Candi Kedulan, Cahaya Misterius & Harta Karun Berusia 1000 Tahun

Summary

The script narrates the intriguing history of Kedulan Temple in Indonesia, a site of ancient Javanese kings' secret hobbies and divine revelations. It details the temple's construction during the Tang Dynasty, its connection to hunting practices, and the mystery of its disrepair and restoration. The temple's architectural splendor, including hundreds of antefixes believed to symbolize divine light, is highlighted. The story also touches on the temple's treasures, its potential destruction by natural disasters, and the spiritual significance of the site.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Kedulan Temple, located in Sleman, Indonesia, is a magnificent temple with a rich history and many treasures.
• 👑 The temple's construction is linked to the reign of Maharaja Dyah Balitung, who had a keen interest in hunting and bird-catching with snares.
• 📜 Historical inscriptions such as the Tlu Ron Inscription (900 AD) provide insights into the temple's past and the king's concern for its maintenance.
• 🌾 The temple's land was once plagued by crop failures, possibly due to the presence of the sacred structure beneath.
• 💧 A dam project intended to irrigate the surrounding area faced multiple failures, which may have been due to natural disasters or political conflicts.
• 🔨 There is speculation that the temple's statues were damaged intentionally by the Ancient Javanese before fleeing from impending disasters.
• 🗿 The temple complex includes a main temple and three smaller attendant temples, all adorned with intricate carvings and motifs.
• 💎 In 2018, seven peripih containers were discovered at Kedulan Temple, containing gold sheets and other artifacts, suggesting the presence of hidden treasures.
• 🌋 Kedulan Temple is believed to have been buried due to volcanic activity from Mount Merapi, like other temples in the region.
• 🌟 The temple is rich with antefixes, decorative elements that may symbolize the divine light of the gods and the presence of Shiva's residence.
• ⛩ The preservation and restoration of Kedulan Temple provide valuable historical insights and a spiritual reminder of divine presence in human life.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of Kedulan Temple?

Kedulan Temple is historically significant as it was built around the same time as the end of factional politics in the Tang Dynasty, and it reveals the secret hobbies of ancient Javanese kings, the mystery of disasters, and the divine light of the gods.

Why was Kedulan Temple initially in disrepair?

Kedulan Temple was in disrepair because the funds for its maintenance, which were supposed to come from the sima tax in Pananggaran village, were misappropriated due to the failure of a dam project that was supposed to irrigate the moors in the village.

What was the role of Maharaja Dyah Balitung in the restoration of Kedulan Temple?

Maharaja Dyah Balitung played a crucial role in the restoration of Kedulan Temple by questioning the high-ranking officials about the temple's disrepair and by threatening those who dared to damage the water channels, thus ensuring the temple's maintenance.

What is the connection between the temple and the agricultural failures in the area?

The land where Kedulan Temple is located experienced repeated crop failures, which were believed to be due to the presence of the temple. The land was eventually idled and later sold, leading to the temple's discovery.

What are the architectural features of Kedulan Temple?

Kedulan Temple features a main temple with three attendant temples, a surrounding fence, and a complex structure with batur (foot), patta, kumuda, and alinga. It also has a linga-yoni, salabhanjika figures, and various carvings and motifs.

What is the significance of the antefixes found in Kedulan Temple?

The antefixes in Kedulan Temple are believed to be a form of sphatika or crystal, symbolizing the divine light of the gods. They are thought to serve as windows through which the gods view the world and radiate their light.

How did the discovery of inscriptions contribute to the understanding of Kedulan Temple's history?

The discovery of inscriptions such as the Sumundul Inscription, Pananggaran Inscription, and Tlu Ron Inscription provided crucial historical data about the temple, its construction, and the events surrounding its decline and restoration.

What is the significance of the Durga statue found at Kedulan Temple?

The Durga statue found at Kedulan Temple is significant as it represents the goddess who embodies the combined powers of all gods and is capable of defeating evil. Its style is unique, resembling Ancient Greek statues, indicating cultural exchange.

