Southeast Asian countries have beautiful temples that attract many tourists yearly. These temples, built centuries ago, tell us stories from those times. Examples of those magnificent temples include Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Central Java, Indonesia.
Temples were built to wish to Hindu gods or to guard the graves of kings and noble families after cremation. Speaking of Hindu dynasties in Indonesia, the Majapahit Kingdom has a wealthy history, marked by temples all around the island of Java.
Majapahit became the strongest kingdom of the island of Java within the thirteenth and 14th centuries, because it encompassed an unlimited area of the region conquered from Sulawesi, Sumatra, Maluku, Papua and a few islands of Indonesia. Tumasik (Singapore) and a few small regions of the Philippines also became a part of Majapahit.
What temples symbolize the greatness of Majapahit history? Here is an inventory you’ll be able to visit so that you will not be limited to simply Borobudur.
Temple of the Mouse (Temple of the Mouse)
Candi Tikus is a Hindu temple positioned within the village of Temon, Trowulan, Mojokerto Regency. The shape of the structure is meant for the royal family who wish to bathe.
This temple was buried underground when villagers hunted mice that destroyed the rice fields. That’s why it was called Tikus Temple. Tikus means “mouse” in Indonesian and Javanese.
The Tikus Temple is estimated to have been in-built the thirteenth or 14th century. In “Nagarakertagama”, one in all the famous books created by Mpu Prapanca, it’s mentioned that this temple was once used as a washing place and a spot for ceremonial rituals of ancient kings.
Mpu Prapanca was well often called a Javanese scholar who wrote several significant literary works, in addition to a Buddhist monk.
Ceto Temple
“Cetho” is a Javanese word meaning “vivid”. From this temple we are able to see throughout clearly without anything obstructing the view. Cetho Temple is positioned in Gumeng village in Karanganyar and is positioned on land at an altitude of 1,496 meters above sea level.
This Hindu temple was built throughout the reign of Prabu Brawajaya V within the Majapahit Kingdom, around 1452–1470. After an extended time, a Dutchman named Van der Vlis discovered the Cetho temple in 1842.
Reports by researchers (W. F. Stuterheim, K. C. Crucq and A. J. Bernet Kempers) indicate that the Cetho Temple was utilized by Hindus treatment events.
Treatment is a conventional Javanese ceremony intended to cleanse and liberate an individual or place from the hazards or curses of the gods, practiced by some Javanese.
The Cetho Temple was renovated in 1970 and has since grow to be a government-protected cultural heritage site. Nowadays it’s also a famous tourist destination.
Sukuh Temple
The Sukuh Temple is a remarkable relic of Hindu architecture from the late Majapahit Kingdom. This temple overlooks an unlimited expanse of lowland plains, offering breathtaking views of distinguished peaks corresponding to Mount Telomoyo, Mount Ungaran, Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu.
Mount Lawu itself has deep spiritual significance. During Majapahit times, it was revered as a sacred area by the Hindu community in Java, as documented in Daughter-in-lawancient Javanese prose text compiled around 1557 Caka (1635 AD).
The Sukuh Temple also shows the influence of Tantrayana, a faith harmonizing Hindu and Buddhist teachings. It has Hindu religious symbols corresponding to the lingga and yoni, in addition to a bas-relief of Garuda.
Scholars and historians have long debated the aim of Candi Sukuh. Some imagine that it served as a spot for purification ceremonies, while others imagine that it was a sacred place of retreat for sages (Rsi).
Regardless of its exact function, the temple’s enigmatic design and spiritual heritage proceed to awe each visitors and researchers.
Modernization of the temple
This temple was in-built the twelfth century and was often visited by King Hayam Wuruk. Penataran Temple is positioned in Blitar, East Java Province. Penataran is a Hindu temple dedicated to the tradition of Shiva.
Hayam Wuruk was the king who led Majapahit into its golden era. During his reign, Majapahit won many battles, aided by Gajah Mada, and conquered a lot of the Indonesian islands, Singapore, and parts of the Philippines.
Archaeologists imagine that Penataran was originally named Candi Palah, as mentioned within the Palah Inscription of 1194 AD. This temple was built as a mountain sanctuary, serving as a spot of worship against the hazards posed by the volcanic activity of Mount Kelud.
The spiritual significance of the Penataran temple continued until the era of King Hayam Wuruk. According to Nagarakretagamathe king himself visited this sacred place to perform rituals in honor of Hyang Acalapat, the manifestation of Shiva as Girindra, the Lord of the Mountains.
Jabung Temple
The Jabung Temple was in-built 1354 AD within the village of Jabung in Probolinggo, East Java. This place is understood to local tourists. In Pararatonthis temple is mentioned as Bajrajinaparamitapura.
Jabung is classed as a Mahayana Buddha temple. It shows us that Majapahit greatly appreciated the Hindu and the Buddha.
Pararaton is an ancient Javanese literary work from the Majapahit era that tells the history of the Singasari kingdom in addition to the history of the Majapahit kings.
King Hayam Wuruk often visited the Jabung Temple to perform worship ceremonies. It then became a very important place of prayer for the king.
Although Majapahit was primarily a Hindu kingdom, it also honored individuals with Buddhist beliefs. The Jabung temple was used to honor the three gods in Buddhist beliefs. It can also be believed to have served because the burial place of the wife of Bjre Gundal, a royal descendant.
Today, Jabung Temple stays an lively place of worship for Buddhists. For example, in 2021, it hosted Tri Suci Waisak Day celebrations, highlighting its continuing cultural and spiritual significance.
These are five temples you’ll be able to visit if you need to learn concerning the history of Majapahit in East Java. Enjoy the scenery and great history.
