sukuh temple and indonesian

Majapahit kingdom based in East Java has a heritage which was still firmly stands in the Central Java region, precisely in the slopes of Mount Lawu. Interestingly, this temple is said to be the most erotic temples around the world. Why?

Because standing in the altitude, fresh air greeted me as soon as set foot in this Sukuh site. A temple-shaped gate punden first to greet me. A staircase leading to the wide fence held up by two coincide. I'm sure once this is the entrance to the building above it. When I go there, the fence was locked. But the interesting thing is on the floor just at the gate there is a phallus and yoni are facing. Phallus and the yoni is the representation of the genitals of men and women. Often, too, agreed as a symbol of fertility.

It's right at the entrance to this and so in fact make people often call it a taboo temples. In fact, it could be according to the Javanese culture will be a symbol-laden, and yoni phallus placement was as repellent reinforcements for those who want entry into the temple.

Travel to Temple Sukuh I travel from the Karanganyar. Lawu up to the slopes, taking the same direction with the Tawangmangu. Exact location in the District Sukuh. Quite easily find, because this temple has become the identity for the citizens Karanganyar District.

According to local belief, phallus and yoni in the gate used to be often used as a means to test the purity of women with stepping symbol. If he uses kebaya cloth torn means that women sanctity, but if the cloth off kebaya, the women were believed to have lost their virginity.

On the second terrace there is also the gate but his condition has now been broken. On the right and left gate that usually there is a statue or Dwarapala doorman, found also, but in disrepair and is no longer clear shape. Gate was not on the porch roof and was not found a lot of statues. But at this gate there is a candrasangkala also in the Javanese language, which reads anahut wiku elephant tails. This means that in the Indonesian language is the "elephant's tail biting priest". These words have meaning 8, 7, 3, and 1. If you get behind the Saka year 1378 or the year 1456 AD. So if the numbers are correct, then there is a difference almost twenty years with the first gate on the porch!

At this location there are two statues of Garuda, which is part of the story Amrita Tirta searches contained in the book Adiparwa, the first book of the Mahabharata. At the tail of the Garuda is an inscription. Then as part of the quest story Tirta Amrita (water of life) in this section there are three tortoise statue symbolizing the earth and the embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Tortoise form it resembles a table and there is a possibility it was designed as a place to put offerings. A truncated pyramid symbolizes peak taken mountain peak Mandaragiri to stir up the ocean for Amrita Tirta.

beauty of bali indonesia

Bali is an island in Indonesia, but it's also one of the provinces of Indonesia. Bali lies between Java and Lombok Island. Denpasar is the capital of his province, which is located in the south of the island. The majority of Balinese are Hindu. In the world famous Bali as a tourist destination with a unique variety of art-culture results, especially for the Japanese and Australian tourists. Bali is also known as Island of the Gods.

Balinese culture and have a strong influence of Indian culture, the faster the process after the 1st century AD. Name Balidwipa (island) start found in various inscriptions, including inscriptions Blanjong charter issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD and mentioning Walidwipa said. It is estimated that around this time that subak irrigation system for rice cultivation started to be developed. Some religious and cultural traditions also began to develop at that time. Kingdom of Majapahit (1293-1500 AD) a Hindu and centered on the island of Java, had founded the kingdom of subordinates in Bali around 1343 AD It was almost the entire archipelago are Hindus, but as the arrival of Islam stands Islamic kingdoms in the archipelago, among other things caused the collapse of Majapahit. Many nobles, priests, artists, and other Hindu community when it was away from the island of Java to Bali. West Bali National Park is the only National Park in the island of Bali, located in Jembrana and Buleleng, to 3 hours drive from Kuta.

Located in the western part of the island of Bali, in the Village District Source Klampok Gerokgak about 70 km west of Singaraja City. West Bali National Park (TNBB) covers an area of 7700 km 2, most of the area in Buleleng regency region and the rest in Jembrana Regency.

This area was officially declared a national park through the forestry director-general's decision in 1984 with the aim to protect and preserve the existence of flora and fauna. The most famous fauna is Bali Starling or Bali Starling, a highly protected species. This area is the natural habitat of the white starling not available elsewhere in the world. Bali starlings are excellent wildlife parks, and includes birds that dude who always loved the clean habitat, and cruise flight is never far away. These birds require extra care and strict supervision, because the population is low and easy to catch.

