" or Hindu-Buddhist period. Black dots represent Hindu sites and red dots Buddhist sites. The concentration of candi is especially dense in the
Sleman Regency in
Yogyakarta, as well as
Magelang and
Klaten in
Central Java, which corresponds to the historical region of
Kedu Plain (
Progo River valley, Temanggung-Magelang-Muntilan area) and
Kewu Plain (
Opak River valley, around Prambanan), the cradle of Javanese civilization. Other important sites with notable temple compounds include
Malang,
Blitar and
Trowulan areas in
East Java.
West Java also contains a small number of temples such as Batujaya and Cangkuang. Outside of Java, the candi type of temple can be found in
Bali,
Sumatra, and Southern
Kalimantan, although they are quite scarce. In Sumatra, two exceptional sites are notable for their temple density: the
Muaro Jambi Temple Compounds in Jambi and
Padang Lawas or Bahal complex in North Sumatra. The candis might be built on plain or uneven terrain.
Prambanan and
Sewu temples, for example, are built on flat, low-lying terrain, while the temples of
Gedong Songo and
Ijo are built on hill terraces on higher grounds or mountain slopes. Borobudur, on the other hand, is built upon a bedrock hill. The position, orientation and spatial organization of the temples within the landscape, and also their architectural designs, were determined by socio-cultural, religious and economic factors of the people, polity or the civilization that built and supported them.
Java West Java West Java •
Batujaya, a compound of Buddhist
Stupa made from red brick and mortar located at Batu Jaya,
Karawang,
West Java. Probably linked with the
Tarumanagara kingdom of the 6th century AD. •
Cibuaya, a compound of Vishnuite Hindu temples made from red brick and mortar, also located at Batu Jaya, Karawang, West Java. Probably linked to the Tarumanagara kingdom in the 6th century AD. •
Bojongmenje, the ruins of a Hindu temple in Rancaekek,
Bandung Regency. •
Candi Cangkuang, the only one of the surviving West Javanese Hindu temples to be dated as early as the 8th century. It is located in Leles,
Garut,
West Java, on an island in the middle of a lake covered by water lilies. Unlike other Javanese temples characterised by their grand architecture, Cangkuang temple is more modest, with only one structure still standing. A
Shiva statue faces east toward the sunrise. Its exact date is uncertain.
Central Java Dieng Plateau The
Dieng temple compound is located on the
Dieng Plateau, near
Wonosobo, Central Java. The compound comprises eight small Hindu temples from the 7th and 8th centuries, which are the oldest in Central Java. The compound is surrounded by craters of boiling mud, colored lakes, caves, sulphur outlets, hot water sources and underground channels. The temples are: • Arjuna temple • Semar temple • Srikandi temple • Puntadewa temple • Sembadra temple • Dwarawati temple • Gatotkaca temple • Bima temple
Gedong Songo and surrounds • The
Gedong Songo compound, south-west of
Semarang, Central Java, comprises five temples constructed in the 8th and 9th centuries. The site highlights how, in Hinduism, the location of a temple was as important as the structure itself. The site has panoramas of three volcanoes and
Dieng Plateau. • Candi Klero, located in Tengaran district. • Candi Ngempon, located in Bergas district. • Candi Dukuh, located in Banyubiru District.
Borobudur and Kedu Plain The
Kedu Plain lies to the north west of
Yogyakarta and west of
Gunung Merapi and south west of
Magelang, in
Central Java. •
Borobudur, a 9th-century Buddhist monument, reportedly the world's largest. The seven terraces to the top represent the steps from the earthly realm to
Nirvana. It contains reliefs of the birth, enlightenment and death of the
Buddha. A
UNESCO World Heritage Site. •
Pawon, an 8th-century Buddhist temple. •
Mendut, an 8th-century
Mahayana Buddhist temple. •
Ngawen, an 8th-century Buddhist temple located east of Mendut temple. It contains five aligned sanctuaries, one decorated with finely sculpted lions. The name is linked to Venuvana, "the temple of bamboo forest". •
Banon, an 8th-century Hindu temple located north of Pawon temple. The few remains make it impossible to reconstruct the temple. The Hindu god statue from this temple is now located at the
National Museum in Jakarta. •
Umbul, a 9th-century bathing complex in Grabag,
Magelang. •
Gunung Sari, where the ruins of three secondary temples and the foot of the main temple remain. •
Gunung Wukir, where one of the oldest inscriptions on Java, written in 732
CE, was found. Only the bases of the main sanctuary and three secondary temples remain.
