Thursday, February 23, 2012

Historical and Archaeological Heritage of Yogyakarta (Pawon Temple)




Pawon located in the village of Borobudur, Borobudur subdistrict, Magelang regency, Central Java Province. The temple which has another name, this Brajanalan temple located about 2 km to the northeast of the Borobudur temple and 1 km to the southeast of Mendut. Location of Mendut, Pawon and Borobudur Temple is located in a straight line basis alleged that the three Buddhist temples has a close connection. Besides the location, the similarity in the three temples carved motifs are also underlie the linkages among the three. Poerbatjaraka, even argues that the temple is a memorial Pawon tine (part of) the temple of Borobudur.

According Casparis, Pawon a storage place the ashes of King Indra (782-812 AD), father of the dynasty of King Samarrattungga Syailendra. The name "Pawon" itself, according to some people, derived from the word meaning a place to store pawuan awu (ash). In a room in the body Pawon, previously thought there Bodhhisatwa Arca, as a form of homage to the King Indra who is considered to have reached the level of Bodhisattva, then placed in a temple statue Bodhisatwva. In the Middle Reef inscription mentioned that the statues are issued wajra (rays).  Batur temple is about 1.5 m tall has a rectangular ground-plan, but the edges are made winding form 20 angles. Wall shelf sculptures decorated with various motifs, such as flowers and tendrils. Unlike the Buddhist temples in general, Pawon slender body shape like a Hindu temple.

The entrance to the room in the temple is located on the west side. Above the doorway there is a jawless Kalamakara decoration. stairs to the hall is equipped with a ladder with a sculptured cheek on its outer wall. Ornate dragon heads at the base of the ladder is damaged cheek. The room in the temple is currently empty, but on the floor visible marks that show that the statue had been found at these sites.

On the front wall of the temple, on the north and south entrances, there are niches containing carvings depicting Kuwera (God of Wealth) in a standing position. Sculpture located at the south door was broken so it does not look more original form. Sculpture at the north door is still relatively intact, only the head alone that have been destroyed.

On the north and south walls of the temple there is the same relief, namely that describes the Kinara and Kinari, a pair of bird-headed man, stood flanking the Kalpataru tree that grows in a vase. Around the tree is located some purse money. In the sky was a pair of human beings in flight. At the top of the wall there is a pair of small window that serves as a vent. In between these ventilation holes are carved Kumuda.

Stackable square-shaped roof of the temple was decorated with several dagoba (dome) small in each side. Peak of the roof is decorated with a larger dagoba. (excerpt)
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