CANDI PLAOSAN, Juxtaposition of Hinduism and Buddhism Temple

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Explore Jogja Category : Heritage
CANDI PLAOSAN, Juxtaposition of Hinduism and Buddhism Temple

CANDI PLAOSAN, Juxtaposition of Hinduism and Buddhism Temple Sri Maharaja Rakai Pikatan, leader of ancient mataram kingdom who ruled Central Java in 9th century, wished after his wedding with Pramudhawardhani that his dynasty would ruled for longest time than the other empire. He dream that glorious empire could be role-model for any empire southern Java. So he built a temple in northern Jogja, named Candi Plaosan, based on the Plaosan Village, the nearest village of the temple. Plaosan Temple located 2 kilometres to the east from Sewu Temple.

Although Sri Maharaja Rakai Pikatan is Hindu, he built Plaosan Temple with a touch of Buddhism. The religion from his wife and his dynasty had influenced his masterpiece. There are 2 templei in the north side, named Candi Plaosan Lor, which has some Boddhisatva and woman goddess from Hinduism religion figure in the each stone wall. Inside each candi have 8 squares which separated into 2 sides, upper and below. Outside of temple, lots stupa surrounding it. On the west of Candi Plaosan Lor there are 2 human sculptures which sit, knife on his side, snake hold in their hands and big teeth on their face called Dwarapala.

At the south side, there is Candi Plaosan Kidul which has 5 meter high structured by black square stone, looks heavy and strong. As the same of candi on north side, this temple also has 8 squares which has Boddhisatva relief is the center building. Its name is Mother of All Buddha. Mujasri, a figure of Buddha found in The Candi Sewu, also find here. Candi Plaosan totally has 116 stupa and 50 candi perwara, or little candi which can see on the best figure from the outside of the complex. Walking on the village road, the figure of the candi appears behind of rural daily life.

Surrounding Sewu Temple is rice fields. In the dry season, it becomes cornfields and cassava fields. In the hinterland of Java Island, most people are farmers. When it came pre-harvest season, it's very beautiful to see yellow carpet rice as a major landscape right there. Local people say that Sewu Temple also a home for Dewi Sri, goddess for mother earth, especially for farmer and breeder.