Slopes of Merapi • The Sengi complex comprises three temples,
Candi Asu,
Candi Pendem and
Candi Lumbung, Sengi, and is on the side of
Mount Merapi. Dated to the 8th and 9th century. The base of the temple has a climbing plant motif. •
Gebang •
Morangan •
Pustakasala •
Lawang Near Yogyakarta •
Candi Sambisari, a 10th century underground Hindu temple buried by eruptions from
Mount Merapi for a century. It was discovered in 1966 by a farmer plowing his field. •
Candi Kadisoka, an uncompleted 8th-century temple buried by eruptions from Merapi. Thought to have been Hindu temple, it was discovered in 2000.
Prambanan Plain •
Roro Jonggrang, the main
Prambanan complex. A 9th century Hindu temple called the "Slender Maiden". The main temple is dedicated to
Shiva and is flanked by temples to
Visnu and
Brahma. The reliefs depict
Ramayana stories. •
Sewu, a Buddhist temple complex, older than
Roro Jonggrang. There is a main sanctuary surrounded by many smaller temples. It contains well preserved guardian statues, replicas of which stand in the central courtyard at the Jogja Kraton. •
Candi Lumbung, a Buddhist temple ruin located south of Sewu temple, consisting of one main temple surrounded by 16 smaller ones. •
Bubrah, a Buddhist temple located between Candi Lumbung and Candi Sewu. •
Candi Gana, a Buddhist temple ruin rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones. There are frequent representations of children or dwarfs with raised hands. It is located east of the Sewu complex, in the middle of housing complex, and has been under restoration since 1997. •
Plaosan, a Buddhist temple compound located few kilometers east of the Sewu temple, probably dated to the 9th century. It is thought to have been built by a Hindu king for his Buddhist queen. Two main temples contain reliefs of a man and a woman and there are slender stupa. •
Arca Bugisan, seven Buddha and
bodhisattva statues, some collapsed, representing different poses and expressions. •
Sajiwan, a Buddhist temple decorated with reliefs concerning education. The base and staircase are decorated with animal fables. •
Candi Sari, once a sanctuary for Buddhist priests. It is dated to the 8th century. There are nine stupas at the top with two rooms beneath, each believed to be places for priests to meditate. •
Candi Kalasan, an 8th-century Buddhist temple built in commemoration of the marriage of a king and his princess bride, ornamented with finely carved reliefs. •
Candi Kedulan, discovered in 1994 by sand diggers, 4m deep. The square base of main temple is visible. The secondary temples have not yet been fully excavated.
