Java Island is the center of the discovery of the temples of various kingdoms in the past. One of the temples is Mendut Temple. Mendut Temple is one of the Buddhist temples in Java. This temple is located on Jalan Mayor Kusen, Mungkid City, Magelang Regency, Central Java. It is located 3 km from Borobudur Temple and about 38 km to the northwest of Yogyakarta.
The internal structure of this Buddhist temple is made of bricks, but the outer walls are made of andesite stone. This building has a basement, above which there are alleys that surround the temple. Around Mendut Temple, there are 48 small stupas.
According to historians, Mendut Temple has a close connection with Pawon Temple, because Mendut Temple, Pawon Temple and Borobudur Temple are located in a straight line from north-south. Even now it is still a mystery why the three temples are connected in a straight line? It is very possible that this has a purpose, for example associated with astrology or others. Another question is how to determine the location of the temples in the past? What technology was used at that time?
The positions of Candii Borobudur, Candi Pawon and Candi Mendut are in this line following the constellation Orion Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka (Orion Belt). Maybe after this of course we will ask. How did in the past understand the relationship between the three temples and the constellation Orion? Why do the three temples stand in the same slanted line as the constellation Orion? Everything is still a mystery. Similar to the mystery of the various reliefs in the Borobudur Temple. Likewise, the mystery of how the Prambanan temples were made in the past with a high level of complexity. What kind of technology existed in the past?
The temples were built by the kings of the Syailendra Dynasty who were known as the family of temple builders in the archipelago. Other temples that are also close to Borobudur Temple are Canggal Temple / Mount Wukir and Losari Temple around Salam, Asu Temple, Lumbung Temple, Selagriya Temple, Ngawen Temple and Sari Temple around Muntilan.
There is still one more temple, namely Banon Temple which has Hindu characteristics. In this temple, there are found statues of the main Hindu gods in good condition, namely Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Ganesha. Unfortunately, the existence of Banon Temple is difficult to reconstruct because there are very few stones found in Banon Temple. The statues of Banon Temple during the Dutch East Indies era were moved to Batavia and stored at the National Museum of Indonesia.
Until now, it is not clear when Mendut Temple was built. A historian J.G. de Casparis estimates that Mendut Temple was built by the first king of the Syailendra dynasty in 824 AD So Mendut Temple is thought to be the first temple built by Wangsa Syailendra. J.G. de Casparis also estimates that Mendut Temple is older than the age of Barabudhur Temple. This historian's estimate is based on the Karangtengah inscription (824 AD) which states in the inscription that King Indra had made a sacred building called Wenuwana.
The ruins of Mendut Temple were first discovered in 1836. The discovery at that time was the base and building of the temple but the top and roof were not visible. Then in 1897-1904, the Dutch East Indies Government carried out renovations in several parts including the roof of the temple so that it displayed a shape that was almost the same as it is today, although not yet perfect.
The Dutch East Indies government returned to reconstruction and restoration in 1908 led by Van Erp with the results of refining the roof shape and replacing the stupas. This restoration was not completed but was temporarily suspended due to lack of funds, resuming in 1925.
Physically, Mendut Temple building which stands on a rectangular foundation has a height of 26.40 m. The position of the Mendut temple land is quite high, also about 2 meters from the surrounding height. There are many reliefs on the walls of the base of the temple with 31 panels in the form of dioramas of various stories. Relief forms in the form of carvings of people, animals, flowers and tendrils.
To reach the top of the temple through the date which is on the west side which has the entrance to the room in the temple. The roof of the viewer is the same height and blends with the roof of the temple body. Mendut Temple does not have a gate. The walls of the stairs are fanel reliefs depicting various Buddhist stories. At the beginning of the date there is a pair of dragon heads whose mouths are wide open. On the underside of the dragon's head was a panel with the image of a dwarf.
Some Stories in the Reliefs of Mendut Temple
In one part of the Mendut temple fanel, there is a relief depicting the story of Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi. This story is about two friends, children of merchants. One day Dharmabuddhi found money and told his friend Dustabuddhi. They keep the money under a tree.
When they need money, Dharmabuddhi takes some of the money and divides it in half. The always suspicious and dissatisfied Dustabuddhi took all the remaining money. He reversed the facts by accusing Dharmabuddhi of taking all the money and bringing it to court. Fortunately the judge was able to prove that Dustabuddhi was found guilty and convicted.
Another story from the relief at Mendut Temple is that two parrots are different in their behavior because one is educated by a thief. While one by a priest.
TheIndonesiaAdventure.com team Writter
Tag. : Syailendra dynasty, Buddhist temple, Mendut temple, Magelang, temple in Magelang, Mendut, Mendut Borobudur, Mendut borobudur, tourism sites, sites, Central Java Tourism, Syailendra, Mendut Temple
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| Mendut Temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java |
The internal structure of this Buddhist temple is made of bricks, but the outer walls are made of andesite stone. This building has a basement, above which there are alleys that surround the temple. Around Mendut Temple, there are 48 small stupas.