Tourism Places of Interest in Bali:

• Kintamani
• Dreamland Beach
• alan Celuk Karangasem - Singaraja
• Sukawati Art Market
• Ubud
• Uluwatu
• Bedugul
• Nusa Dua - Tanjung Benoa

If you go to Richards Bay will feel how religious island. Nusa Penida is a coral island that is a big pillar of protecting the island bali ocean wave attack indoneasia / Indian Ocean. The island is like a big rock pile that stood rooted like a very robust to all corners of the earth. Because the reef is made of Nusa Penida is mostly dry land, and indeed the difficult existence of fresh water is much less in the interior and the high plains. Never mind the water, fertile land was hard to find to grow crops. Do not expect the green rice fields irrigated by the water runs clear and fresh fish arriving in the gutter, there are terraces of rock and scrub with dry leaves, grass fire lane roads and fields bertanahkan rock fracture fault-ditch without being seen much less water flowing . Plants were not all species can live in soil like this. Along the way will be seen hibiscus plant species that deliberately bent the trunk to be used as a fishing djoekoengs yarn.
In the land lot, but you can see the natural beauty of Bali with beautiful beaches and waves crashing on the rocks surrounding areas of land lots, you'll also see the right temple on the hill. A large temple and still active today. In this land also lots you can see the dance bali dance kecak. Dance of the art culture in Bali is used for the event - special events in Bali.



Along the East Bali, like in the western part of Lombok. The road was in the high cliffs and the sea seems far below. Some appeared in a fishing village with a ship under colorful painted. Seem exotic from a height. In the village and KUSAMBI Batumanak author paused. There is a blank bale in height. And there appears under a small island of Gili hose. Batumanak fishing village nearby. Adjacent to his left only a few hundred meters, the village KUSAMBI.

The most famous is probably the East Bali Amed. The village is the location of snorkeling and diving are so famous. Many hotels and inns scattered on either side of the road. And locations for marine sports. Many northern foot or bike ride passed on the road. On the side of the road offers some ads for meditation exercises. Amed seems to be a village where many tourists visited the country, at first glance looks like Kuta.

beauty of sewu temple indonesia

Sewu Temple is a Buddhist temple built in the 8th century, which is only eight hundred meters to the north of Prambanan Temple. Sewu temple complex is the second largest Buddhist temple after the temple of Borobudur in Central Java. Sewu temple older than the temple of Prambanan. Although originally there were 257 temples, by the local community of this temple is called Temple "Sewu" which means "thousand" in Javanese. The naming is based on the legend Loro Jonggrang .

Based on the inscription dated 792 and was discovered in 1960, the original name of this building is "Manjus'ri Grha" (House of Manjusri). Manjusri is one of the teachings of buddha Boddhisatwa. Estimated Sewu Temple was built in the 8th century BC at the end of the reign of Rakai Panangkaran. Rakai Panangkaran (746 to 784) was king of the kingdom of Mataram termahsyur Ancient. This temple complex may be renovated, expanded, and completed in the reign of Rakai Pikatan, a prince of the dynasty who married Sanjaya Pramodhawardhani Sailendra dynasty. After Sanjaya dynasty remained in power the people embraced the religion earlier. The existence of a patterned temple buddha Sewu side by side with a patterned Prambanan Hindu shows that since time immemorial in Java Hindus and Buddhists live in harmony and religious intolerance. Because of the complex grandeur and breadth of this temple, the temple is a temple allegedly Sewu Buddhist kingdom, as well as the center of religious activities are important buddha in the past. This temple is located in the Prambanan valley which stretches from the southern slope of Mount Merapi in the north to the mountains in the south Sewu, around the border of Yogyakarta in Klaten regency, Central Java. In this valley scattered temples and archaeological sites is only a few hundred yards of each other. This shows that this region is an important area in the religious sector, politics, and urban life of the ancient Javanese society.

This temple was badly damaged by an earthquake in May 2006 in Yogyakarta. Damage to the building structure is very real and the main temple suffered the most severe damage. Rock fragments scattered on the ground, cracks and cracks between stones visible connection. To prevent the collapse of buildings, steel frame mounted on four corners of the building to support and hold the main temple body. Although the site reopened to visitors a few weeks later after the earthquake in 2006, all the main temple remains closed and off limits for security reasons.

Temple complex.

