JC. Princen Dieng Temples
Dieng temples building consists of the foot symbolizing bhurloka (the human world), the body symbolizing bhuwarloka (their purified world), and the roof symbolizing swarloka (the Gods heaven). Each has common components such as the ladder cheeks, a hollow, kala makara, jaladwara, antefik, tower angles, and kemuncak.
It is predicted that there are five groups of temple tin Dieng, four of them given the puppet names. The temple group Arjuna, Dwarawati, Gatotkaca, and Magersari Bhima. Recently also found a new temple named Wisanggeni temple at the top of the Pangonan hill.
Not far from the location found of the temple, following found a number of heritage which is still unknown its function and usefulness. Besides the discovery in this place, in the farmland population and a number of other places in Dieng found some other relics of antiquity and artifact. With all of this discovery, believed there are still relics of antiquity that have not been found because Dieng is a thousand temple place that is still in or artifact that mystery.
However the beauty of temples in Dieng is not only exotic and mystery, but there is also another side from Dieng which provides evidence that apart from on the past is human civilization as gone out Dieng plateau mountain. Not only for the moment, even far beyond its times. The following facts known about the temples in Dieng:
1. Arjuna Temple Complexes
Arjuna temple complexes is the most famous and popular temple area which is being the main tourist destination
than other temples. Its strategic location in the center of Dieng plateau and in the yard in front of the Dieng tourism area make access to this place become the most accessible tourism object from Banjarnegara or Wonosobo.
From the beginning of the Dieng Plateau tourism area built up to this day, Arjuna temple complexes is a branded market that is the most famous temple compared with other places.
Maybe because of this reason, the place is being into a cultural activities center of the exotic Dieng Culture Festival. Arjuna temple complexes consist of five temple buildings, they are Arjuna, Srikandi, Puntadewa, Sembadra and Semar temple which is exactly located facing to Arjuna temple. Referring to the shapes it resembles Mandapa in India, Semar temple estimated having a functional place to prepare a religious ceremony.
Although it is located in one complex each temple built in a different era from the VIII up to the XV century.
The interesting thing is in the 7th century of the temple development, It also happened the form evolution of a temple strongly influenced by Indian style to be the strong local characteristics. The development signed from the hollow and tower development of the temple roof.
The characteristic local development of the building started from Srikandi temple whose hollow is not yet prominent and the tower of the roof is still separated. The next is Puntadewa and Sembadra temple
whose holesis more prominent.
The development then continues to Dwarawati temple form whose hollow and tower are almost united. And the end of this development is visible on the Gatotkaca temple where the tower and roof united with the building structure.
2. Bima Temples Complexes
Bima temple actually has historical high value because they included the earliest temple built together with Arjuna temple. However, because it is separated far enough and stand-alone from Arjuna temple make it’s not popular like the Pandawa temple area. It is approximately 1 mile east of the Arjuna temple area. Or precisely, it is on a small hill at the entrance of the Sikidang crater.
Arjuna and Bima temple built at around VII-VIII century and known to have the exclusive Indian style. The form of Arjuna temple is similar to the temple in southern India known as Wimana. While Bima temple is similar to the Bhubaneswar temple.
The influence of India style still exists in Bima temple, it can be seen from the presence of Kudu in the temple. Kudu is a horseshoe arched filled with the God face as the face of glory symbol. Bima temple is the one temple whose kudu. It’s amount 24. Unfortunately, the number has not completed again.
3. Gatotkaca Temple
The Location of the Gatotkaca temple is categorized unique because it’s exactly right along the road of the Dieng plateau tourism area. It’s unique because of the daily activities of the community and public through the temple with a really close distance. An old relic which worth high value, at a glance is like the “welcome” monument in roadside.
Through this road, about 500 m toward the east located Bima temple location which is in the entrance of the Sikidang crater. In a former fungus factory located crossing with Bima temple, the local investors plan to build 3 Star Dieng Hotel.
On the reverse direction of the Gatotkaca temple about 200 m, visitors will meet the intersection of the main street where it is on its right side is the Gangsiran Aswatama location.
The location of the Gatotkaca temple is exactly next to the parking visitors’ vehicles and is just across the Kailasa area of the museum. From this side, we have a larger view to see the landscape of the Pandawa temple area, Balekambang lake, and a stretch of the extensive land potato cultivated people around the Arjuna temple. This place is also one of the entrances for visitors who want to visit Arjuna temple complexes whose distance is no more than 100 m.
Gatotkaca temple is a symbol of independence because of the manifestation of the building, 100 % have already shown local features.
4. Wisanggeni Temple
Wisanggeni temple is the newest temple because it was found in 2013. Different from other Dieng temples, Wisanggeni temple is much smaller and its location is unique because it is 2500 dpl above sea level at an altitude of Pangonan hill. Pangonan hill located on the south side of the Arjuna temple.
Appropriate with its name of puppet figure, the son of Arjuna with the fairy of heaven whose wonderfull power, but his power is always used for humanity. Wisanggeni temple has a size 1,5m long and 50cm wide and the high from the ground surface is about 1 m.
5. Setyaki Temple
Setyaki temple is located on the west side of the Arjuna temple complex. It’s about 50 m. Located near the sports field which is loved by most people in the world. Until now, Setyaki temple is still in the process of reconstruction in doing by Balai Pelestrian Peninggalan Purbakala Jawa Tengah / The center for Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Central Java.
To the north of Setyaki temple, there is Umpak – Umpak / pedestals stone guessed as the Darmasala building where in earlier times is used for rest area. Not far from the Setyaki temple site there is also the Patok Batu Lingga site located in the agriculture areas used for Sima areas or the symbol of free land.
Dieng temples are the Hindu temple. The Principal God worshiped is the Tri Murti consisting of Brahma (the creator), Wisnu (the guardian) and Siwa (the destroyer). Traces of the worship are still presence in the existence of Tri Murti relief in Srikandi Temple.
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