The history of the temple is a topic that is also interesting to discuss. Mendut Temple is one of the Buddhist temple that is quite popular in Indonesia. Mendut temple is located in Central Java, precisely in Mendut Village, District Mungkid, Magelang District. Located about 38 km from the city of Yogyakarta. This temple is also not far enough from other famous temple, Borobudur Temple. Viewed from the history of the temple mendut, Borobudur temple has a fairly close relationship with the Borobudur Temple and Pawon Temple. When you look from the map, the location of these three Buddhist temples form a straight line from north to south. This article will give an overview of the history of the temple and the story behind the architecture contained in it.
As mentioned earlier, Mendut Temple is a Buddhist temple that is quite famous both in the national scale or abroad. The word self is derived from the word Venu, Vana, Mandira which means the temple is in the middle of the bamboo forest. The early history of temple development still has several versions and can not be ascertained.
The famous historian named J.G. de Casparis explained that the temple mendut built during the reign of Syailendra dynasty in 824 AD This is based on the contents of Prasati Karangtengah per year 824 AD In the inscription mentioned that Indra King built a sacred building and named it Wenuwana. Wenuwana or bamboo forest is defined by de Casparis as Mendut Temple. By using the assumption, then the history of the shrine has begun before the temple of Borobudur. Temple mendut has an older age than the Borobudur Temple, one of the largest and famous temple in the world that had entered into the 7 Wonders of the World.
Rediscovery of Mendut Temple
The rediscovery of the temple took place in 1836. At that time, it was found that all parts of the temple shrank except the roof of the temple. The Dutch Indies government at that time did the restoration since 1897 until 1904. The result of this effort is good enough to successfully restore the foot and body of the temple through reconstruction. Even so, there are some parts of the temple that still can not be reconstructed again. Four years later, Van Erp became the leader for the reconstruction activities of Mendut temple stage two. The team performed the activity of returning the roof shape of the temple, the installation of stupa stupa and repairs at some roof top of the temple. The purpose of this reconstruction is quite good only had time constrained funds in the middle of the process. This reconstruction activity just started back in 1925. Thanks to this reconstruction effort, we can now enjoy the uniqueness of temple mendut while studying the history of temples mendut and the message behind every architecture.
Mendut Temple Architecture
In general, the temple mendut has a floor plan with a square shape. Temple mendut has an overall height of 26.4 m. The body part of the temple is on a rock with a height of 2 m. On the surface of the stone has a wide hallway. In the walls of the temple mendut, there are approximately 31 panels featuring some relief stories, tendrils and flower sculptures that indicate the pattern of the temple mendut. When you visit this temple, you will see several channels to dispose of water from the hallway along the outer wall of the ledge. This section of the channel is called jaladwara. Jaladwara is a characteristic of temple temples located in the region of Central Java. This type of jaladwara can be found on the famous temple temples in Central Java & Yogyakarta such as Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, Ratu Baka Site and Banyuniba Temple. Even so, the form of jaladwara is not the same and has its own characteristics in accordance with the characteristics of the temple.
The staircase of the temple is located on the west side of the temple which is also located in front of the entrance into the body of the temple. At the entrance of this temple, you can see the viewing chamber that juts out. This display booth has a height similar to the roof of the temple so it looks blend with the body of the temple. The entrance of the body of this temple has no garupa or door frame as other temples. This chamber has the shape of how many hallways with a hollow cavity extending cavity with a triangular cross section.
Mendut Temple Relief
As with other temples, the temple also has a relief shrink with a distinctive style. Here are some reliefs that are in the temple mendut:
Relief Kuwera & Hariti
Relief kuwera or Ayataka is a relief engraved on the northern wall in the display booth. Kuwera itself is a human-eating giant who is told to do repentance after meeting with Buddha. This Kuwera has a wife named Hariti. Hariti himself has the same life story with Kuwera. He is a man-eating giant who also ended up repenting after meeting Buddha. Hariti then became a protector for his children with Kuwera.
In addition to the temple mendut, reliefs Kuwera and Hariti is also widely found in other temples such as Sewu Temple, Kalsan Temple and Banyuniba Temple. In the reliefs engraved in the temple mendut, kuwera symbolized sitting on a bench. Around him a child of kuwera is seen playing. Under Kuwera's seat was a purse of money. This picture describes Kuwera as the god of wealth. While in Hariti relief, you can see a similar picture. Hariti is seen sitting in a chair with her son on her lap. There are also some Hariti and Kuwera children who are also playing.
Relief of the Bodhisattva Ayalokitesvara
This relief describes the life of Buddha. The relief is located on the south wall of Sewu Temple. In this relief, the Buddha is pictured sitting on a padmasana or throne from a padma flower. Budha sits under the kalpataru tree. In this relief, Dewi Tara is also seen sitting on padmasana on the left side of Buddha. While on the right side there are also women who sit also on padmasana. On the left and right side of the cloud is visible. In the cloud, the man reading the book. While on the left and right siis this relief painted stone pillars stacked.
Above the pillar is depicted Gana who is crouching and supporting something. In front of Budha sitting, there is a pond with lots of lotus flowers. The water of this pool is represented as the tears of Buddha due to the sadness of Buddha who is thinking of his miserable people in the world. In front of this pool are also seen two women who emerged from the lotus pond.
Bodhisattva Relief
This relief is located on the east wall of Mendut Temple. Inside this relief, it is seen Buddha with a figure having four hands standing on a phallus. In this relief, Buddha uses the king's great clothes. Buddhas emit the rays of the gods from their heads. The left hand behind the Buddha is seen holding the book while his right hand holds a beads.