What are the theories regarding the destruction of some statues at Kedulan Temple?

Some archaeologists believe that the statues were intentionally damaged by the Ancient Javanese themselves before fleeing from a disaster, fearing the temples would be inhabited by evil spirits. However, this theory is disputed as there is no primary source evidence to support it.

What is the connection between the temple and the volcanic activity in the region?

Kedulan Temple is believed to have been buried due to the eruption of Mount Merapi, similar to other temples in the area. The temple shows signs of volcanic deposits, indicating its history of being affected by volcanic activity.

What treasures were discovered at Kedulan Temple during its excavation?

During the excavation, treasures such as gold sheets depicting guardian deities, a gold plate with inscriptions, grains, glass beads, and soil were found, indicating the temple's importance and the reverence it held.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The History and Mystery of Kedulan Temple

The script introduces Kedulan Temple in Sleman, Indonesia, which was built around the time of the Tang Dynasty's Xuanzong. It narrates the temple's history, including its construction during a period of political upheaval and the ancient Javanese kings' passion for hunting, as depicted in the Borobudur Temple reliefs. The temple's significance is tied to Maharaja Dyah Balitung, who favored bird hunting with snares. The Tlu Ron Inscription from 900 AD reveals the king's concern for a state-owned temple's disrepair and the misappropriation of funds meant for its maintenance. The script also delves into the temple's architectural features, the divine light it emits, and the challenges faced in its maintenance due to natural disasters and human errors.

05:04

🌆 Architectural Marvels and Divine Symbols of Kedulan Temple

This paragraph explores the intricate architecture and divine symbolism of Kedulan Temple. It describes the temple's base, known as the batur, adorned with patta, kumuda, and alinga, and the luxurious decorations on the balustrade. The temple houses a linga-yoni, symbolizing Lord Shiva and Parvati, and features niches with various deities. The script humorously touches on the roles of these deities, such as Mahakala and Agastya, and describes the temple's stairs, carved with kirtimukha and makara motifs. The presence of a Durga statue, resembling Ancient Greek art, and the temple's unique features, such as the jawless kirtimukha, are highlighted. The paragraph also speculates on the possible existence of a wooden structure, indicated by the presence of umpak, and hints at the temple's past and potential treasures.

10:07

🗺️ The Discovery and Significance of Kedulan Temple

The script recounts the discovery of Kedulan Temple and its historical significance. It mentions the temple's initial state as a buried site with a history of crop failure and the surprising discovery of stone blocks in 1993. The government's excavation efforts led to the unearthing of statues and inscriptions, including the Sumundul and Pananggaran Inscriptions from 869 AD, and the Tlu Ron Inscription from 900 AD. The discovery of gold sheets and other artifacts in 2018 added to the temple's allure. The temple's restoration by BPCB DIY is noted, along with speculation that the temple may have been damaged by the eruption of Mount Merapi. The script also discusses the temple's architectural features, such as the use of tuffa for the walls and the presence of a well in one of the accompanying temples.

15:07

📜 Inscriptions, Treasures, and Theories of Destruction

This paragraph delves into the inscriptions found at Kedulan Temple and the treasures discovered within its grounds. It discusses the historical context provided by the inscriptions and the significance of the artifacts found, such as gold sheets and a gold plate with sacred inscriptions. The script also addresses theories about the temple's destruction, suggesting that it may have been damaged by the Ancient Javanese themselves to prevent evil spirits from inhabiting the temple during disasters. However, the narrator challenges this theory, citing a lack of evidence in primary sources and pointing out that temples were often mentioned as being damaged due to neglect rather than intentional destruction.