Ratu Boko and surrounds •
Ratu Boko, built between the 8th and 9th centuries. It is a mix between Buddhist and Hindu styles. There is a partially restored palace auditorium and the ruins of the royal garden with a bathing pool inside. •
Arca Gopolo, a group of seven statues in a circle, as if in assembly. Flower decoration on the clothes of the largest are still visible. •
Banyunibo, a small 9th-century Buddhist complex. There is one main temple surrounded by six smaller ones, forming a stupa. Its restoration was completed in 1978. •
Barong, two almost identical temples on terraces. They are believed to be 9th-century Hindu temples and part of a sacred complex, of which they were the crown. •
Dawangsari, perhaps the site of a destroyed Buddhist stupa, now reduced to an array of
andesite stones. •
Candi Ijo, a complex of three-tiered temples, although only one has been renovated. There is one main sanctuary and three secondary shrines with statues. The rest are still under reconstruction. •
Watugudig, a group of pole sittings in the shape of a Javanese gong. About 40 have been discovered, but others may remain buried. Locals believe this to be the resting place of King Boko. •
Candi Abang, actually a well that looks like a pyramid with very tall walls. In some aspects it looks like Borobudur and has a unique atmosphere. •
Candi Gampingan, ruins, 1. underground, of a temple and stairs. Reliefs of animals at the foot of the temple are believed to be a fable. •
Sentono, at the base of Abang temple. It is perhaps younger than other regional temples. The complex is made of caves with two mouths, and there is a statue and bas-relief in the left chamber. •
Situs Payak, the best preserved bathing place in Central Java. It is 5m below ground and thought to be Hindu.
Klaten Regency •
Candi Merak, two 10th century Hindu temples located in the middle of a village east of
Yogyakarta, in the
Klaten Regency. The temples are rich in reliefs and decorations. •
Candi Karangnongko, which is difficult to date because there are few remains.
Mount Lawu •
Candi Cetho, on the slopes of
Mount Lawu, Near
Surakarta. It is a 15th-century Hindu temple above sea level. •
Candi Sukuh, on the slopes of Mount Lawu. It is a 15th-century Hindu complex resembling a
Mayan temple. Reliefs illustrate life before
birth and
sex education. •
Candi Watu Genuk, estimated to be from the 8th century and located in Mojosongo,
Boyolali • Candi Sari and Candi Lawang, located near
Mount Merapi and
Mount Merbabu in Cepogo, Boyolali
East Java Malang area •
Candi Badut, also known as
Liswa temple, a small
Shivaite temple dating from the 8th century, located west of
Malang. •
Candi Songgoriti, very similar to Candi Sembrada at Dieng. This Hindu temple is located in a valley between Mount Arjuna and
Mount Kawi, East Java •
Candi Jago, dated to the late 13th century. Terraces are decorated with reliefs in the distinctive Javanese shadow puppet style with scenes from the
Mahabharata epic and underworld demons. •
Candi Singosari, dedicated to the kings of the
Singosari Dynasty (1222 to 1292 AD), the precursors of the Majapahit Kingdom. It was built in 1304. •
Arca Dwarapala, dedicated to the kings of the Singosari Dynasty. •
Candi Kidal •
Sumberawan •
Candi Rambut Monte •
Candi Selakelir Blitar area •
Candi Penataran, East Java's only sizable temple complex, with a series of shrines and pavilions. They were constructed in the 12th to 15th centuries and are believed to be the state temple of the
Majapahit Empire. •
Candi Bacem •
Candi Boro •
Candi Kalicilik •
Candi Kotes •
Candi Wringin Branjang •
Candi Sawentar •
Candi Sumbernanas • Candi Sumberjati or
Candi Simping •
Candi Gambar Wetan •
Candi Plumbangan •
Candi Tepas Kediri area •
Candi Adan-adan, a Buddhist temple located on the northeast slope of
Kelud volcano near
Kediri town, specifically in Adan-adan village, Gurah subdistrict,
Kediri Regency, East Java. The temple was discovered in 2017. It has an exquisite fragment of a Boddhisattva head and dvarapala guardian. •
