Candi of Indonesia

A candi (pronounced [tʃandi] ) is a Hindu or Buddhist temple in Indonesia, mostly built during the Zaman Hindu-Buddha or "Hindu-Buddhist period" between circa the 4th and 15th centuries.^[1]

The Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia defines a candi as an ancient stone building used for worship, or for storing the ashes of cremated Hindu or Buddhist kings and priests.^[2] Indonesian archaeologists describe candis as sacred structures of Hindu and Buddhist heritage, used for religious rituals and ceremonies in Indonesia.^[3] However, ancient secular structures such as gates, urban ruins, pools and bathing places are often called candi too, while a shrine that specifically serves as a tomb is called a cungkup.^[1]

In Hindu Balinese architecture, the term candi refers to a stone or brick structure of single-celled shrine with portico, entrance and stairs, topped with pyramidal roof and located within a pura. It is often modeled after East Javanese temples, and functions as a shrine to a certain deity. To the Balinese, a candi is not necessarily ancient, since candis continue to be (re-)built within these puras, such as the reconstructed temple in Alas Purwo, Banyuwangi.^[4]

In contemporary Indonesian Buddhist perspective, candi also refers to a shrine, either ancient or new. Several contemporary viharas in Indonesia for example, contain the actual-size replica or reconstruction of famous Buddhist temples, such as the replica of Pawon^[5] and Plaosan's perwara (ancillary) temples. In Buddhism, the role of a candi as a shrine is sometimes interchangeable with a stupa, a domed structure to store Buddhist relics or the ashes of cremated Buddhist priests, patrons or benefactors. Borobudur, Muara Takus and Batujaya for example are actually elaborate stupas.

In modern Indonesian language, the term candi can be translated as "temple" or similar structure, especially of Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Thus temples of Cambodia (such as the Angkor Wat), Champa (Central and Southern Vietnam), Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and India are also called candi in Indonesian.

(in Buddhism: Kāmadhātu), the lowest realm of common mortals; humans, animals also demons. Where humans still bound by their lust, desire and unholy way of life. The outer courtyard and the foot (base) part of each temples is symbolized the realm of bhurloka.

Bhurloka

(in Buddhism: Rupadhatu), the middle realm of holy people, rishis, ascetics, and lesser gods. People here began to see the light of truth. The middle courtyard and the body of each temples is symbolized the realm of bhuvarloka.

Bhuvarloka

(in Buddhism: Arupadhatu), the highest and holiest realm of gods, also known as svargaloka. The inner courtyard and the roof of each temples is symbolized the realm of svarloka. The roof of Hindu structure usually crowned with ratna (Sanskrit: jewel) or vajra, or in eastern Java period, crowned by cube structure. While stupa or dagoba cylindrical structure served as the pinnacle of Buddhist ones.

Svarloka

is an extrusive igneous volcanic rock, of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. Its colour ranges from light to dark grey. Andesite is especially abundant in the volcanic island of Java, mined from a certain cliffs or stone quarry with andesite deposit formed from compressed ancient magma chamber or cooled down lava spill. Each andesite stone is custom made into blocks with interlocking technique, to construct temple walls, floors and building. Andesite stones are easily formed and carved with iron chisel, making it a suitable material for temple walls and decorations carved as bas-reliefs. The walls of andesite was then carved with exquisite narrative bas-reliefs, which can be observed in many temples, especially in Borobudur and Prambanan. Andesite rocks are also used as the material for carved statues: the images of deities and Buddha.

Andesite

Most of well-preserved candi in Indonesia are made from andesite stone. This is mainly owed to the stone's durability, compared to bricks, against tropical weathers and torrential rains. Nevertheless, certain periods, especially the Majapahit era, saw the extensive use of red brick as temple and building materials. The materials commonly used in temple construction in Indonesia are:

a compound of Buddhist Stupa made from red brick and mortar located at Batu Jaya, Karawang, West Java. Probably dated back to Tarumanagara kingdom in the 6th century AD.^[24]

Batujaya

a compound of Vishnuite Hindu temples made from red brick and mortar also located at Batu Jaya, Karawang, West Java.^[25] Probably linked to Tarumanagara kingdom in the 6th century AD.

Cibuaya

ruins of Hindu temple in Rancaekek, Bandung Regency.

Bojongmenje

the only one of the last few surviving West Javanese Hindu temples to be dated as early as the 8th century (approximately). It is located at Leles, Garut, West Java. Located on an island in the middle of a lake covered by water lilies. Unlike other Javanese temple characteristics by grand architecture, Cangkuang temple is more modest with only one structure still standing.^[26] Shiva statue faces east toward the sunrise. Date uncertain.

