Ijo Temple

Ijo Temple, Temple of the Top Located in Yogyakarta

Down the street to the south of Queen Boko Palace complex is an exciting journey, especially for cultural tourism lovers. How not, the temple there were scattered like mushrooms in the rainy season. One of them that has not been the talk is Ijo Temple, a temple which is located at the high among the other temples in Yogyakarta. Ijo Temple this could be the best travel destinations.

Ijo Temple was built around the 9th century, on a hill known as the Green Hill Gumuk Ijo that height is 410 m above sea level. Because of its height, it is not only the temple but also can enjoy the natural scenery below such as terraces in the agricultural areas with a steep slope. Although not a fertile area, the landscape around the temple is very beautiful to enjoy.

The temple complex consists of 17 building structures that are divided into 11 terraces. The first terrace the yard leading to the entrance is a terrace staircase stretching from west to east. Building on the patio to be a fence-11, eight pole phallus, the four main temple building, and three ancillary temples. The laying of the building on each terrace based on kesakralannya. Building on the highest terrace is the most sacred.

Encountered various forms of art since the entrance of the building belonging to this Hindu temple. Right at the entrance there is a motive when makara with dual heads and some of its attributes. Motif and attributes that can also be found in Buddhist temples indicate that the temple was a form of acculturation Hindu and Buddhist culture. Some temples have similar motives when makara among others Ngawen, Plaosan and Sari.

There is also a statue depicting the figure of women and men who floated and lead to certain side. The figure may have multiple meanings. First, as suwuk to mngusir demons and second as a symbol of unity of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Uma. Unity is interpreted as the beginning of the creation of the universe. Unlike the statue in the temple of Prambanan, natural style of the statues in Ijo temple not lead to eroticism.

Towards the temple building ancillary to-11 on the terrace, there is a place like a tub of fire sacrifice (homa). Right at the top of the wall behind the tub, there are air holes or vents shaped parallelograms and triangles. The pit is a mirror of society that worships Hindu Brahma. Three ancillary temples show respect for the people on the Hindu Trimurti, Brahma, Shiva, and Whisnu.

One of the works that the mystery is two inscriptions located on the terrace of the temple at the ninth. One of the inscriptions is coded with the writing Guywan F or Bluyutan meaning place for hermitage. Another inscription is made of stone measuring 14 cm high and 9 cm thick load of spells that are predicted to be a curse. Mantra is written 16 times and include a legible is "Om Sarwwawinasa, Sarwwawinasa." Could be, the second inscription closely with the occurrence of certain events in Java at the time. Are the events? Up to now not well known.

Visiting this temple, you can find beautiful scenery that can not be found in other temples. When faced west and looked down, you could see the planes taking off and landing at the airport Adisutjipto. The view could be found because of a Thousand Mountains where the temple stands a boundary eastern airports. Because of the existence of temples in the mountains anyway, Adisutjipto airport runway can not be extended to the east.

Every detail of the temple presents something meaningful and invites the audience to reflect on that trip will not just be having fun. The existence of many great works of art without the name of the author show a Javanese community that is more emphasis on the morals message carried by a work of art, not the maker or the splendor of his artwork.