20:10

💎 The Divine Light and Cultural Significance of Antefixes

The final paragraph focuses on the cultural and spiritual significance of the antefixes found in Kedulan Temple. It explores the possible origins of antefix art, tracing it back to the gavaksha of India and its development into nāsī or kudu in South India. The script suggests that antefixes in Indonesian temples may have served a similar purpose to the gavaksha, allowing the divine light to radiate from the temple. The narrator speculates that the antefixes could symbolize the presence of God's light in human life and may have been added to the temple after Maharaja Balitung's reign to enhance its spiritual significance. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the importance of recognizing God's presence and light in our lives, as symbolized by the temple's antefixes.

Keywords

💡Kedulan Temple

Kedulan Temple is the central subject of the video, a magnificent temple located in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It symbolizes the transformation of a historically unproductive piece of land into a sacred site. The temple's discovery and restoration are part of the video's narrative, illustrating the resilience of cultural heritage against the backdrop of natural and human-induced disasters.

💡Ancient Javanese kings

The term refers to the rulers of the ancient Javanese kingdom, who are depicted as having secret hobbies, such as hunting, which is a recurring theme in the script. Maharaja Dyah Balitung, for example, is mentioned for his unique hunting method, providing insight into the leisure activities and cultural practices of these historical figures.

💡Tlu Ron Inscription

The Tlu Ron Inscription is a historical document from 900 AD that provides evidence of the temple's existence and the king's concern for its maintenance. It is a key piece of evidence that helps to reconstruct the history of Kedulan Temple and the surrounding area, showing the connection between royal patronage and religious sites.

💡Sima tax

The sima tax is a form of taxation mentioned in the script, originally intended for the maintenance of religious buildings like the temple at Tigaharyyam. The misappropriation of these funds is highlighted as a reason for the temple's disrepair, illustrating the economic challenges faced by such institutions.

💡Dawuhan or dam

A dawuhan, or dam, is an irrigation structure that was supposed to have been built to support agriculture in Pananggaran Village. The script discusses the failure to complete the dam, which is tied to the temple's lack of maintenance funds, showing the interdependence of agricultural infrastructure and religious patronage.

💡Maharaja Rakai Kayuwangi

Maharaja Rakai Kayuwangi is one of the historical figures mentioned in the script, whose reign is part of the timeline that helps to date the inscriptions and events related to Kedulan Temple. His rule is situated between periods of conflict, suggesting political instability that may have affected the temple's maintenance.

💡Lingga-yoni

The linga-yoni is a sacred symbol representing Lord Shiva and his shakti, Parvati, and is a central element in the temple's architecture. It is used in the script to illustrate the religious significance of the temple and the beliefs associated with it.

💡Salabhanjika

Salabhanjika refers to the human-shaped decorations found on the temple's balustrade. These figures, depicted in a cross-legged position holding a lotus, are part of the temple's intricate artistic design and contribute to its aesthetic and religious symbolism.

💡Durga Mahisasuramardhini

Durga Mahisasuramardhini is a statue found within Kedulan Temple, representing the goddess born from the energy of the Trimurti who defeated the buffalo demon, Mahisasura. The script uses this statue to explore the artistic style and religious narratives embodied in the temple's iconography.

💡Antefixes

Antefixes are decorative architectural elements that adorn the temple, suspected to be a form of sphatika or crystal in the video's narrative. They are presented as symbols of divine light and are integral to the temple's visual appeal and spiritual significance.

💡Volcanic deposits

Volcanic deposits are layers of volcanic material that have accumulated around Kedulan Temple, suggesting that the temple may have been affected by volcanic activity, such as the eruption of Mount Merapi. The script uses this geological evidence to hypothesize about the temple's history and the forces that have shaped it.

Highlights

Kedulan Temple, in Sleman, is a magnificent temple built on a plot of land previously known for crop failure.

The temple holds many treasures and reveals the secret hobbies of ancient Javanese kings, including hunting and the use of various methods to catch animals.

Maharaja Dyah Balitung (r. 898-910 AD) had a favored tactic for bird hunting using snares or lures, as recorded in the Tlu Ron Inscription (900 AD).

