List of Hindu temples in Indonesia

The gate of Balinese Hindu temple, Pura Taman Saraswati, dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati, Ubud, Bali

This is a list of Hindu temples and their remains in Indonesia.

Hindu in Indonesia is multi-ethnic, adhered by different Indonesian ethnics, such as Balinese, Javanese, Indian and other ethnics. Majority of Indonesian Hindus are Balinese that inhabit the volcanic island of Bali and some of them has migrated elsewhere in Indonesia. While there are also a quite significant Indonesian Indian Hindus minorities settled in large cities. Numbers of Indonesian natives that adhere a form of native Austronesian ancestral and natural worship might also categorized as Hindus, such as Dayaks Kaharingan, Karo Parmalim and Sundanese Sunda Wiwitan. Hindu Dayak Kaharingan are concentrated in Central Kalimantan.

Types

The design, style, layout, architecture and decoration of Hindu temples are differs among various ethnics. Balinese Hindu temples for example is differ quite significantly to Indian Hindu temples. Indian Hindu temples are usually known by gopuram above the main gate. Different from Hindu Bali temples which do not have gopuram above the temples. Indian temples are designed as indoor house of worship, while Balinese temples are designed as open-air temple within walled compound connected by series of intricately decorated roofed gates and split gates. In Indonesia, there are roughly three types of Hindu templesː

  1. Candi, the Javanese ancient Hindu temples
  2. Pura, the Balinese temples
  3. Kuil or Mandir, the Indian Hindu temples

Candi

Main article: Candi of Indonesia
Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia

Candi is Indonesian terms to refer ancient temples. Prior to the rise of Islam, between the 5th to 15th century Dharmic faiths (Hinduism and Buddhism) were the majority in Indonesian archipelago, especially in Java and Sumatra. As the result numerous Hindu temples, locally known as candi, constructed and dominated the landscape in Java. The local belief is that Java valley had thousands of Hindu temples, which co-existed with Buddhist temples, most of which were buried in massive eruption of Mount Merapi in 1006 AD.[1][2]

Between 1100 and 1500 additional Hindu temples were built, but abandoned by Hindus and Buddhists as Islam spread in Java circa 15th to 16th century, most of these temples were abandoned and left to ruin.

In last 200 years, some of these have been rediscovered mostly by farmers while preparing their lands for crops. Most of these ancient temples were rediscovered and reconstructed between 19th to 20th century, and treated as the important archaeological findings and also as tourist attraction, but not as the house of worship. The local population mostly has converted to Islam or Christianity and practically has no connection nor recollection of Hindu rituals and traditions of their ancestors. Today, these ancient Hindu temples in Java are under the authority of Dinas Purbakala (Archaeological Authority) under the Ministry of Culture. Nevertheless, initiated by Balinese and local Hindu community, the Hindu rituals and festivals has been revived and performed in these ancient temples on certain Hindu holy days, such as those performed annually in Prambanan temple compound.

Majority of Hindu temples in Java were dedicated to Shiva, who Javanese Hindus considered as the God who commands the energy to destroy, recombine and recreate the cycle of life. Small temples were often dedicated to Siva and his family (wife Durga, son Ganesha). Larger temple complexes include temples for Vishnu and Brahma, but the most majestic, sophisticated and central temple was dedicated to Shiva. The 732 AD Canggal inscription found in Southern Central Java, written in Indonesian Sanskrit script, eulogizes Shiva, calling him God par-excellence.[3] Historical scripts suggest Javanese recognized amongst themselves three sects of Siva - Mahesvara, Buddhist (Saugata) and Mahabrahmana (Rsi). The Hindu and Buddhist temples co-existed, people intermarried, with occasional couple featuring a Hindu king and Buddhist wife as evidenced by Candi Plaosan, the husband and wife maintaining their different religious beliefs after marriage. Most of the temples are laid out in perfect squares, with secondary temples or lingas arranged geometrically or circularly. However, midst of the perfect symmetries, is present a shift of the temple complex axis and primary statue enclosure axis; this asymmetry is believed to be deliberate because the shift is always to the north and the ratio of asymmetry is exactly the same in a dozen temples where this has been measured.[4] Some of sculptures and reliefs in the temples represent Hindu dance forms, currently seen in India but not in Java. Some in temples Java have a mix of Hindu and Buddhist features which has made attribution and original purpose against later usage difficult to ascertain.