Sewu temple complex is a collection of the biggest buddha temple in the area around Prambanan, a landscape the size of land 185 meters north-south and 165 meters east-west. The entrance to the complex can be found in the four corners of the compass, but look at the composition of the building, known to the main entrance is located on the east side. Each entrance is guarded by a pair of statues Dwarapala. Giant statues guard the high measuring about 2 meters in good condition, and a replica can be found at the Yogyakarta Palace. Originally there were 257 temples in the complex of buildings is arranged to form mandala, manifestation of the universe in the Mahayana Buddhist cosmology. Small temple consisting of 248 men with a similar design and is composed of four concentric rows. The two outer rows consist of 176 small temples arranged nearby. While the two innermost lines 72 consisting of a rather large temple is composed by a certain distance interval. Many statues and ornaments that had been lost and its structure has changed. Buddha statues that used to fill these temples are similar to mengkin buddha statues at Borobudur.

On the stretch of the central axis, the north-south and east-west, at 200 meters distance from each other, Atara row-2 and to 3 small temples are temples perwara (guards), the temples are the second largest in size after the main temple. The original in every corner of the compass are each a pair of temples perwara the line of sight, but now only perwara twin temples of the east and north perwara temple are still intact. Temples smaller surround the main temple of the greatest, but some parts are no longer intact. Rows behind the small temple there are 4 bare stone courtyard and the main temple stands in center.

The main temple has a plan of polygons that resembles the 20-angle cross or a cross 29 meters in diameter and height of the building reaches 30 meters. At every corner there are cardinal structure jutting out, each with its own staircase and the room arrangement and crowned with a stupa. The entire building is made of andesite stone. The room in the four cardinal directions are mutually connected by a gallery corner fenced balcony. Based on the findings at the time of restoration, estimated initial design of the building just a single-room main temple. This temple was later expanded by adding additional structures around it. The door is made to connect additional buildings to the main temple and created main temple building with five rooms. The main room in the middle of larger higher roof, and can be entered through the eastern room. Now there are five statues in this room. However, based on a foundation or carved stone lotus throne in the main room, allegedly used in this room there is a statue bronze buddha of the material that reaches 4 feet tall. But now the statue was gone, may have been plundered to take the metal since centuries ago.

source: wikipedia

beauty of mendut temple indonesia

Mendut temple is a Buddhist background. This temple is located in the village Mendut Mungkid district, Magelang regency, Central Java, a few kilometers from Borobudur temple. Mendut founded during the reign of King Indra Sailendra dynasty. In the inscription of bertarikh Karangtengah 824 AD, mentioned that the king Indra has built shrine called veluvana which means bamboo forests. By a Dutch archaeologist named J.G. de Casparis, these words related to Mendut.

Actual temple building materials are brick covered with natural stone. The building is located on a high basement, which looks more elegant and sturdy. Climbed the stairs and the entrance facing southwest. In the basement there are surrounding the hall of the temple body. The roof and decorated three-story with small stupas. The number of small stupas built now is 48 pieces. Decoration found in the form of decorative Mendut intermittent. Decorated with carved celestial beings and angels in the form bidadara, two monkeys and an eagle. On both sides there are stairs reliefs Panchatantra and Jataka stories. Decorated the temple walls Boddhisatwa in Awalokiteśwara them, Maitreya, Wajrapāṇi and Manjusri. On the wall there are reliefs of the temple body Kalpataru, two angels, Hariti (a yaksi who repent and then follow the Buddha) and Āţawaka.
Buddha in dharmacakramudra position.

In the main temple there is a large Buddhist statues of three: the Dhyani Buddha with his hand Wairocana (mudra) dharmacakramudra. In front of the Buddha statues there were wheel-shaped relief and flanked by a pair of deer, the symbol of Buddha. On the left there is a statue Awalokiteśwara (Padmapāņi) and the right Wajrapāņi statue. Now in front of the statue of Buddha placed hio-hio and baskets to contribute. The visitors could light an incense and prayed here.

Chronology of discovery

1. 1. 1836 - Found and cleaned
2. 2. 1897 - 1904 feet and the body of the temple repaired but less satisfactory results.
3. 3. 1908 - Corrected by Theodoor van Erp. Peak can be reconstructed.
4. 4. 1925 - a number of stupas rearranged. 