The temple's maintenance funds were originally sourced from the sima tax in Pananggaran village, which was supposed to be used for a dam to irrigate the moors.

Attempts to build the dam failed three times, possibly due to natural disasters and human error during a period of conflict over the throne.

Maharaja Balitung threatened those who would damage the water channels and allowed the community to use the dam, showing his concern for the people's welfare.

Kedulan Temple's restoration to its former glory is attributed to Maharaja Balitung's successful completion of the dam, ensuring a smooth flow of maintenance funds.

The temple complex is well-preserved, with a main temple and three attendant temples, surrounded by a fence, and is similar in structure to Sambisari Temple.

The temple's design features intricate carvings, including floral motifs, pilasters, geometric patterns, and salabhanjika figures, symbolizing divine presence.

Inside the main temple, a large linga-yoni represents Lord Shiva and Parvati, with water flowing through believed to be the water of immortality.

The niches of the temple are adorned with statues of the Shiva family, including Mahakala, Agastya, and Ganesha, each with unique attributes.

A special statue of Durga Mahisasuramardhini, embodying the combined powers of the gods, was found with distinct Hellenistic art characteristics.

Kedulan Temple is believed to have been damaged by the eruption of Mount Merapi, like other temples in the area, and shows signs of volcanic deposits.

The temple's restoration took 28 years and is now a site that visitors can explore, with its main temple and accompanying temples intact.

Kedulan Temple's unique feature is its hundreds of antefixes, decorative pieces that may symbolize the light of the gods shining into human life.

The antefixes are suspected to be a form of sphatika or crystal, representing the divine light and possibly serving as windows for the gods to view the world.

The temple's preservation and the presence of antefixes enrich the history and cultural heritage of the DIY area, providing insights into ancient Javanese architecture and beliefs.

Transcripts

Imagine!

A plot of land that went back and forth with crop failure

gave rise to a magnificent temple.

Inside, many treasures are stored.

It also reveals the secret hobbies of ancient Javanese kings,

the mystery of disasters,

and the light of the gods that can still be seen today.

Namely Kedulan Temple, in Sleman.

OK friends,

we are still in Indonesia,

specifically in DIY.

And the temple we are examining

was built around the same time

that the last emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Xuanzong (810-859),

put an end to factional politics among high-ranking imperial Chinese officials.

Come on!

The kings of Ancient Java

loved to hunt.

Until various ancient methods were developed to catch animals in trees,

such as monkeys and birds.

For example, in the reliefs of Borobudur Temple,

they are hunted with arrows,

snare sticks, chopsticks and slingshots.

However, Maharaja Dyah Balitung (r. 898-910 AD)

had a favorite tactic for catching birds,

namely with snares or lures.

How do I know?

Of course, from the Tlu Ron Inscription (900 AD),

which also tells the story,

that on the west side where the king hunted,

there was a parhyangan hajji, aka a state-owned temple,

complete with a shrine.

That's where the king bathed.

However, he was surprised to see the parhyangan's condition.

Upon returning to the palace, the king asked his high-ranking officials,

why did the parhyangan and lightning in Tlu Ron

languish in disrepair?

From this it was revealed

that the funds for the maintenance of the temple

were actually taken from the sima tax in Pananggaran village.

And 31 years ago,

based on the Sumundul Inscription (869 AD) and Pananggaran Inscription (869 AD),

there should have been a dawuhan or dam built

to irrigate the moors in Pananggaran Village.

So, the tax which was originally charged for rice fields in the village,

should have been diverted into funds for maintaining the sacred building at Tigaharyyam,

aka the pilgrim parhyangan at Tlu Ron,

the temple that Maharaja Balitung saw in the Tlu Ron Inscription.

But unfortunately,

the dam was never completed.

Automatically, the moorland cannot become rice fields

and generate funds for temple maintenance.

This attempt continued to fail, up to 3 times.

- How are you, sir? Did someone intentionally damage it?

The cause of the first failure was clearly a natural disaster,

but the second and third were unclear.

