CANDI PENATARAN

Temple of Upgrading or Candi Panataran or its original name is Candi Palah is a temple of Hinduism of Hindu Siwaitis which is located in Penataran Village, Nglegok District, Blitar Regency, East Java. The grandest and largest temple in East Java is located on the southwestern slopes of Mount Kelud, north of Blitar, at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. From the inscriptions stored in the temple is estimated the temple was built during the King Srengga of Kadiri Kingdom around 1200 AD and continued to be used until the reign of Wikramawardhana, King of Majapahit Kingdom around 1415. In the book of Desawarnana or Nagarakretagama written in 1365, this temple is referred to as the sacred building "Palah" visited by King Hayam Wuruk in the journey of royal traveling around East Java. [1] In 1995 this temple was proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate in its tentative list This temple complex is a cluster of several buildings stretching in the northwest-southeast axis. Behind the main temple on the east side there is a river that flows in the mountain Kelud. The temple complex is arranged in a linear pattern, some ancillary temples and pendopo hall are located in front of the main temple. This layout is different from the temples in Central Java style, for example Sewu Temple, arranged in a concentric mandala pattern with the main temple is located in the middle of the temple courtyard surrounded by rows of ancillary temples. Linear arrangement pattern with somewhat irregular pattern on temple This upgrading is characteristic of East Java style which developed from Kediri to Majapahit, then continued to Balinese temple layout pattern. The temple complex of Penataran occupies an area of ​​12,946 square meters of land stretching from northwest to east and southeast. The entire courtyard of the enslavement complex except the southeastern part is divided into three parts, which are separated by two walls. To make it easier to understand the compass of Penataran Temple, the parts of the Penataran Temple are called front page, middle page, and backyard. The composition of the temple complex Penataran very unique and not arranged symmetrically. This illustrates that the making of the temple is not in one period. Entering the front yard, the gate is located on the northwest side of the temple complex, flanked by two statues of Dwarapala, doorman degan number 1242 Saka or 1320 AD carved on the statue. Local people call it as Reco Pentung. Based on the sculpture of the existing year numbers on the second statue of the statue, the historians concluded that the building of Palah temple was inaugurated as a state temple during the reign of King Jayanegara of Majapahit. East of the two statues are the remnants of the gate made of red brick. Through the former gate, comes at the forefront of Penataran Temple, Bale Agung. The location of the building is located on the northwest side of the front yard, its position slightly jutting forward. The building is entirely made of stone, the diding is still plain and has four stairs, two are located on the southeast side, so the building is impressed facing southeast. While the other two located on the northeast and southwest side impress as a ladder to the side door. In the north and south diding two entrance steps that divide the east side wall into three parts. Around the body of the Bale Agung building is wrapped by a dragon. Dragon dragon head popped up on the right and left of the building. Each ladder up there is a guard statue in the form of mahakala statue. The Bale Agung building measures 37 meters long, 18.84 meters wide and 1.44 meters tall. Above there is a court which in each corner there is a stone pedestal which is estimated as a pile of wooden poles used for the roof of the building. The function of building Bale Agung according to N.J Krom as well as in Bali is used for the place of musyawarah the pastor or the pendanda. Ascertained this bale or pavilion was once shaded by the structure of poles and roof of wood organic material and may be covered with fibers or shingles that have been decayed and destroyed. The location of the building is located in the southeast of Bale Agung building. Pendopo The terrace is composed entirely of stone, rectangular with size 29.05 meters x 9.22 meters x 1.5 meters. It is estimated that Hall Pendopo is used as a place to place offerings in religious ceremonies or resting places of kings and other nobles. On the west side there are two rising stairs in the form of steps, these stairs do not continue on the eastern wall. At each corner of the staircase entrance to the left and right of the staircase is a small, winged statue with knees bent on one leg and one hand holding a mace. Large ubel-shaped staircase decorated with a beautiful tumpal. Pendopo Terrace building dates to 1297 Saka or 1375 AD