CANDI SARI

Sari Temple is also called Bendah Temple is a Buddhist temple located not far from Sambi Sari Temple, Kalasan Temple and Prambanan Temple, which is in the northeast part of Yogyakarta city, and not so far from Adisucipto Airport. This temple was built around the 8th and 9th centuries at the time of ancient Mataram Kingdom with a very beautiful shape. At the top of this temple there are 9 pieces of stupas as seen on the stupa at Borobudur Temple, and arranged in 3 rows parallel. The shape of the temple and carved reliefs that exist on the walls of the temple is very similar to the reliefs in Plaosan Temple. Some of the two-story rooms are just below each stupa, and are thought to be used for meditation places for Buddhist monks (monks) of the early days. Sari temple in the past is a Buddhist monastery, and used as a place to learn and studied for the monks. According to the estimation of this temple was built in the 8th century AD along with the Kalasan temple development, that is during the reign of Rakai Panangkaran. The linkage of these two temples is described in the Kalasan Inscription (700 years Saka / 778 AD). In the Kalasan Inscription it is explained that the religious advisers of Wangsa Syailendra have suggested that Maharaja Tejapurnama Panangkarana, which is thought to be Rakai Panangkaran, built a sacred building to worship the Goddess Tara and a monastery for Buddhist priests. To worship Goddess Tara Kalasan Temple was built, while for Buddhist monastery monastery was built Sari temple. Looking at the overall shape and parts of Sari temple, it is estimated that this temple serves as a dormitory or residence of Buddhist monks. Sari Temple was rediscovered in the early twentieth century in a heavily damaged state. The first restoration took place between 1929 and 1930 led by A.J. Bernet Kempers an archaeologist from the Netherlands. At the time of the first restoration, has not succeeded in restoring the integrity of the original building. This is due to the large number of missing temples. In addition, when first discovered, there are parts of buildings that have been damaged, especially parts that are not made of stone. Sari temple which is now estimated to have a stone fence surrounding the temple. The entrance of the temple is guarded by a pair of Dwarapala statues holding a mace and a snake as it is in front of Plaosan Temple. The story of the Sari Temple development process is documented through the Kalasan Inscription (700 Saka or 778 AD). It is said that in the 8th century AD the Maharaja Tejapurnama Panangkarana (Rakai Panangkaran) was advised by religious counselors to establish monasteries for priests. Sari Temple was later built by Rakai Panangkaran to carry out the advice. The temple with a collection of small stupas at the top of this then becomes a dormitory for the monks. In this place, the monks learn, discuss, carry out religious activities, and forged to then teach their knowledge to the people of Ancient Mataram. In Kalasan Inscription also mentioned that in addition to building monastery for the monks, Rakai Panangkaran also recommended to build a temple as a place to worship the Goddess Tara. So built Kalasan temple, not far from Candi Sari. Sari Temple development allegedly coincided with the construction of Kalasan Temple, it is no wonder if there are many similar resemblance between the two temples from the side of the relief. My other admiration at Candi Sari is the beauty of the reliefs sculpted around Sari Temple both on the walls and arcanya. Sari temple has 36 statues that are almost the same size as the general human being that is 8 statues on the east wall, 8 statues on the south wall, 8 statues on the north wall, and 12 statues on the west wall. Besides statues, sculptures of various shapes also fill the walls of Sari Temple. Kinara Kinari, Suluran, Kumuda, and Kalamakara Relief are so decorative that it does not look spooky to decorate beautifully. Sari temple also has a feature like Kalasan Temple,