambanan.

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dIn front of the big Shiva temple are three smaller temple dedicated to the vehicle (vahana) o
the respective Gods

Hamsa/ Angsa temple – Hamsa or the Swan is Brahma’s vehicle. A temple dedicated to
Hamsa stands opposite the Brahma temple.Most other temples are in ruins and you can just
this representation of the temples as they were organized originally. Contains no statue, but it
probably once housed a statue of the sacred swan Hamsa for the god Brahma. Garuda Temple

Vahana temple of Brahma

Opposite the Vishnu temple is a small temple dedicated to his Vahana or vehicle – Garuda.
Unfortunately, the temple is empty and the statue of Garuda is missing. However, visiting
these temples is almost like visiting the garage of the gods, where their vehicle are
parked.The Brahma idol inside is a 3 faced standing figure of Brahma. He also stands on a
lotus that is sitting on a Yoni.

Garuda temple – Neither this temple contains a statue. Probably this temple once contained
the statue of kite Garuda belonging to god Vishnu. Garuda holds an important role for
Indonesia, as it serves as the national symbol of Indonesia, and also as the name of the airline
Garuda Indonesia.

There are also small groups of temples in the outer area of Prambanan, like Plaosan Temples
(3 km northeast of Prambanan), Kraton Ratu Boko (palace of King Boko) south of
Prambanan, and a group west of Prambanan containing three temples.There is also a popular
ballet held at the outdoor theatre next to the Prambanan main complex which is supposed to
be spectacular. The ballet tells the story of Ramayana that is carved onto the walls of the
Prambanan temples.

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Prambanan turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit to Yogyakarta, and it totally
surprised us. We really enjoyed our afternoon strolling around the temples and the lush and

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green garden surrounding them, taking in the atmosphere and the history. It kind of has the
same feel to it as Angkor Wat, which is one of our favorite places to visit in Asia.

History of Prambanan

Kuber bas-relief
Prambanan is the largest temple complex of Java island in Indonesia.Estimated to have been
built in mid 9th CE by the Sanjaya dynasty. Built following the Shailendra dynasty who had
built Borobudur Temple. The temple was further enhanced by the Mataram kings.River Opak
runs behind the temple & some records say that the course of the river was altered to

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construct the temple.

Ruins and Remains

Temple was probably abandoned in early 10th CE when Mount Merapi erupted and the court
was moved out of this region. It again suffered during the 16th CE and 2006 earthquakes,
which may be responsible for all the fallen temples that we see there. However, during the
recent volcanic eruption of Nov 2010, the temple remained safe due to the direction of
eruption.Like Borobudur, this temple complex was also discovered by Thomas Stamford
Raffles. I guess Yogyakarta owes its heritage rediscovery to him. Most of the temples were
reconstructed after this discovery. In fact, the construction efforts are still on in a way.

Famous Roro Jonggrang Legend of Prambanan Temple

Rara or Roro is how the unmarried noblewomen are addressed in Java. The legend goes back
to a war between neighboring Pengging and Boko kingdoms, the prince of Pengging killed
the king of Boko. The prince, however, is mesmerized by the beauty of the grieving princess
and proposes marriage. After a few rounds of rejection and persuasion, the princess agrees on
two conditions. The first condition was to build a well and the second was to build 1000
temples in one night. Prince agrees. Yes, a lovestruck man can agree to anything.Using his
supernatural powers he built the 1000 temples overnight. The princess, however, played a
trick and asked her maids to lit a fire and make noise so that spirits building the temples think

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it is already morning. When the prince discovered the deceit, he cursed the princess and
turned her into stone. It is believed that she stays in stone form as the virgin goddess – in a
way completing the last temple herself.

Ruins of temples
Ramayana is performed as a Javanese dance drama at the Trimurti open-air theater, across the
river Opak. It is performed on every full moon night or Purnima. I will go back to Prambanan
for this one day. I know I can see it on YouTube probably, but that will never give me the
feeling of sitting next to these temples and temple ruins and watching an ancient dance form
performing probably the oldest known story in the world.

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