I suspect, due to human error.

Try logic,

the distance between the Sumundul-Pananggaran Inscription (869 AD)

and the Tlu Ron Inscription (900 AD) is 31 years,

stretching between the time of Maharaja Rakai Kayuwangi (reigning 855 - 885 AD)

to Maharaja Dyah Balitung.

Between these 2 maharajas,

there were 4 maharajas and a span of 14 years

marked by conflict over the throne.

Maybe, you know,

a disaster that damaged the dam occurred at that time.

And when the people are no longer taken care of,

parties emerge who, perhaps,

don't want the dam to function.

As a result, every attempt at improvement was failed.

How do you know, sir?

This is implied in the threat of Maharaja Balitung who,

in the Tlu Ron Inscription,

threatens those who dare to damage and disturb the water channels.

Maharaja Balitung also allowed the community to use the dam,

so they could take part in protecting the crowds.

How come I remember Maharaja Airlangga's tactics

when repairing the dam in Waringin Sapta,

which we have reviewed in the link above or in the description.

Maharaja Balitung was successful,

the dam was functioning,

and the flow of sima funds was smooth.

The Parahyangan building that he complained about was gloomy,

finally became lively again,

and radiated divine light.

In fact, it is reported that we can still see the light of the gods,

in the Parahyangan which is now called Kedulan Temple.

- Really, sir? Is it still visible today?

Curious?

Let's go!

- Leave!!!

From the center of Jogja,

Kedulan Temple is approximately 18 km,

aka a 40-minute drive.

Even though it was a bit far, I was happy because the weather was perfect.

We immediately entered the temple area.

Wow, the Kedulan Temple complex is still quite complete, you know.

There is 1 main temple facing east,

accompanied by 3 attendants or attendants,

plus a surrounding fence.

Finally, I confirmed for myself

the comments of Friend Asisi

who said that this temple was very similar to Sambisari,

which we also examined in the link above or in the description.

- Where is it? Why isn't the divine light visible yet?

Let's move to the Kedulan main temple!

The largest part of this temple is actually the batur, aka the foot.

The Batur is very beautiful

with layers of patta (flat seams),

kumuda, and alinga.

The pattern is complex but aesthetic.

The top part is even decorated with beautiful antefixes with a prairie motif.

This pedestal or base supports the balustrade,

or fence around the temple,

which protects something in the middle.

What's that?

The outer side of the Kedulan Temple balustrade is luxurious with various floral motifs,

pilasters or false pillars,

as well as geometric motifs.

In the middle of each side of the ledge,

there is a salabhanjika in the shape of a god.

- What kind of food, sir?

Salabhanjika is a human-shaped decoration.

Look, he is sitting cross-legged holding a lotus.

Maybe,

the divine light we are looking for is behind this ledge!

Come on, let's go up the stairs.

Kedulan Temple has towering stairs,

with beautiful cheeks.

The kirtimukha's tongue dangles to form a stairway,

and the tip of the makara is decorated with floral carvings.

Dare to ride with me?

Wow, it turns out this is what's behind the ledge:

a small, beautiful temple.

Inside the temple there is a quite large linga-yoni,

its carat is in the shape of a turtle on a dragon's back.

The dragon and turtle are the mascots of the Samudramanthana story,

so the water flowing through the carat yoni

is believed to be the water of Amertha's immortality.

- No need for skincare! Just use Amertha water, I'll be handsome forever?

- Since when are you handsome?

Well, let's just focus on the linga-yoni,

because this is a depiction of Lord Shiva and his shakti,

namely Parvati.

The niches in the Kedulan main temple are inhabited by the Shiva family.

This one is Mahakala, whose job is to scare bad people

because it is an aspect of Shiva's anger.

See, he brought a mace.

Then there is Agastya, who has a pot belly and carries a Kamandalu jug.

He is an aspect of Shiva as the mahaguru.

- Wow, this is a role model for fathers. The wiser you are, the bigger you are!

