Warta Warisan Budaya episode “Candi Kedulan”

Summary

This episode of 'Warta Warisan Budaya' explores the historical and cultural significance of Candi Kedulan, a Hindu temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Hosted by Alifi Maharani and featuring archaeologist Pak Dwi, the episode delves into the temple's discovery, structure, and symbolism. Candi Kedulan, dating back to the 9th-10th century, was buried under volcanic debris from Mount Merapi. The show highlights unique architectural features, including a Lingga and Yoni, and surrounding guardian statues. The temple's discovery and restoration emphasize the value of preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage for future generations, making it a key destination for both historical education and tourism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Candi Kedulan is located in Dusun Kedulan, Desa Purwa Martani, Kalasan, Yogyakarta, and was built in the 9th to early 10th century.
• 😀 The temple was buried by volcanic eruptions from Mount Merapi, which led to its discovery in 1993 by a sand miner.
• 😀 The main purpose of Candi Kedulan was as a place of worship for Shiva, with key symbolic elements like the Lingga and Yoni representing Shiva.
• 😀 The temple features statues of Mahakala and Nandi, which are guardians of the temple, embodying spiritual significance.
• 😀 There are additional statues surrounding the temple, including figures of Agastya, Ganesha, and Durga, each with specific religious roles.
• 😀 Candi Kedulan was built during the Mataram Kingdom, a period marked by Hindu-Buddhist influence in Java.
• 😀 The temple's structure includes a series of stone pillars or *umpak*, which may have supported a wooden structure above the temple.
• 😀 The discovery and restoration process of Candi Kedulan took many years, with the temple finally being restored and opened to the public in 2021.
• 😀 The surrounding area contains several inscriptions that help date the temple and provide historical context, including the Pananggaran and Sumun inscriptions from 869 AD.
• 😀 The temple’s burial under volcanic material offers insight into the relationship between ancient Javanese communities and volcanic activity, showing the impact of eruptions on local structures.

Q & A

What is Candi Kedulan, and where is it located?

Candi Kedulan is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Dusun Kedulan, Desa Purwamartani, Kalasan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is an important cultural heritage site with historical significance.

What is the historical significance of Candi Kedulan?

Candi Kedulan dates back to the late 9th to early 10th century during the reign of two kings, Rakai Kayuwangi and Rakai Balitung. It was built as a place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Why is Candi Kedulan located beneath the surrounding land?

Candi Kedulan is situated beneath the surrounding earth due to a volcanic eruption from Mount Merapi around the 9th to 10th century. This eruption caused the temple to be buried under volcanic ash and lava.

When was Candi Kedulan rediscovered, and how?

Candi Kedulan was rediscovered in 1993 by sand miners, who accidentally found a portion of the temple structure. Excavations began soon after to uncover the rest of the site.

What are some of the key features of Candi Kedulan?

Key features of Candi Kedulan include the Lingga and Yoni symbols, which represent Lord Shiva, and surrounding statues like Agastya, Ganesh, and Durga, each holding specific symbolic roles in the temple’s worship and rituals.

What is the significance of the Lingga and Yoni in Candi Kedulan?

The Lingga and Yoni in Candi Kedulan are symbols of Lord Shiva. The Lingga represents Shiva's divine energy, and the Yoni symbolizes the goddess Shakti, together representing the unity of masculine and feminine energies in Hinduism.

What statues surround the main temple structure in Candi Kedulan?

Around the main temple structure, there are statues of Agastya, Ganesh, and Durga. These statues symbolize various aspects of Shiva’s power, knowledge, and energy, with each playing a role in the temple’s rituals.

How does Candi Kedulan relate to the eruptions of Mount Merapi?

Candi Kedulan was buried by the eruptions of Mount Merapi, which deposited volcanic ash and lava around the temple. The primary and secondary eruptions of Merapi left both large stones and finer volcanic materials, which helped preserve the site over time.

What was the process of excavating and restoring Candi Kedulan?

Excavations of Candi Kedulan began in 1993, when the temple was rediscovered. The process included removing volcanic materials, conducting hydrological studies, and restoring the structure. The restoration work was completed around 2021.

What educational values can be derived from studying Candi Kedulan?

Candi Kedulan offers valuable educational insights into history, culture, and architecture. It teaches about the relationship between humans and nature, particularly how ancient civilizations interacted with volcanic activity, and it highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage.