Sambisari Temple

 

For 21 Years Stringing "Puzzle" Sambisari

 

On the morning in 1966, there was a rare occurrence experienced by a farmer named Karyo Winangun in their fields. When you're swinging a hoe into the ground. Spade hit a big rock. Having seen the stone apparently has carved on its surface. Karyowinangun and residents are surprised by the presence of stone blocks.

Department aware of any archaeological findings come soon and the next set of rice acreage Karyowinangun as ancient sanctuary. Carved stone found was supposed to be part of the temple were probably buried under rice acreage. Excavations carried out ended up finding hundreds of other boulders with ancient statues. And true enough, the stones were indeed a component of a temple.
 

Hose 21 years later, finally able to enjoy the beauty of the temple. The temple building that stands majestically named Sambisari  Hamlet, Village Purwomartani, Kalasan District, Sleman, 10 kilometers from the city center of Yogyakarta. You can reach by driving through the Yogya-Solo cross to find signposts to this temple. Next, you just turn left follow the flow path.

 

When your view towards the center of the temple area, it just looks as if the roof stone structure plays only a few meters above the ground. You might be wondering, is it true that small just Sambisari? After the close, then we got the answer. Apparently, Sambisari is 6.5 meters lower than the surrounding area.

Samisarbi probably built between the years 812-838 AD, probably during the reign of Rakai Garung. The temple complex consists of 1 parent and 3 temples temples companion. There are two fences surrounding the temple complex, the fence has been restored completely, while the other one is only displayed little fence to the east of the temple. Still as a barrier, there are 8 pole phallus scattered in every direction of the wind.

The main temple building is unique because it has no base like other temples in Java. Foot of the temple also functions as a base so it is parallel with the ground. The foot of the temple left plain, without any reliefs or decorations. Various decorations are generally in the form of new simbar found on the body to the outside of the temple top. The decoration was fleeting as batik motifs.

Climb the stairs of the main temple entrance, you can find an ornament of a lion is in the mouth of makara (animal magic in Hindu mythology) that open. Figure makara in Sambisari and an evolution of the form of makara in India which could be a combination of elephants with fish or crocodile with a bent tail.

1 meter wide corridor will be met after passing through the last step of the main temple entrance. Walking around it, you will find three niches each containing a statue. On the north side, there is a statue of Goddess Durga (Shiva's wife) with 8 arms, each holding a weapon. While on the east side there is a statue of Ganesha (son of Goddess Durga). On the south side, there is a statue of Agastya with aksamala (beads) were worn around the neck.

Entering the main chamber of the main temple, we can see the phallus and yoni is large enough, roughly 1.5 meters. Its presence indicates that the temple was built as a place of worship of Lord Shiva. Phallus and yoni in the main temple chamber is also used to make holy water. Typically, water is poured on the linga and allowed to flow through a small ditch on the yoni, and then collected in a container.

Exit the temple and head west, you can see the three ancillary temples (companion) facing the opposite direction. There are allegations that these ancillary temples intentionally built without a roof for when the excavation was discovered the roof rocks. The temples have ancillary central square pedestal decorated with dragons and Padmasana (lotus flower) spherical convex on it. Chances are, Padmasana and pedestal used as a statue or offerings.

When you have been content to enjoy the beauty of the temple, you can go to the information. Some photos depicting the Karyowinangun field before the temple excavated and initial conditions when found can be found. There are also photographs of the excavation and reconstruction of the temple that lasted for tens of years, including photographs of other objects found during the excavation, in the form of bronze statues that are kept in the Archaeological Heritage Preservation Hall.

Sambisari beauty that now we can enjoy is the result of hard work of the archaeologist for 21 years and will be the best travel destination. The temple was originally like a giant puzzle, piece by piece sustainability reassembled after another glorious cultural heritage of the past.