Hehehe.

Look, there are two students who are studying,

one of them is carrying a palm leaf.

Pay attention to their headbands.

Maybe this is the uniform of the students at Kadewaguruan,

an educational institution in Ancient Java that I have reviewed in the link above or in the description.

Next, Ganesha,

the elephant head who is the son of Lord Shiva.

Cool, his head is decorated with a jathamakuta

, aka a crown made from twisted hair.

Then there is the ardachandrakapala,

or skull crescent decoration,

the symbol of the Saivite sect.

Eh, that's it!

I saw divine light on the north side there!

What is that...

Owalah,

it turns out this is the statue of Durga Mahisasuramardhini,

the goddess who was born from the energy of the Trimurti.

He is also the embodiment of all the powers of the gods combined.

So a deadly combination huh:

beautiful & officer.

Able to kill Mahisasura,

the source of all evil in the form of a buffalo,

and symbolizes laziness and stupidity.

- It seems like my wife is Durga incarnate, she scolds me when I'm lazy.

- Yes, luckily you are a bit smart, if not, you will be destroyed!

If you look closely, the

Durga statue in Kedulan Temple is special.

The figure looks a bit like an Ancient Greek statue, you know.

See, Ancient Javanese women here

are depicted as having sharp noses with full lips,

typical of Hellenistic art.

Even his pupils were sculpted, as if they were alive.

- Don't be like that, it'll make me have a crush!

Next, on the right side of the door, there is Nandiswara,

who is calmer than Mahakala earlier.

His eyes are half closed,

looking at you and me peacefully.

Oh, I forgot,

we are here to seek the light of divinity!

Let's look among the carvings and figures at Kedulan Temple!

At the very top there is a row of Gana supporting the roof.

Each Parswadewata niche in Kedulan Temple

is decorated with a jawless kirtimukha,

typical of Medang temples from the Central Java period.

But what's unique is that

the kirtimukha above the entrance and the inside of the balustrade

has a lower jaw.

Pay attention,

as if coiled tendrils are sticking out of the kirtimukha's body.

Well, on the ledge of Kedulan Temple,

there are rows of peaks which add to its beauty.

Meanwhile on the lobby floor there are rows of umpak.

- There must be a pavilion!

The existence of umpak means that there used to be a structure made from organic materials,

for example wood.

Can anyone guess what the building looks like?

Now of course the wooden building was not saved,

because of this incident...

...keep following, friends,

we will reveal whether it was true that this temple was damaged before it was buried?

And is it true that there is hidden treasure in this temple?

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TREASURE OF KEDULAN TEMPLE

It is said that, when Kedulan Temple was still buried in the ground,

the tenants of this land were always free.

This land is planted back and forth with secondary crops,

but the harvest always fails.

It's as if there's something in there that doesn't want this land to be used as a field.

The land was idled,

even the sand was sold by the village government

so that there would still be income for the village treasury.

This dredging then revealed the existence of Kedulan Temple.

In 1993,

diggers were surprised by the presence of stone blocks at a depth of 3 meters.

The government took action

and managed to find statues of Durga, Linga and Ganesha.

In 2003,

2 inscriptions were found at the excavation site,

namely the Sumundul Inscription and Pananggaran Inscription (869 AD).

Twelve years later,

the Tlu Ron Inscription (900 AD) appeared which completes the data on the two inscriptions,

and we discussed this at the beginning of this video.

Eh, exactly in 2018,

7 peripih containers were found scattered in 7 corners of the main temple foundation.

It contained gold sheets

depicting the guardian deity of the seven directions!

- Wow what a treasure!

- So don't be disappointed that your fields failed to plant, maybe there is a temple!

Hehehe.

There are also grains, glass beads, and soil.

Meanwhile, in the temple well,

a gold plate was found with the words "om, hyang" written on it.

In total, 28 years since it was first reported,

Kedulan Temple has finally been completely restored by BPCB DIY.

- So long!

