Dieng Plateau

Dieng temple complex.

Dieng Plateu, is a marshy plateau that forms the floor of a caldera complex on the Dieng active volcano complex near Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia. Referred to as "Dieng" by Indonesians, it sits at 2,000m above sea level far from major population centres. The name "Dieng" comes from Di Hyang which means "Abode of the Gods".^[1]

Part of General Sudirman's guerilla campaign during Indonesian War of Independence took place in the area.

Temples

The is the location eight small Hindu temples. Built around 950 CE, they are the oldest known standing stone structures in Java. They are originally thought to have numbered 400 but only 8 remain.

Its poisonous effusions and sulphur-coloured lakes make it a particularly auspicious place for religious tribute. The temples are small shrines built as monuments to the God Shiva.^[2] exhibited along the niches and doorways of the remaining structures.^[3]

Notes

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ Michell, George, (1977) The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to its Meaning and Forms". pp. 160-161. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 000000058585861 /
3. ^ Michell, George, (1977) The Hindu Temple: Meaning and Forms". pp. 960-161. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226532301

See also

Indonesia portal

• Candi of Indonesia
• Indonesian architecture

References

• Backshall, Stephan et al. (1999) Indonesia The Rough Guide London Penguin ISBN 1-85828-429-5 pp. 190–195
• Dalton, Bill Indonesia Handbook fourth edition pp. 280–283
• Dumarcay, J and Miksic J. Temples of the Dieng Plateau in Miksic, John 1996 (editor) 1996 Ancient History Volume 1 of Indonesian Heritage Series Archipleago Press, Singapore. ISBN 981-3018-26-7
• Mertadiwangsa, S. Adisarwono, (1999) Dataran tinggi Dieng : objek wisata alam dan objek wisata budayanya = Dieng Plateau Yogyakarta: Kaliwangi Offset Yogyakarta, (In Indonesian)
• Witton, Patrick (2003). Indonesia (7th edition). Melbourne: Lonely Planet. pp. 209–211. ISBN 1-74059-154-2. 

Coordinates: 7°12′S 109°54′E / 7.2°S 109.9°E / -7.2; 109.9