Central Java

Central Java region consist of modern Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces. Most of Hindu temples in Cantral Java region are candi or ancient temples built between 8th to 15th century. Some known Hindu temples in Java include:[5][6]

  • Candi Prambanan - the largest Hindu temples complex uncovered so far in Indonesia; it is also known as Loro Jonggrang, and it includes 240 temples; the three central temples have intricate carvings on its walls to pictorially describe all major events from the Hindu epic Ramayana.[7] The temple is still used by local Hindu minority community as a place of worship on their special days of the year.
  • Candi Ijo
  • Candi Barong
  • Candi Sambisari - located in village of Purwomartani (Kalasan), this temple is located below ground level, and is a perfect square of 13.65 x 13.65 meters and is 7 meters high; it is the most preserved and complete Hindu temple in Java from the late 9th century AD. The large linga and yoni inside the temple is made of andesite stone; the temple faces west and the yoni inside the temple faces north. The reliefs in the wall are well preserved and intricate. The temple is surrounded by a grid of 8 lingas in a precise symmetric arrangement. There is evidence that nearby farm fields are on top of walls and parts of this temple yet to be unearthed.
  • Candi Kedulan
  • Candi Gebang
  • Candi Kimpulan
  • Candi Gedong Songo - built in the early 8th century, on southern slopes of Gunung Ungaran overlooking central Java, by Wangsa Sanjaya dynasty
  • Candi Selogriyo - built in the 8th century, on slopes of Mount Sumbing overlooking rice terraces of Java
  • Candi Gunung Wukir - built before 732 AD, dedicated to God Siwa, famous for the cangaal inscription discovered in one of its wells of secondary temple. It is located in Semin village (Salam). The temple's center still has yoni, but the linga is missing.
  • Candi Morangan - built in the 9th century CE, with Siva's linga-yoni, has delicate carvings of tangled lovers and vegetation motifs on andesite stones; the temple is sometimes called fragrance-exuding temple
  • Candi Gunung Sari - located in village of Gulon (Muntilan), this is a Siva temple with barong relief suggesting a syncretic fusion of Hindu and pre-Hindu Javanese ideas
  • Candi Merak - a 10th-century Hindu temple, located east of Jogjakarta, like many other temples in Java has one main temple and three secondary temples with gupolo; the wall is carved with reliefs of Siwa's wife Durga, turtle, flowers and birds.
  • Candi Dieng
  • Candi Sukuh
  • Candi Cetho

East Java

West Java

Bali

Pura

Main article: Balinese temple
Mother temple Besakih, the largest Balinese Hindu temple in Indonesia

Pura is Balinese Hindu temples. Balinese Hinduism is the continuation of Javanese Hindu Dharmic tradition developed in Java between the 8th to 15th century. After Islam toppled Hinduism in Java circa 15th century, the remnants of this ancient Indonesian Hinduism are confined in Bali. Balinese Hinduism incorporate native Austronesian spirit and ancestral worship next to Hinduism ideas of Vedic deities, terms and rituals imported from India. In Bali, a Pura (Balinese temple) is designed as an open-air worship place within a walled compound. The compound walls have a series of intricately decorated gates without doors for the devotee to enter. The design, plan and layout of the holy pura follows a square layout.

Today, Balinese Hindus are concentrated in Bali island and some other cities in Indonesia. In Bali, Hindu Balinese temples (Pura) can be find quite easily, since they are the majority in the island. Outside Bali, they can be find too but not too many, for mostly these temples were followed the migration and only to accommodate Balinese people outside Bali, such as Balinese temples in Greater Jakarta.

