Mystery Behind the Great Temple Built by Five Kings of Java | Penataran Temple, East Java

Summary

The video delves into the fascinating history of Penataran Temple in East Java, built during the Majapahit era as a response to the destructive eruptions of Mount Kelud. It explores the temple's architectural features, spiritual significance, and the stories behind its creation, including its connection to ancient Javanese rulers like King Kertajaya. Throughout the video, the temple is portrayed as a site where divine and earthly realms converge, symbolizing the union between kings and gods. Viewers are taken through the temple's mystical reliefs, dragon motifs, and the rich history that still sparks debate among historians today.

Takeaways

• 😀 King Kertajaya of Kedhiri built the Penataran Temple to appease volcanic eruptions and natural disasters, a practice later followed by other Javanese kings.
• 😀 Mount Kelud's eruption in 1334 AD was a significant event, with volcanic ash covering Java, and it coincided with historical events like the Palapa Oath by Gajah Mada.
• 😀 The Penataran Temple was constructed over several generations, involving kings from the Kedhiri, Singhasari, and Majapahit kingdoms, making it a state temple.
• 😀 The temple's grand design features several areas with different levels of sacredness, including the Bhurloka (outer), Bhurwarloka (middle), and Swarloka (main) mandalas.
• 😀 The temple is famous for its dragon motifs, which are interpreted as symbols of divine protection and possibly linked to the Samudra Mantana myth from Hindu teachings.
• 😀 Historians have speculated on the role of a mysterious statue with an axe, possibly an avatar of Vishnu, further linking the temple to mythological themes.
• 😀 Penataran Temple's iconography includes dragon-wrapped buildings, winged serpents, and reliefs of the Ramayana and Kresnayana epics, suggesting its spiritual and cosmic significance.
• 😀 The temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva (Sang Hyang Ancalapati), symbolizing a connection between macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (human rulers), especially the divine nature of King Hayam Wuruk.
• 😀 The development of Penataran Temple into a religious study center during the Majapahit era marks it as a spiritual heart, alongside Trowulan, the political capital.
• 😀 The temple's mysteries continue to spark debate among historians, such as the missing roof of the main temple and the identity of certain statues and reliefs.
• 😀 The temple's legacy includes its influence on Majapahit kings, especially King Kertajaya, who believed he was the incarnation of Lord Girinatha, a connection seen in both his pride and eventual downfall.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of Penataran Temple?

Penataran Temple is a significant historical site in East Java, built to appease the violent eruptions of Mount Kelud. It became an important spiritual center during the Majapahit era, symbolizing the relationship between the divine and earthly rulers.

Why was Penataran Temple built in the first place?

Penataran Temple was built following the eruption of Mount Kelud in 1334 AD, which caused widespread fear. King Kertajaya of Kedhiri Kingdom believed the eruption subsided due to the intervention of a priest, leading to the construction of the temple as a way to appease the volcano.

What role did the eruption of Mount Kelud play in the creation of the temple?

The eruption of Mount Kelud in 1334 AD was a key event in the creation of Penataran Temple. After the eruption, King Kertajaya was impressed by the belief that the eruption's damage was minimized through divine intervention, leading him to establish a sacred space that later developed into the Penataran Temple.

What is the meaning of the reliefs found at Penataran Temple?

The reliefs at Penataran Temple depict various Javanese legends, such as the story of Prince Panji and other Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Kresnayana. These reliefs are not only artistic but also hold deep spiritual significance, relating to the temple's role in connecting the divine with the human world.

What is the symbolic importance of the dragon motifs at Penataran Temple?

Dragons at Penataran Temple are symbolic of powerful cosmic forces, particularly representing Kundalini energy and transformation. The prevalence of dragons throughout the temple reflects the cosmic battle between gods and demons, as well as the temple's spiritual purpose.

What is the significance of the main temple's three terraces?

The main temple at Penataran Temple has three terraces, each decorated with reliefs from the Ramayana, Kresnayana, and other epic stories. The terraces represent different levels of sacredness, with the upper levels symbolizing the divine, and they are key to the temple's role in spiritual practices.

Who were the key figures behind the construction of Penataran Temple?

The construction of Penataran Temple involved several rulers, most notably King Kertajaya of Kedhiri Kingdom, who initiated the temple's establishment. Later, kings from the Singhasari and Majapahit kingdoms continued expanding the temple, making it a monumental state temple.

What is the connection between King Hayam Wuruk and Penataran Temple?

King Hayam Wuruk, the second king of Majapahit, is believed to have worshipped at Penataran Temple. This act of worship is tied to the concept of **Dewaraja**, where the king is seen as an earthly incarnation of divine forces. His connection with the temple symbolized the unity between the divine and the ruler.

What is the mystery surrounding the missing roof of the main temple?

The roof of the main temple at Penataran is missing, and archaeologists are unsure about its original design. Scholars have speculated that the temple's roof may have resembled structures like Yeh Gangga Temple in Bali, suggesting a similar architectural style.

What are the possible interpretations of the statue in front of Angka Tahun Temple?

The statue in front of Angka Tahun Temple, holding an axe and a rice-like plant, is still unidentified. Some scholars suggest it could represent an avatar of Vishnu, possibly Rama Parasu, while others link it to the goddess Sri, or a divine figure associated with agricultural abundance.