The Buddha's forehead depicts the attitude of the yaramudra. Yaramudra is a Buddhist attitude cross-legged with a hand grace form. To the left of the Buddha is seen a lotus flower that seemed to come out of the vessel.
Relief of Tara Goddess
On the north side of Mendut Temple, there is a relief depicting the goddess Tara. Inside this relief, it is seen Tara Goddess who sits on padmasana with both men on her left and right side. Tara's goddess in this relief is depicted as having eight hands. Tara's hand holds some items such as oysters, wajra, chakras, prayer beads, axes, sticks, books and saucers.
Relief Sarwaniwaranawiskhambi
In this relief, depicted Sarwaniwaranawiskhambi standing under the umbrella. This relief is located on the west side of Mendut Temple. Inside this relief Sarwaniwaranawiskhambi is seen wearing royalty greatness.
Mendut Temple statue
One part of the history of the temple is a great statue that is unique. Part of this statue is located in the body part of the temple mendut. There are 3 pieces of great Buddha statue, which consists of:
1. Arca Dyani Budha Cakyamuni
This statue is also known as Vairocana. This statue is located in the middle of the temple by facing the west of Mendut Temple. This statue is seen in a sitting position with both legs menyiku down. Her feet tread on the ground that has a lotus shape. While the hands of the statue dyani budha cakyamuni behave dharmacakramudra. This attitude means Buddhas who are turning the wheel of life.
2. Buddha statue Avalokitesvara
Buddha statue avalokitesvara or Lokesvara terleta on the north dyani budha cakyamuni. This statue is facing to the south side of the temple mendut. In this statue, the Buddha is pictured sitting with his left leg folded inward. While his right leg dangles downward. This avalokitesvara Buddhist statue takes the attitude of the varamudra hand which means that Buddha is teaching. This statue lokesvara is wearing a royal grandeur dress with added jewelry on the neck, shoulders, ears. Not to forget there is a crown that adds to the majesty of this statue.
3. Bodhisattva statue of Vajrapani
This third statue is located on the left of the archae Budha Sakyamuni. Bodhisatva vajrapani statue is depicted facing to uata. In this statue, Buddha is depicted being in a sitting position with the position of the right leg folded with the sole of Budha touch the thigh. While his left thigh is depicted dangle down. Just as the avalokitesvara Buddha statue, the statue of the bodhisattva vajrapani is also depicted in the royal dress of greatness.
From this article, we can see that the history of the temple is quite long and has many stories in it. Temple mendut is quite unique when compared with other Buddhist temple temples in Indonesia. The uniqueness of the temple mendut can be seen from the size of the statue of Budha is somewhat large for the size of Buddhist temples in Indonesia, especially temples around Central Java. Mendut Temple also has many reliefs that explain the story of Jataka. Stories in the reliefs in Mendut Temple many explain the law of cause and effect which is certainly very useful to know together. The relief is scattered on the walls of the temple mendut. Mendut Temple is one of the temples that must be visited when you stop to the area of Central Java and Yogyakarta.
Mendut Temple was founded during the reign of King Indra of the dynasty Syailendra Buddha-patterned at an altitude of 3.70 m asl. As mentioned in the inscription Karangtengah dated May 26, 824 AD, told that the king Indra has built a sacred building wenuwana which means bamboo forest. Furthermore, the archaeologist from the Netherlands named J.G de Casparis defines the sacred building in question is Mendut Temple.
This rectangular temple is furnished with a storied roof decorated by small stupas. This temple was built earlier than the Pawon Temple and Borobudur Temple which is located in a straight line. This temple was built facing to the west different from Borobudur temple which was built facing toward sunrise.
Upon entering the courtyard and foot of the temple, you can see some reliefs that tell about turtles, birds, monkeys and birds, brahmins and crabs. This relief at a glance looks like a fairy tale aimed at children, but actually the story tells the jataka story that gives moral message to all who come to visit this Mendut temple. In the body of the temple, you will get 8 Bodhisattva reliefs that are larger than the reliefs that exist in Borobudur temple.
The smell of hio smelled mixed with fragrant flowers will accompany you as you step into the temple chamber. Next will appear in front of the eye statues as high as 3 meters amounted to 4 yellowish light illuminated. Three large-scale statues located within the cubicle of this Mendut Temple named the statue of Dyani Buddha Cakyamuni or Vairocana, Avalokitesvara statue and Bodhisatva Vajrapani statue.
Dyani Buddha Cakyamuni statue located in the center, was sitting with legs menyiku down with the hand position twisting wheel dharna. The statues are carved out of solid black material intactly so as to produce the usual masterpieces of luaar. There are rangants of fresh flowers, hiolo and hio located in front of the statues.
After you feel enough to see purwa rupa statues, it's time you leave the gate of Mendut temple by passing a row of souvenir kiosks. Next you will also see Buddist Monastery which is a quiet, open and public place. A number of stupas and lotus flowers in the pond adorn the road to Buddist Monastery.
Starting at 19:20 pm every night, this is held chanting ritual or meditation by looking to listen to music and singing. Anyone can follow the riitual chanting and not necessarily Buddhist.
Location
Mendut Temple is located in Mendut Village, Mungkid District, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province. Located about 38 km to the northwest of Yogyakarta.
Access
Mendut Temple is located 3 km east of Borobudur temple or 1.5 km to the north from Pawon temple. When you go to Borobudur Temple will pass by looking at the board to Mendut Temple. From the highway you can see where it is
Ticket price
The ticket price to enter this place is Rp. 3,000, - per person
Amenities
Facilities contained in this place in the form of parking vehicles, toilets and some food stalls are managed by the surrounding residents.
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