Bali

  • Pura Besakih, Karangasem Regency (the largest Balinese Hindu temple in Indonesia)
  • Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
  • Pura Luhur Ulu Watu
  • Pura Kehen, southern slope of Bangli hill
  • Pura Makori, Bali
  • Pura Ulun Danu Batur, Karanganyar Batur village, Kintamani
  • Pura Watukaru, Wangaya Gede village, Tabanan
  • Pura Puncak Penulisan, Kintamani
  • Pura Pancering Jagat, Trunyan village, Kintamani
  • Pura Jagadnatha, Jalan Mayor Wisnu, Puputan Square

Nusa Tenggara
  • Pura Agung Giri Kertabhuana, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
  • Pura Agung Oebanantha, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
  • Pura Dalem Kahyangan Wolowona, Ende, East Nusa Tenggara
  • Pura Atambuanantha, Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara

East Java

Central Java

West Java

Greater Jakarta

North Sumatra

South Sumatra

Kuil or Mandir

Shri Mariamman Indian Hindu Temple in Medan

Mandir or koil (kuil in Indonesian) are used to refer Indian Hindu temples. Because of the influx of Indian immigrants into Indonesia back in the 19th century, there are numbers of Indian-style temples erected in Indonesian cities, especially in Medan and Jakarta. The Indian Hindu temples in Indonesia followed closely the design, style, layout and architecture commonly found in India and neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. Tamil Hindus are most concentrated in Medan, North Sumatra. There are around 40 Hindu temples in Medan and nearby but only a few Balinese Hindu temples in North Sumatra. Balaji Venkateshvara Temple (Pasar IV Padang Bulan, Medan) is developed by Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam committee. Punjabi is mostly Sikh and Hindu. Most of them mixed these religions and some of them can speak Punjabi. Hindi and Sindhi are concentrated in Jakarta and usually open textile and garment business. There are around 12 Sikh temples in Indonesia.

North Sumatra

  • Shri Sithi Vinayagar Kuil, Karang Sari, Polonia Medan
  • Shri Balaji Venkateshwara Koil, Jln.Bunga Wijaya Kesuma/Pasar IV,Padang Bulan, Medan
  • Sri Mariamman Temple, Jalan Teuku Umar, Kampung Madras, Medan
  • Thandayuthapani Temple, Medan
  • Shri Kaliamman Kuil, Jalan Zainul Arifin, Medan
  • Maha Muniswarar Temple, Medan
  • Arulmigu Shri Maha Mariamman Koil, Sampali
  • Shri Thendayudhabani Koil, Jln.Sultan Hasanuddin, Lubuk Pakam
  • Shri Subramaniam Nagarattar Kuil (Chettiar Kuil), Jalan Kejaksaan, Kebun Bunga, Medan
  • Shri Maha Shiva Shakti Kuil, Karang Sari, Medan
  • Shri Mariamman Kuil, Medan Helvetia
  • Shri Singgama Kali Kuil, Jalan Karya, Medan Barat
  • Shri Kaliamman Kuil, Jalan Karya, Medan Barat - right next to Vihara Manggala
  • Shri Mariamman Kuil, Bekala, Medan Simalingkar B
  • Shri Rajarajeshvari Amman Kuil, Selesai, Binjai Barat
  • Shri Karrupa Veera Vigneswara Kuil Jalan Starban No.86 Medan Polonia
  • Shri Hanuman Kuil Jl.Teratai Ujung Karang Sari Polonia Medan
  • Shree Murugan Temple, Jalan Hamka, Kisaran, Asahan
  • Shri Thendayuthabani Kuil, Lubuk Pakam, Deli Serdang

Greater Jakarta

Banda Aceh

Hindu Temple in Banda Aceh

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, K., & Altenburg, K. (2006). Cultural Landscapes in Asia‐Pacific: Potential for Filling World Heritage Gaps 1. International journal of heritage studies, 12(3), pages 267-282
  2. ↑ Degroot, V. M. Y. (2009). Candi, space and landscape: a study on the distribution, orientation and spatial organization of Central Javanese temple remains (Doctoral dissertation, Leiden Institute for Area Studies, SAS Indonesie, Faculty of Arts, Leiden University)
  3. ↑ Upendra Thakur (1986), Some Aspects of Asian History and Culture; ISBN 81-7017-207-1; pages 91-96
  4. ↑ ONO, K. (2001). The Symbolism of Temple Sites on Old Javanese Temples. Asymmetrical Temple Sites of Hindu Candi. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, (36), pages 2-35
  5. ↑ Dumarçay, J., & Smithies, M. (1986). The temples of Java. Oxford University Press.
  6. ↑ Wendoris, T. (2008). Mengenal Candi-candi Nusantara. Pustaka Widyatama.
  7. ↑ Prambanan Temple Compounds, UNESCO World Heritage Site Description
  8. ↑ http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/24/lombok.html
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