Candi Plaosan

Candi Plaosan, also known as Plaosan Complex is one of the Buddhist temples located in the Bugisan village, Prambanan district, Central Java Province, Indonesia.Candi Plaosan is easily accessible from Yogyakarta - Surakarta main road about 1 km to th, is temple is situated in the central of the village, cover an area of 2,000 scl m. the e I,- 3tion is 148 above sea level and the exact area is longitude 7° 44' 13 " south and latitude 110° 30' 11.07" east. About 200 m east of Candi Plaosan flow Dengok Rivers from north to south. Candi Plaosan is surrounded by paddy field, and fertile vegetation such as banana, corn and also settlement.

Historical background

Plaosan temple was built in the middle of ninth century (825-850 AD) by Sri Kahulunnan or Pramodawardhani the daughter of Samaratungga the descendent of Sailendra Dynasty whom married to Rakai Pikatan the Hindus believers. Plaosan complex is ensemble of two Buddhist temple complex in Central Java, namely Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul. Plaosan Lor located in the northern and Plaosan Kidul in southern part both separated by the street. Plaosan Lor stand of two main temple and one open space building called as mandapa. Each of them have entrance, gate and the guardian statue called as dwarapala. In the main chamber there are three statues one in the middle two in another side, but the main statue in the middle is missing. Plaosan Kidul stands of two row of minor temple called as Candi Perwara.

Architecture

Main temple has a unique character which is different with another temple. The characterizes appear on the number of main temple, which have two main temple and mandapa an open space building which each of them separate by gate. The main temple also has storage which mean this building was used in below and above. But the function is not yet clear. Out side the gate stands minor temple in third row surround it. The first row is minor temple called as candi perwara, the second and third row is a minor temple in stupas form and called as perwara stupas. In Plaosan Kidul, candi perwara was built in two era based on the kala relief that is found in side and out side of the entrance temple.

Research

A lot of research and preservation have been done in Plaosan complex by a number the expertise and institutions since the Dutch colonialism. One of the results is the finding of the third gate and canal surrounding the complex. It is concluded that Plaosan Lor (northern Plaosan) and Plaosan Kidul (southern Plaosan) is united as one complex .

ource

*From a leaflet at the temple's gate

External Links

* Here is an [http://www.borobudur.tv/plaosan_1.html article with photos] by Mark Long about the temple.