- Yes, it takes a long time, it's not like frying fritters!

Now the temple can be visited.

Because it stands at a depth of 5 meters,

it is strongly suspected that this temple collapsed due to the eruption of Mount Merapi,

like other temples in the surrounding area which were also buried in volcanic material,

such as Sambisari Temple and Kadisoka Temple.

Well, I've looked into these mysterious temples

in the link above or in the description.

At Kedulan Temple,

there are 13 layers of volcanic deposits that we can still see at the location.

The missing components of the perimeter fence on the west side

indicate that there was a fairly strong current hitting the temple.

Fortunately,

Kedulan Temple is still largely intact and safe.

Not only the main temple,

but also the supporting temples which line up straight from north to south.

- Wow, that's the god, it looks shining!

- Don't be kidding!

Let's explore the Pewara temple,

who knows, the light of the gods may be there.

Well, the anatomy of the accompanying Kedulan temple

is originally similar to its main one,

only smaller in size.

This is Batur which has a balustrade on top.

But our ancestors,

embellish the top seam of the batur with an antefix with a prakalasa motif.

Well, a similar pattern repeats itself on the temple ledge,

but doesn't use the bell side.

What's inside, huh?

Oh, it turns out it's a linga-yoni,

typical of Shiva temples.

Just above the ledge,

around 7 meru,

the same as the other pewara.

In the 4 corners of the floor, there are umpak.

- As far as the eye can see, there are only umpak!

Eh, it's not just umpak,

in the second perwara temple there is...

...NANDI WHO RISE FROM DESTRUCTION

The shape of the 2nd perwara at Kedulan Temple,

plek-ketiplek with the previous perwara.

But what is guarding is the statue of Nandi, flanked by two pillars.

- Nani? Nandi (where)? Nangdi (where)?

Nandi...

is a cow that is the vehicle or vehicle of Lord Shiva.

This Nandi statue looks beautiful and anatomical,

even the mane of the tail is carved in detail.

However, when it was found,

it was broken into several pieces.

Several statues in Kedulan Temple were damaged,

for example the Durga statue.

There are archaeologists who believe that

this destruction was carried out by the Ancient Javanese themselves

before fleeing when disaster struck,

for fear that the temple would be inhabited by evil spirits.

- Does it make sense for the statues of the gods to be damaged by their own people?

In my opinion, this assumption is without basis.

Temples that were damaged because they were not maintained

are often mentioned in classical literature,

such as Kakawin Sutasoma and Nagarakertagama.

However, I have never found any record of a temple being damaged by its own people

in any primary source.

Carry on.

The pedestal next to the Nandi Kedulan statue,

is in the shape of a padma or lotus,

with dragon carvings in the four corners.

For the size of the pewara or accompanying temple,

it is quite luxurious.

What's going on in the third or southernmost tower?

It turns out it was filled with a square well!

Until now, researchers do not really understand

what the function of the well in the pewara temple is.

Some suspect that this is the pahoman,

where the homa fire ceremony is held.

- Is this the divine light you mean, sir?

No...

Let's continue to the outside of Kedulan Temple.

Now…. doesn't it look like it?

The entire Kedulan Temple complex is surrounded by stone walls made from tuffa,

or limestone.

This is different from the temple inside which is made from andesite.

- Maybe because the tuffa rock is more murky, right?

At least now we know that

when ancient Javanese ancestors built temples,

they were always spacious with strong surrounding fences like palaces.

So, if you see many temples standing next to residential areas,

believe me it wasn't like that before.

- They said there was a lightning incident, where is Balitung bathing? Where?

Well, in Tjahjono Prasodjo's research on the epigraph

with hydroarchaeologist, JS Edy Yuwono,

two beliks were found in 2 hamlets to the east of the temple,

namely Sendang Segaran and Sendang Jongkangan

which were indicated to have previously housed Lightning buildings.

Eh, we are still looking for divine light, right?

Here he is!