According to historians, Mendut Temple has a close connection with Pawon Temple, because Mendut Temple, Pawon Temple and Borobudur Temple are located in a straight line from north-south. Even now it is still a mystery why the three temples are connected in a straight line? It is very possible that this has a purpose, for example associated with astrology or others. Another question is how to determine the location of the temples in the past? What technology was used at that time?
The positions of Candii Borobudur, Candi Pawon and Candi Mendut are in this line following the constellation Orion Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka (Orion Belt). Maybe after this of course we will ask. How did in the past understand the relationship between the three temples and the constellation Orion? Why do the three temples stand in the same slanted line as the constellation Orion? Everything is still a mystery. Similar to the mystery of the various reliefs in the Borobudur Temple. Likewise, the mystery of how the Prambanan temples were made in the past with a high level of complexity. What kind of technology existed in the past?
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| Mendut Temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java. |
The temples were built by the kings of the Syailendra Dynasty who were known as the family of temple builders in the archipelago. Other temples that are also close to Borobudur Temple are Canggal Temple / Mount Wukir and Losari Temple around Salam, Asu Temple, Lumbung Temple, Selagriya Temple, Ngawen Temple and Sari Temple around Muntilan.
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| Stairs to the top floor of Mendut Temple |
There is still one more temple, namely Banon Temple which has Hindu characteristics. In this temple, there are found statues of the main Hindu gods in good condition, namely Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Ganesha. Unfortunately, the existence of Banon Temple is difficult to reconstruct because there are very few stones found in Banon Temple. The statues of Banon Temple during the Dutch East Indies era were moved to Batavia and stored at the National Museum of Indonesia.
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| Relief of Mendut Temple |
Until now, it is not clear when Mendut Temple was built. A historian J.G. de Casparis estimates that Mendut Temple was built by the first king of the Syailendra dynasty in 824 AD So Mendut Temple is thought to be the first temple built by Wangsa Syailendra. J.G. de Casparis also estimates that Mendut Temple is older than the age of Barabudhur Temple. This historian's estimate is based on the Karangtengah inscription (824 AD) which states in the inscription that King Indra had made a sacred building called Wenuwana.
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| Mendut Temple. Guard statue on the stairs to enter Mendut Temple. |
The ruins of Mendut Temple were first discovered in 1836. The discovery at that time was the base and building of the temple but the top and roof were not visible. Then in 1897-1904, the Dutch East Indies Government carried out renovations in several parts including the roof of the temple so that it displayed a shape that was almost the same as it is today, although not yet perfect.
 |
| Reliefs on the walls of Mendut Temple |
The Dutch East Indies government returned to reconstruction and restoration in 1908 led by Van Erp with the results of refining the roof shape and replacing the stupas. This restoration was not completed but was temporarily suspended due to lack of funds, resuming in 1925.
Physically, Mendut Temple building which stands on a rectangular foundation has a height of 26.40 m. The position of the Mendut temple land is quite high, also about 2 meters from the surrounding height. There are many reliefs on the walls of the base of the temple with 31 panels in the form of dioramas of various stories. Relief forms in the form of carvings of people, animals, flowers and tendrils.
 |
| Guard Statue on the stairs of Mendut Temple |
To reach the top of the temple through the date which is on the west side which has the entrance to the room in the temple. The roof of the viewer is the same height and blends with the roof of the temple body. Mendut Temple does not have a gate. The walls of the stairs are fanel reliefs depicting various Buddhist stories. At the beginning of the date there is a pair of dragon heads whose mouths are wide open. On the underside of the dragon's head was a panel with the image of a dwarf.
Some Stories in the Reliefs of Mendut Temple
In one part of the Mendut temple fanel, there is a relief depicting the story of Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi. This story is about two friends, children of merchants. One day Dharmabuddhi found money and told his friend Dustabuddhi. They keep the money under a tree.
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| The story of Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi in Mendut Temple |
When they need money, Dharmabuddhi takes some of the money and divides it in half. The always suspicious and dissatisfied Dustabuddhi took all the remaining money. He reversed the facts by accusing Dharmabuddhi of taking all the money and bringing it to court. Fortunately the judge was able to prove that Dustabuddhi was found guilty and convicted.
Another story from the relief at Mendut Temple is that two parrots are different in their behavior because one is educated by a thief. While one by a priest.
TheIndonesiaAdventure.com team Writter
Tag. : Syailendra dynasty, Buddhist temple, Mendut temple, Magelang, temple in Magelang, Mendut, Mendut Borobudur, Mendut borobudur, tourism sites, sites, Central Java Tourism, Syailendra, Mendut Temple