Candi Cangkuang

Blandongan, Batujaya, 2nd to 12th century, Karawang, West Java

Gumpung, Muaro Jambi, 7th–12th century, Jambi

Bojongmenje, 7th century, Rancaekek, Bandung, West Java

Cangkuang, 8th century, Leles, Garut, West Java

Candi Bima, 7th–8th century, Dieng Plateau

Candi Puntadewa, 7th–8th century, Dieng Plateau

Candi Arjuna, 7th–8th century, Dieng Plateau

Candi Srikandi, 7th–8th century, Dieng Plateau

Candi Gatotkaca, 7th–8th century, Dieng Plateau

Candi Semar, 7th–8th century, Dieng Plateau

Candi Gedong Songo, 7th–8th century, Ungaran

Gunung Wukir, 8th century, Muntilan

Badut temple, 8th century, Malang

Kalasan temple, 8th century, near Prambanan

Sari temple, 8th century

Lumbung, 8th century

Sewu, 8th century, Central Java

Bubrah, 8th century, part of Sewu Mandala

Gana temple, 8th century, part of Sewu Mandala

Ngawen temple, 8th century, Muntilan, Central Java

Mendut temple, 8th century, near Borobudur

Candi Gebang, 8th–9th century, Yogyakarta

Asu Temple, 8th–9th century, Sengi, Magelang

Lumbung Sengi temple, 8th–9th century, Sengi, Sawangan, Magelang

Pawon temple, 9th century, between Borobudur and Mendut

Borobudur, 9th century, Magelang, Central Java, world's largest Buddhist monument

Plaosan, 9th century

Plaosan Kidul, 9th century

Prambanan, 9th century, the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia

Sojiwan, 9th century, near Prambanan

Banyunibo, 9th century

Sambisari, 9th century

Barong temple, 9th century

Kimpulan, 9th–10th century, Kaliurang, Yogyakarta

Morangan temple, 9th–10th century, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta

Merak temple, 10th century, Klaten, Central Java

Ijo Temple, 10th–11th century, Yogyakarta

Belahan temple, fountain and pool, 11th century, Mount Penanggungan, Gempol, Pasuruan, East Java

Candi Gunung Gangsir, 11th century, Pasuruan, East Java

Candi Mengening, 11th century, Tampaksiring, Bali

Gunung Kawi, 11th century, Tampak Siring, Bali

Muara Takus, 11th–12th century, Riau

Bahal temple, 11th–13th century, North Sumatra

Penataran, 12th–15th century, Blitar

Kidal, 13th century, Malang

Jago, 13th century, Malang

Jawi, 13th century, Prigen, Pasuruan

Candi Plumbangan, 14th century, Blitar, East Java

Simping temple, 14th century, Sumberjati, Blitar, East Java

Candi Gayatri, 14th century, Boyolangu, Tulungagung, East Java

Brahu, Trowulan, 14th century

Candi Wringin Lawang, Trowulan, 14th century

Bajang Ratu, Trowulan, 14th century

Candi Tikus, Trowulan, 14th century

Candi Rimbi, Jombang, 14th century

Surawana temple, Kediri, 14th century

Jabung, Paiton, Probolinggo, 14th century

Candi Bangkal, Mojokerto, 14th century

Candi Pari, 14th century, Porong, Sidoarjo

Sukuh, 15th century, Karanganyar

Ceto, 15th century, Karanganyar

Dermo temple, 14th century, Sidoarjo

Indonesian candi, Hindu-Buddhist temples, dated from the oldest circa 2nd century, to latest, circa 15th century.

Architecture of Indonesia

Ancient temples of Java

Balinese temple

Buddhism in Indonesia

Buddhist architecture

Burmese pagoda

Candi bentar

Cetiya

Chaitya

Hinduism in Indonesia

Hinduism in Java

Hindu temple architecture

History of Indian influence on Southeast Asia

Indonesian Esoteric Buddhism

temples in Myanmar

Kyaung

Pagodas

Sand pagoda

Stupa

Vihāra

temples in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos

Wat

Dumarcay, J. 1986 Temples of Java Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press

Holt, C. 1967 Art in Indonesia Ithaca: Cornell University

Patt, J.A. 1979 The Uses and Symbolism of Water in Ancient Indonesian Temple Architecture University of California, Berkeley (unublished PhD thesis)

Prijotomo, J. 1984 Ideas and Forms of Javanese Architecture Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press

Degroot, Véronique 2009 Leiden: Sidestone Press, Issue 38 of Mededelingen van het Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden, ISBN 9088900396

Candi, Space and Landscape: A Study on the Distribution, Orientation and Spatial Organization of Central Javanese Temple Remains

(archived 3 July 2013)

List of Candi, National Library of Indonesia

(archived 25 October 2006)