KEDULAN TEMPLE & ITS HUNDREDS OF ANTEFIXES

Apart from its complex which is still intact,

and carvings that have been preserved in the ground for hundreds of years,

Kedulan Temple has other prominent advantages.

Here, there are hundreds of antefixes!

- As far as the eye can see, there are only...

Yes, the antefixes are everywhere,

from the mini ones to the big ones.

It is carved as a decorative piece on the wall,

and also fills the multi-tiered roof,

right up to the small meru-meru on the pewara.

There are even antefiks who cosplay as kirtimukha.

- Maybe there will be an antefix promo at that time! Buy 1 get one free.

Hehehe, that's possible.

But did you know that

antefixes are strongly suspected to be the creation of our ancestors?

If you trace it closely,

the antefix art of Indonesian temples has its roots in the gavaksha,

the oldest trace of which is in the Lomas Rishi Cave, India,

from the 3rd century BC.

In northern India,

the gavaksha continues to develop,

even a divine figure appears in the center.

Well, in South India,

this art developed into nāsī,

or kudu in Tamil.

When our silpins learn from Indian temples,

kudu is also absorbed in some of our temples.

For example, at Bima Temple in Dieng.

It's visible, isn't it?

There is a kudu with a divine figure in the center.

Then it has to be modified creatively to become...

- tadaaa…

Antefix!

Sometimes traces of the kudu are still visible,

with a divine figure in the middle of the antefix.

For example, at Merak Temple,

Karangnongko Temple,

Morangan Temple, and others.

Perhaps because there are three sharp corners,

some archaeologists call this decoration "simbar".

However, the term "antefiks" is more famous

than the Latin version, "antefigere",

which means roof tile decoration.

- So what does antefix have to do with divine light?

- Yes, I haven't seen you since before!

Be patient... this is just the light of the gods.

ANTEPHYX, MAGICAL CRYSTAL OF THE LIGHT OF THE GODS

According to architecture researcher, Aditya Bayu Perdana,

it is reasonable to suspect that the antefix of the temple is a form of sphatika, aka crystal.

The word sphatika is often used in ancient texts

to describe the tops of temples,

for example Kakawin Smaradahana from the 12th century.

Even in Kakawin Sutasoma (the golden age of Majapahit),

the residence of Lord Shiva was called sphatikedra

, aka a crystal palace that radiated light.

- Owalah, is this the divine light you've been dreaming about for a long time?

Patience…

Do you still remember the gavaksha I mentioned earlier?

The forerunner of antefix?

Well, according to Heather Elgood, an expert on Asian art,

the gavaksha in Indian temples served as a window

through which the gods viewed the world,

until their light radiated outside the temple.

I suspect that

the antefixes in our temples also fulfill this function,

especially since we are also familiar with the Spathikendra philosophy.

So it's natural that in Javanese temples there are many antefixes,

where the gods look out,

and their light shines in the corners.

- Wow…really beautiful!

If this assumption is correct,

it could be that

the Kedulan Temple, which is full of antefixes,

was intended as Shiva's residence,

like spathikendra

, aka a crystal palace that emits light.

Maybe you know,

these antefixes were added later

after Maharaja Balitung criticized the gloomy nature of this temple.

And tidy up the flow of funds to maintain it.

The presence of Kedulan Temple

not only adds to the collection of temples in the DIY area,

but also enriches our history.

It is one of the few Medang temples

for which the data is clear.

The carved corners are still sharp,

well preserved

despite being eroded by past disasters

and modern natural weather.

Kedulan Temple also records moments when a ruler cared about his people.

Something good for leaders in this country to emulate.

And, most importantly,

Kedulan Temple is studded with antefixes,

which symbolize the moment when heavenly light comes to touch human life.

This is a refreshing reminder

of the most valuable treasure we can have,

namely God's inclusion.

Often we focus too much on the weight of life,

and the darkness of the path in front of us,

that we forget that beside us

there is God who is ready to walk with us,

and light the path.