Relief's

• Relief 1 (Brahmana and a crab). Brahmin and a relief kepiting.Pada paintings have a story or a fable animals known from the Panchatantra or Jataka. The full story like this: So is a Brahmin who came from the underworld and named Dwijeswara. He was very fond of all kinds hewan.Maka he proceeded to pray on the mountain and met with a crab on top of a mountain called Astapada, brought in clothes. Then the Brahmin said: "Kubawanya to the river, because I felt sorry for." Then she began to walk and meet with a retreat center on the riverbank. Then dilepaslah the crab by the Brahmins. The Astapada was relieved heart. While the Brahmins rest in these halls. He slept with Grace, her comfortable. Is a snake who make friends with a crow and a threat to the Brahmins. So the snake said to his friend the Raven: "If anyone comes in here to sleep, tell me, I'm the prey." The crow saw the Brahmins sleeping in halls. Quickly exit the snake said: "I want to devour her friend." Crab mereka.Si That agreement brought by the Brahmins to hear. Then said the crab in the heart: "Oh, really terrible crimes of the crow and the snake. Equally bad behavior. "Occurred to him that the crabs are indebted to the Brahmins. He wanted to settle their debts, so he thought. "There siasatku, I'll be friends with them." Then the crab said, "O two companions, you'll kupanjangkan neck, so that more enjoyable if you want to devour the Brahmins." - "I agree with your proposal, immediately. "So said the raven and the snake both. Second, they participate and submit their necks on the disupit there and here by the crabs and they broke instantly. Perish the raven and the snake.
• Relief 2 (Swan and turtles). Geese and turtles have kuraPada relief painting animal stories or fables known from the Panchatantra or Jataka. The full story is presented below. But the story is presented below is somewhat different version of the painting on this relief: There is a turtle living in the lake Kumudawati. The lake is very scenic, lots tunjungnya beranekawarna, there is a white, red and (lotus) biru. There gander female, running around trying to eat at the origin Kumudawati lake water from the pond goose Manasasara.Adapun name, the Cakrangga (name) gander, the Cakranggi (name) a female swan. They were living together at the lake Kumudawati. So already lamalah friends with a turtle. The Durbudi (a) the male, while the Kacapa (a) of the females. Then comes the season's almost dry. Water in the lake Kumudawati more mengeringlah. [Both] geese, the Cakrangga and the Cakranggi then said goodbye to their friend the tortoise; the Durbudi and the Kacapa. He said: "O friends, we ask ourselves away from here. We want to go from here, because the more mengeringlah water in the lake. Especially before the season we kemarau.Tidak kuasalah far from water. That's why we want to fly from here, fled to a mountain lake called Manasasana Himawan. Very pure water is clear and deep. Does not dry even though the dry season. That's where our goal comrade. "That said the tortoise angsa.Maka the kurapun answered, saying:" Ah friend, our great love to you, now you will leave us, trying to life itself. Is not (it) as we are with you, not far from the water? Wherever you go we will go, in joy and sorrow you. This is the result of our friendship with you. Goose replied: "Well the tortoise. We have reason. This is wood, pagutlah middle by you, we'll embrace it and end here with my wife. Be strong we will bring you fly, [just] do not loose your bite, and again do not talk. Everything that we overcome as long as we fly you up, you should not reprimanded as well. If anyone asked nor answered. That's what you should do, do not comply with our words. If you do not follow our instructions will not work you get to their destination, will end up dead. "And so said the goose. Then dipagutlah the middle of the wood turtle, tip and the base pecked by a swan, there and here, he bini, right kiri.Segera carried by geese fly, will travel to the lake Manasasara, the expected destination. Has much to fly them, arrived on the field is Wilanggala.Maka male and female dogs who take shelter under a mango tree. Nohan the male dog's name, the name of the female Babyan. So mendongaklah female dog, saw the geese fly, they just fly the tortoise. Then he said. "O my father, look at it there is something very unlikely. Turtle flown by a pair of geese! "Then the dog said:" It's impossible words. Since when there is a turtle that was brought by the geese fly? Not the tortoise but dry buffalo dung, nest-gift gift! By-by for the gosling, there it is! "So said the male dog. Heard the words of the dog by the tortoise, he thought flew into a rage. Bergetarlah mouth because it is considered dry buffalo dung, nests gift-gift. So mengangalah mouth of the turtle, wood off dipagutnyam fell to the ground and then eaten by wolves and betina.Si male swans are not adhered to his advice embarrassment. Then they continued on flying into the lake Manasasara.
• Relief 3 (Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi). Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi. This story is about two friends children of merchants. One day Dharmabuddhi find the money and told his friend Dustabuddhi. Then they both hid the money under a tree. Every time they needed money, Dharmabuddhi take part and share fairly. But Dustabuddhi not satisfied and one day take all the money left. He then accused Dharmabuddhi and dragged him to court. But Dustabuddhi finally caught and punished.
• Relief 4 (Two different parrot). Two different parrot. This relief depicts the story of two sisters parakeet behavior but differ because one is educated by a highwayman. Meanwhile, one by a priest.

