I entered a different dimension in exploring temples on the island of Java. This time I was in a temple that witnessed the history of the ancient Mataram kingdom that stood since the 9th century, it really is very long ago, isn't it?
On the island of Java, we can see many temples, different from the island of Sumatra which only exists in Jambi. If on the island of Java, you can see temples in several areas, almost all areas have temples or historical relics from the era before Christ to the past.
Like this, I was in one of the cultural heritage sites in Klaten, Central Java. I was standing right in front of the Lumbung temple which has 1 main temple and several small temples (I saw 16 and almost all of them were leveled to the ground). This temple is one of the proofs that there were once traces of Buddhism in Indonesia.
Lumbung Temple, taken from the word 'lumbung' which actually has an interesting meaning for the people of Java. The lumbung has a very specific meaning with food, usually a place to store rice for people from the past to the present. Lumbung has a deep meaning, doesn't it?
The origin of the name is because the shape of the temple is very similar to the community's rice barn. It is said that the barn was indeed separated from the main house of the community, because the place was very clean and also a hope that the stored rice could maintain its quality.
It is true, the shape of this Lumbung temple is unique, although it is actually very small and in a small area, but there are many other small temples that can be called stupas. Unfortunately, the main temple has been destroyed by the earthquake and is also fragile. Of course, this is a temple that has been around for a long time, even long before Indonesia's independence. Fortunately, restoration is currently being carried out and also maintaining the Lumbung temple in this condition to be maintained.
Not many people use the Lumbung temple as a place of worship, but this temple still has many well-maintained Buddha statues. There is one headless Buddha statue, there are many more statues arranged outside the temple but still in the Lumbung temple area.
The Lumbung temple is very different from the Prambanan temple which looks very artistic with various carvings on the walls. In the Lumbung temple, it is not like that, more modern, a little carving but it seems like the manufacturing process is made by stacking stones one by one. I don't really know for sure, but I think so. Seeing many temples can sometimes make us think that way.
However, in my opinion, the Lumbung temple is very clean and looks more organized even though there are many parts of the temple that are destroyed, but it is very well arranged. There is not much to see but the Lumbung temple makes a good impression.
See you the next time hive friends!
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