- Masjid Agung Demak
Masjid Agung Demak (or the Great Demak Mosque) is one of the oldest
mosque s inIndonesia , located in the center town ofDemak ,Central Java Indonesia . The mosque is believed to be built by the Wali Songo (the nine pious religious leaders) during the firstDemak Sultanate ruler,Raden Patah during the15th century .Fact|date=April 2007This mosque is the proof of glory achieved by the Demak Bintoro kingdom as the first Islamic kingdom in
Java island.Mosque Features
Masjid Agung Demak is the classic example of a traditional Javanese
mosque . Unlike mosques in theMiddle East it is built fromtimber . The tieredroof is supported by four enormous teak pillars. This means that the mosque is rather small when compared to many modern Indonesian mosques. The tiered roof shows many similarities with wooden religious structures from the Hindu-Buddhist civilizations of Java andBali . The main entrance of Masjid Agung Demak consists of twodoor s carved with motifs ofplant s,vase s, crowns and an animal head with an open wide-toothed mouth. It is said that picture depicts the manifestedthunder caught by Ki Ageng Selo, hence their name “Lawang Bledheg” (the doors of thunder).The Carving and Historical Relics of Masjid Agung Demak
The carvings at Lawang Bledheg are also interpreted according to chronogram based on lunar calculation as “Naga mulat salira wani” which means Saka Year 1388 or A.D.
1466 as the year in which Masjid Agung Demak existed.The front wall of the mosuqe is inset with sixty-six porcelain tiles. These exquisite blue and white tiles are believed to derive from
Champa in modern-dayVietnam , a kingdom with which Demak's former rivalMajapahit had extensive trade contacts. According to some reports, these tiles were stolen from the palace of the Sultan of Majapahit and later added to the mosque.Masjid Agung Demak has many historical remainders and unique things, such as Saka Tatal; Maksurah; Dhampar Kencana/pulpit; Saka Majapahit; etc. Besides that in the environment of Masjid Agung Demak there are also
grave s of thesultan s of Demak and amuseum .References
* Florida, Nancy K "Writing the past, inscribing the future: history as prophesy in colonial Java" Durham, N.C. : Duke University Press, 1995 - Chapter. 5. The Demak Mosque: A Construction of Authority (Babad Jaka Tingkir). ISBN 0822316226
ee also
*
Islam in Indonesia
*Indonesian architecture
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