Mendut Buddhist Vihara.

Right next Mendut Mendut Buddhist monasteries there. This monastery was formerly a Catholic monastery that later divided the land to the people in the 1950s. Then the people of the land was purchased by a foundation on which Buddhist monastery was built. In this monastery there are dormitories, places of worship, parks, and several statues of Buddha. Some of them are donated by Japan.

source: wikipedia

beauty of borobudur indonesia

Borobudur temple is located in Magelang, Central Java, about 40 km from Yogyakarta. Borobudur Temple has 10 levels consisting of 6 levels of a square, circular level 3 circular and a main stupa as a peak. At every level there are several stupas. Altogether there are 72 domes in addition to the main stupa. In every stupa there is a statue of Buddha. Ten levels of Buddhist philosophy which describes the ten levels of Bodhisattva which must pass to reach the perfection of the Buddha in nirvana. This perfection symbolized by the main stupa at the top level. Borobudur structure when viewed from above form a mandala structure depicting Buddhist cosmology and the human thinking.

Borobudur was built around 800 BC or 9th century. Borobudur Temple was built by the Mahayana Buddhists during the reign Sailendra. This temple was built in the heyday of Sailendra dynasty. The founder of the Borobudur Temple King Samaratungga from Sailendra dynasty or dynasties. The possibility of this temple was built around 824 AD and was completed around the year 900 AD in the reign of Queen Pramudawardhani who is the daughter of Samaratungga. While architects who contributed to build this temple according to the story of a hereditary named Gunadharma.

Borobudur own words based on the first written evidence, written by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Governor General of the United Kingdom in Java, which gives the name of this temple. There is no written evidence that older who named this temple of Borobudur on. The only document that shows the existence of the oldest temple is Nagarakretagama book, written by mpu Prapanca in 1365. In the book was written that this temple was used as a place of Buddhist meditation.

The meaning of the name Borobudur "abbey in the hills", which comes from the word "bara" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high places) in Sanskrit. Therefore, in accordance with the meaning of the name Borobudur, then this place since long ago used as a place of Buddhist worship.

This temple for centuries no longer used. Then because of volcanic eruptions, most of the buildings covered Borobudur volcanic soil. In addition, the building is covered with trees and shrubs for centuries. Then the building of this temple began in the time-forgotten Islam arrived in Indonesia around the 15th century.

In the year 1814 when the British occupied Indonesia, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles heard of the discovery of huge archaeological objects in the village of Magelang district Bumisegoro. Because of the great interest of the history of Java, then immediately ordered Raffles HC Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, to investigate the discovery of the location was a hill covered with shrubs.

Cornelius assisted by about 200 men cut down trees and remove shrubs that covered the giant building. Because the building is considered fragile and could collapse, then report to the Raffles Cornelius invention includes several images. Since the discovery, Raffles received an award as one who started the restoration of Borobudur and world attention. In 1835, the entire area of the temple has been unearthed. This temple was restored to keep the Dutch colonial period.

This huge building just a giant pile of stone blocks which have a total height of 42 meters. Each stone connected without using cement or adhesive. These stones are only connected by patterns and stacked. The base of Borobudur temple is about 118 m on each side. The stones used approximately 55,000 cubic meters. All the stones are taken from the river around the Borobudur Temple. These stones are cut and then transported and connected with a pattern like lego game. All without using glue or cement.

After Indonesian independence, in 1956, the Indonesian government requested the assistance of UNESCO to examine the damage to Borobudur. Then in 1963, out of the official Indonesian government's decision to conduct the restoration of Borobudur temple with the help of UNESCO. However, this restoration was only really started to be done on August 10, 1973. The process of restoration was completed in 1984. Since 1991, Borobudur Temple, designated as World Heritage or World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

On the fourth side there is the temple gate and the stairs to the upper level like a pyramid. This illustrates the Buddhist philosophy that all life came from rocks. Stone later became sand, then into plants, then into the insect, then a wild animal and pets, and the last to be human. This process is known as reincarnation. The last process is the soul and finally went into nirvana. Each stage of enlightenment in this life process based on Buddhist philosophy is illustrated in reliefs and statues in the temple of Borobudur.

Meanwhile, relief began to be made after these rocks are stacked and connected end. Relief is on the temple walls. Borobudur has different relief 2670. Relief is read clockwise. This relief illustrates a story that I read it starts and ends at the gate to the east. This shows that the main gate of the Borobudur temple facing the east like most other Buddhist temples.