Candi Surowono, a small temple of the Majapahit Kingdom, located in the Canggu Village of the Kediri district, near Pare, in Java, Indonesia. It is believed to have been built in 1390 AD as a memorial to Wijayarajasa, the Prince of Wengker. •
Candi Tegowangi •
Arca Totok Kerot •
Arca Mbah Budho •
Candi Dorok •
Candi Tondowongso •
Gua Selomangleng •
Gua Selobale •
Calon Arang Site, a site which inspired the Leak dance of
Bali. •
Babadan or SumberCangkring Site •
Prasasti Pohsarang •
Candi Setono Gedong, today a mosque, found near
Sidoarjo,
Tretes, and
Probolinggo. •
Dermo, a 13.5 m high
gapura made of red bricks, located in
Sidoarjo. •
Pari, dated to 1293 Saka (1371 CE) and located in Sidoarjo, this Majapahit red brick temple bears similarity to temples with Champa architecture. •
Candi Sumur, located just a hundred meters from Candi Pari, probably built in the same era. •
Gunung Gangsir, located in Gunung Gangsir hamlet,
Beji village,
Pasuruan Regency, about 18 kilometres east of
Pasuruan city. •
Candi Jawi, a 13th-century funerary temple. It is a slender Shiva-Buddhist shrine completed around 1300 and located in
Tretes. • The Penanggungan sites on
Mount Penanggungan, contain terraced sanctuaries, meditation grottoes and sacred pools. There are about 80 sites in all, including
Candi Belahan, which is believed to be the burial site of King
Airlangga who died in 1049. •
Candi Jabung, dated to 1276 saka (1354 CE) according to the inscription on the top of the temple portal. It is located east of Probolinggo, near
Kraksaan. •
Candi Kedaton Probolinggo, an Andesite Hindu temple located in Tiris, Probolinggo.
Trowulan •
Candi Tikus, located in
Trowulan, which was once the capital of the
Majapahit kingdom and the controller of most of the important ports of the day. It survived thanks to a sophisticated irrigation system. Tikus held the run-off water from
Mount Penanggungan used for sanctification rites. The site also contains parts of the palace gate, entryway and water system. •
Candi Brahu, located in Bejijong village. Brahu Temple is a Buddhist temple, built in the 15 century and restored between 1990 and 1995. The temple's function is unknown. •
Candi Gentong, located 350m east of
Brahu temple. Many ceramics from the Ming and Yuan Dynasties have been found in this temple area. •
Candi Muteran, located north of
Brahu temple. The temple's function is unknown. •
Kolam Segaran, a pond of Majapahit heritage. The Pond was found in 1926 by
Henri Maclain Pont. Its first restoration ran from 1966 till 1984. The pond functioned as a place for recreation and greeting foreign guests. This was the biggest ancient pond found in Indonesia. •
Gapura Bajang Ratu •
Gerbang Wringin Lawang Mojokerto •
Candi Bangkal, located in
Mojokerto Regency. •
Candi Jolotundo, also known as Petirtaan Jolotundo. •
Candi Jedong •
Candi Kedaton Trowulan, a red brick structure that may have been the foundation of a candi. •
Candi Minak Jinggo Bali •
Candi Gunung Kawi, located in Sebatu village,
Tampak Siring area,
Gianyar Regency. It is one of the oldest temple in Bali, dated to 989 CE. The five temples are carved on the stone slopes, forming grottoes. •
Candi Kalibukbuk, located in Kalibukbuk village,
Buleleng Regency. It is one of the few Buddhist temple in Hindu dominated Bali. The temple is thought to be dated to the 8th century. • Candi Mengening, located in Banjar Sarasada,
Tampaksiring village, Gianyar Regency. Dated to the reign of king
Marakata, circa 1022 CE.
Sumatra •
Candi Biaro Bahal,
South Tapanuli,
North Sumatra •
Candi Bumiayu,
South Sumatra •
Candi Muara Takus,
Riau •
Candi Muaro Jambi,
Jambi Kalimantan •
Candi Agung, a Hindu Candi located in
North Hulu Sungai,
South Kalimantan. South Kalimantan was a base of the Hindu Kingdom of
Negara Dipa, which was then inherited by
Negara Daha. •
Candi Laras, a Hindu Candi located in
Tapin,
South Kalimantan. The Buddhist Kingdom in South Kalimantan was represented by the kingdom of
Tanjung Puri. == Gallery ==