Land of Gods (2/2): Ancient Technology in Dieng That Brought Us Majestic Java Temples

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating history of the Dieng Plateau in Indonesia, exploring its ancient temples and the connections to Indian architecture and Javanese culture. The temples, rediscovered by British soldiers in the 19th century, showcase unique features influenced by both Indian styles and local creativity. The video highlights the evolution of temple designs, the role of the region as a center for temple construction, and the engineering ingenuity of early Javanese architects. With a focus on preservation efforts and the cultural significance of Dieng, the video offers a deep dive into Indonesia's rich architectural heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Dieng Plateau in Central Java, Indonesia, houses hundreds of ancient temples, including Borobudur and Prambanan, and is integral to Javanese temple civilization.
• 😀 The temples in Dieng were rediscovered by British soldiers in the early 19th century, around the same time as the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, which influenced Mary Shelley's writing of 'Frankenstein'.
• 😀 The Tantu Panggelaran text from the Majapahit period describes Dieng as the spiritual base of Hindu-Shiva civilization in Java, where Lord Guru created humanity from clay.
• 😀 Dieng's temples, like Arjuna Temple and Bima Temple, are influenced by both South Indian (Dravida) and North Indian (Nagari) architectural styles, adapting Indian designs into uniquely Indonesian forms.
• 😀 The evolution of temple architecture in Dieng reflects creative adaptations of Indian temple designs, with certain temples like Gatotkaca Temple having an astadala (8-pointed lotus) plan that became a model for many temples in Java.
• 😀 Bima Temple, the most intact temple in Dieng, features a distinctive roof resembling those found in Bhubaneswar, India, and is considered the most haunted of the temples in the region.
• 😀 Dieng temples showcase the blend of local knowledge and Indian influence, with a unique architectural style that was developed to withstand the region's volcanic activity and earthquakes.
• 😀 The use of andesite stone in the construction of Dieng temples, due to its availability and ease of carving, played a crucial role in temple construction techniques that would later be seen in other major sites like Borobudur and Prambanan.
• 😀 Dieng is believed to have been a cultural 'laboratory' for temple makers (silpins), where Indian architectural knowledge was adapted and refined to create uniquely Indonesian temple designs.
• 😀 The restoration and preservation of Dieng's temples, including ongoing efforts like the restoration of Setyaki Temple, aim to protect and revive the historical and cultural significance of the site.
• 😀 Dieng's temples reflect the broader historical and cultural relationship between Indonesia and India, with Hinduism entering Java around the 4th century AD, marking the beginning of a deep, lasting cultural exchange.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Dieng Plateau in Javanese temple civilization?

The Dieng Plateau is considered the cradle of Javanese temple civilization, where early Hindu-Shiva temples were built and served as a base for architectural development. It was a hub where silpins (temple makers) were educated, blending Indian influences with local creativity to establish unique Indonesian temple styles.

How did the temples in Dieng Plateau contribute to the development of later temples in Indonesia, like Borobudur and Prambanan?

The temples in Dieng Plateau served as a testing ground for new architectural styles, including the adaptation of Indian temple designs. The creative modifications made by Javanese silpins, such as the use of smaller stones and earthquake-resistant conical ceilings, influenced the construction of larger, more complex temples like Borobudur and Prambanan.

Why is the Bima Temple considered unique among other temples in Dieng?

Bima Temple is unique because it is the only temple in Indonesia with a roof resembling those in Bhubaneswar, northern India. It also features distinctive Indian architectural elements, like the kudu, and has a myth associated with it, where people believe that walking around the temple seven times counterclockwise will help in finding love.

What is the architectural significance of the temples' niches and roofs in Dieng?

The niches in Dieng temples are notable for their protruding design, which evolved over time, reaching a peak with the astadala plan seen in Gatotkaca Temple. This plan, symbolizing the eight-pointed lotus, became a common feature in Javanese temples. The roofs, particularly in Bima Temple, also exhibit Indian influences, such as the sikhara-shaped roof, which later influenced Indonesian temple design.

How did Indian temple architecture influence the design of Javanese temples in Dieng?

Javanese temples in Dieng were influenced by Indian temple architecture, particularly in the use of North Indian (Nagari) and South Indian (Dravida) styles. However, Javanese silpins creatively adapted these styles, evolving them into a unique form that was more suitable for Indonesia's natural conditions, like earthquake-resistant conical ceilings and smaller stone materials.

What role did the Tantu Panggelaran text play in the cultural significance of Dieng?

Tantu Panggelaran, a Majapahit-era text, plays a key role in understanding the cosmological and religious significance of Dieng. The text depicts Mount Dieng (Dihyang) as the base of Hindu-Shiva civilization and the origin of human creation, reflecting the spiritual importance of the area and its connection to Javanese temple culture.

What is the current state of preservation efforts for the Dieng temples?

Efforts to preserve the Dieng temples are ongoing. Some temples, like Setyaki Temple, are currently being restored. Local authorities are working to protect the remaining temples and artifacts, despite past looting, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the cultural and historical value of these monuments.

What unique feature of the Dwarawati Temple sets it apart from other temples in Dieng?

Dwarawati Temple is notable for its distinct kala kirtimukha with a lower jaw, which differentiates it from the more common jawless kirtimukha found in other temples in Central Java. Additionally, its architectural features, such as flower carvings around the niches, give it a unique character.

How did the natural conditions of Dieng influence temple design?

The natural conditions of Dieng, particularly its susceptibility to flooding and earthquakes, influenced the design of the temples. For example, the use of conical roofs made the temples more earthquake-resistant, and the construction of underground culverts helped manage seasonal flooding by draining water to lower lands.

What is the connection between the temples of Dieng and Indian temple styles, and how did Javanese silpins adapt them?

The temples of Dieng were inspired by Indian temple styles, specifically the North Indian (Nagari) and South Indian (Dravida) styles. However, Javanese silpins adapted these influences to suit local conditions, modifying the architecture to create a distinctive Indonesian style. The silpins' creative approach allowed them to develop features like the astadala plan and earthquake-resistant structures.