Muaro Jambi Temple

Muaro Jambi Temple

The existence of Muaro Jambi archeological site was discovered by a British Military Officer named Lieutenant SC Crooke in 1820 A.D. when he was assigned in the hinterland of Batanghari for mapping the Batanghari River. It is assumed that this 12 km square temple was built in the era of the Crivijaya Kingdom. In the location, it can be found some other temples which some of them had ever been renovated by Jambi provincial government. They are Tinggi Temple, renovated in 1978 done in 1987, Gumpung Temple, renovated in 1982 done in 1988, Astano temple, renovated in 1985 done in 1989, and Kembar Batu Temple, renovated in 1991 done in 1995.

At least nine big temples can be found there, Kuto Mahliga Temple, Kedaton Temple, Gedong I Temple, Gedong II Temple, Gumpung Temple, Tinggi Temple, Telago Rajo Temple, Kembar Batu Temple, and Astomo Temple. In addition, other small temples are spread out around the location.

There is a museum within the temple area functioned to keep some historical heritages from the 13th century. You will see the Dwarapala Statue (The statue of holy building guarder from 13th century, found at Gedong II Temple in April 2002), Belanga (earthen cooking pot) made of bronze that was found in Kedaton temple in 1994, Padmasana (Statue‘s seat), three elephants statues made of stone, some ancient bricks with 576 cm square and 6 cm thick. You will discern Tembikar (earthenware), bronze artifacts, Belanga which are 160 kg weigh, 0, 67 meters high and 1, 06 meters of diameter. Some pieces of ancient ceramics and porcelains from the ninth to eleventh century can also be found there.

Where Muaro Jambi Temple Location?

This archeological site is located in Muaro Jambi Sillage, Muaro Sebo Sub-district, in the District of Muaro Jambi, Jambi Province.

Muaro Jambi Temple lies in the riverbank of the Batanghari River, two km northeastwards from Jambi district. To reach the location, it can be accessed by land or water, through the Batanghari River. It will spend about 20 minutes by speedboat passing by the Batanghari River. Otherwise, there are two ways that can be used if you choose the trip by land. First, started from Jambi district to the Aur Duri Bridge then continue to Olak Kemang and another one is started from Jambi city to the Aur Duri Bridge then continue to Simpang Jambi Kecil. The entrance ticket is range from Rp. 3.000,00 to Rp. 5.000,00.

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Bumi Ayu Temple

Bumi Ayu Temple is the only Hindu temple area in South Sumatra consisting of nine temples. Four of them has been refurbished in 1990 by allocating Indonesian General Revenue and Expenditure Budget. The local government of Muara Enim District has made some supporting facilites to increase the number of visitors to the location.

Bumi Ayu Temple stands above 75.65 ha land bordered by seven dried rivers. Development and preservation have been conducted for years by a team focusing on ancient heritages preservation from South Sumatra Province.

Bumi Ayu Temple is a Siwa Hinduism temple. According to Archeologists, Bumi Ayu Temple is the biggest Hindu temple outside of Java Island. The physical appearance of Bumi Ayu Temple is almost the same as Prambanan Temple in Central Java.

Bumi Ayu Temple Location

Bumi Ayu Temple lies in Bumiayu Village, Tanah Abang Sub-district, Muara Enim District, South Sumatra. Now, the access to Bumi Ayu Temple has been paved out. To reach the destination, it will spend about 1,5 hours from Muara Enim (85 kms).

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Cangkuang Temple

Cangkuang Temple in Garut West Java

Cangkuang derives from Sundanese language replacing term for pandan leaf (Pandanus furcatus) that in the past was used by local people to make hat, plaited mat, and palm sugar wrapper. Now, cangkuang is used both as the name of village and temple.

Cangkuang Temple was discovered firstly by Prof. Harsoyo and Drs. Uka Tjandrasasmita on December 19th , 1966. Both of them included into the researcher team of Leles history. It was discovered after receiving a report stated by Vordeman on the Notulen Bataviaasch Genootschap – published in 1893 A.D. – saying the existence of an ancient graveyard and the remain traces of Siwa Statue in Leles. Some other pre-historic age legacies were discovered on the next research. They were kendan stones (oxidant stone), pieces of earthenwares from the neolithic age and big stones from the megalithic age.

Having a look at the shape of the temple, some archaeologists assumed that the temple was erected in the eighth century. However, from  the simple ornaments used, the making technique, and a chinese record, there is a prediction that the temple was built in the seventh century, on the same era as the building of Javanese temples.

Along the journey to the location, you will ride by Pulo Village which has the unique tradition and well-preserved traditional houses. By taking getek – raft made of bamboo – you will see the panoramic sight of Cangkuang temple that is awesome.

The atmosphere in Panjang Island, the location of Cangkuang Temple, is quite fresh and has imposing view because there is a beautiful park and the number of teureup tree, banyan trees, and  randu tree (Ceiba pentandra). Moreover, the existence of Mount Haruman, Mount Mandalawangi, and Mount Guntur combined with the calm water of surrounding area can enhance the location as the worth visiting tourism destination for you.

A public small museum keeping many antique objects and 12 ancient books is located nearby the temple. Some documents telling the history and all information relating to the temple can also be found in the museum.

About a kilometer away from the museum, there is a tomb of Embah Dalem Arif Muhammad. It is believed that he was the envoy of Mataram Kingdom who was assigned to fight againts VOC in Batavia (Jakarta). After being defeated by VOC, he and his entourage decided to keep staying in Cangkuang where the local inhabitants there had embraced Hindu. Considering such reality, the location is a right place for cultural and natural tourism.

Cangkuang Temple Location

Cangkuang Temple lies in Cangkuang Village, Leles Sub-district, Garut District, West Java Province, Indonesia. Cangkuang Temple‘s location is about 46 km away from Bandung and 20 km from Garut District. Depart from your home to Garut District then go on to Leles Sub-district. The temple is three km away from Leles highway or about 35 minutes by walk. Having passed by Pulo Village, you have to wade Lake Cangkuang by getek to Cangkuang Temple. Tourism information center, mosque, museum, shelter, parking area, and raft for hanging around the location are available for you. Moreover, food stalls, souvenir shops and beautiful park are also supporting facilities that may offer you memorable visit. The entrance ticket to the location is IDR 2000/person. 

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