7 Relics of Majapahit Kingdom that Still Exist Today
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internship
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Laila Afifa
Kamis, 10 November 2022 22:53 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The city center of Majapahit lies among the village of Trowulan, 12 kilometers southwest of Mojokerto in East Java. With its center in East Java, the kingdom of Majapahit left many of its historical relics around the region. Here are some of the sites of the Majapahit Kingdom in East Java.
1. Jabung Temple
Cited from Paiton District's official web page, Jabung is a temple located in a village with the same name at Paiton Probolinggo. Citing the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Directorate General of Culture, the sacred temple faces west with a staircase on the front side. This temple is divided into three parts, namely the legs, body and roof.
During its time, Jabung Temple was surrounded by a fence made of red bricks, but now there is only one corner of the fence on the southwest side of the temple with a tower in the middle.
2. Trowulan Site
Quoted from the kemdikbud.go.id cultural page, the Trowulan site is the only urban site during the classical period in Indonesia. The site covers the area of Trowulan and Soko Districts in Mojokerto Regency and Jombang District.
The Trowulan site constitutes a former city of the Majapahit Kingdom which was built on a flatland on the tip of the three mountain ranges namely Mount Penanggungan, Welirang and Anjasmara.
3. Bajangratu Temple
Bajangratu Temple is located in Dukuh Kraton, Temon Village, Trowulan District, Mojokerto Regency, as stated on the Temple Library website. This temple still holds many mysteries that are not known for certain, both regarding the year of manufacture, the king who ordered its construction, and its function.
Regarding the function of the temple, it is estimated that Bajangratu Temple was built to honor Jayanegara. The basis is due to the presence of a Sri Tanjung relief at the foot of the gate that depicts the glorifying story. Reliefs containing similar stories were also found on another site, such as in Surawana Temple.
The inside of the temple forms a corridor that runs from west to east. The stairs and hallway floors are made of stone. The inside of the roof of the temple is also made of stone blocks arranged in a north-south direction, forming a narrow space at the top.
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4. Wringin Lawang Temple
Wringin Lawang Temple is located in a small settlement that shares the same name in Jati Pasar Village, Trowulan District, Mojokerto Regency. The temple functions as the outer gate of a building complex.
On the left and right sides of the stairs of Wringin Lawang Temple, there is a gap between the two halves of the gate as high as 2 meters. On the roof, Wringin Lawang Temple is in the form of a stacked pyramid with a square peak. There are no carvings or reliefs on the walls of the temple.
5. Tikus Temple
Cited from candi.perpusnas.go.id website page, the temple is located in a small settlement of Dinuk, Temon Village, Trowulan District, Mojokerto Regency. Tikus Temple, which was originally buried in the ground, was rediscovered in 1914. The name of the temple, which means 'rat', is a name used by the local community, said to be that the location of the temple was once a rat's nest.
The purpose of the temple sparked debate among historians and archaeologists. Some argue that the temple is a bathing place (petirtaan) for the royal family, but others argue that it is a reservoir and water distribution for the people of Trowulan.
6. Kakawin Sutasoma
Not only relics of buildings, but the Majapahit Kingdom also left other relics in a form of writing. Quoted from the National Museum's official web page, the Kakawin Sutasoma is a poem written in ancient Javanese by Mpu Tantular at the end of the 14th century during the height of the Majapahit Kingdom. The poem depicts religious tolerance that has long existed in the Majapahit Kingdom.
7. Panataran Temple
Panataran Temple is a set of ancient buildings that are in line from northwest to east. The temple is located in a village with the same name in Nglegok District, Blitar Regency. In the Negarakertagama, Penataran Temple was once called Palah Temple.
Based on the inscription on a stone located on the south side of the main building, it is said that Palah Temple was built in the early 12th century AD, on the orders of King Srengga of Kediri. However, Panataran Temple continued to experience development and improvement until, even after, the reign of King Hayam Wuruk.
Muhammad Syaifulloh | Translator: Intern / Imaji Lasahido
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