Padang Roco Temple

Padang Roco Temple: Traces of the Melayu Empire's Grandeur on the Banks of the Batang Hari

Padang Roco Temple is an ancient temple complex that stands as a silent testament to the glory of the Malayu Kingdom (Dharmasraya) in the past. Located in Padang Roco Hamlet, Siguntur Village, Sitiung District, Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra, this site is not merely a pile of red bricks, but a symbol of a power center that once connected international trade networks between the interior of Sumatra and the outside world through the Batang Hari River.

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Historical Background and Establishment

The Padang Roco site is believed to have been the administrative center of the Malayu Kingdom after its center of power moved from Jambi to the upper reaches of the Batang Hari in the 12th to 14th centuries AD. This period is often referred to as the golden age of Dharmasraya. The establishment of this temple complex is closely related to its strategic geographical position on the trade route for gold and forest products.

Historically, Padang Roco Temple reached its peak significance during the reign of King Srimat Tribhuwanaraja Mauli Warmadewa. Based on archaeological identification, the complex began construction in the 13th century, coinciding with major political dynamics in the archipelago involving the Singhasari Kingdom in Java and efforts to contain Mongol influence in Southeast Asia.

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Architecture and Construction Details

Unlike temples in Java, which predominantly use andesite stone, Padang Roco Temple was built using fired red bricks. The use of this material is a characteristic of temple architecture in Sumatra, similar to Candi Muaro Jambi and Candi Muara Takus.

The complex consists of four main buildings:

1. Temple I (Main Temple): The largest structure with a base measuring approximately 21 x 21 meters. This temple has entrance stairs on all four sides (polygonal), indicating a cosmic concept of the four cardinal directions.

2. Temples II, III, and IV: These are smaller accompanying or subsidiary structures located around the main temple.

The temple base is adorned with flat and semi-circular moldings (kumuda). One of the unique construction features is the ancient drainage system found around the temple courtyard, demonstrating the deep understanding of water management by the people of that era to prevent buildings from being easily eroded by the overflow of the Batang Hari River, which is only a few hundred meters from the site.

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Historical Event: The Pamalayu Expedition

The name Padang Roco Temple cannot be separated from the major political event known as the Pamalayu Expedition (1275–1293 AD). It is believed that this site was the location where the Amoghapasa statue was received, a gift of friendship from King Kertanegara of Singhasari to King Mauli Warmadewa of Dharmasraya in 1286 AD.

The magnificent Amoghapasa statue was placed on a base called Paduka Amoghapasa. On the base of the statue is carved the very famous Padang Roco Inscription. This inscription, written in Kawi script and Sanskrit, states that the statue was brought from Java to Sumatra by four high officials of Singhasari as a symbol of friendship and the unification of strength between the land of Java and the land of Malayu. The discovery of this statue in the Padang Roco area proves that this site was a highly respected spiritual and political center.

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Cultural and Religious Significance

Padang Roco Temple is a relic of Tantrayana (Vajrayana) Buddhism. This is evident from the iconography of the Amoghapasa statue—one of the manifestations of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara—as well as the discovery of the very large Bhairawa statue (standing 4.41 meters tall).

The Bhairawa statue found near this site (now kept at the National Museum of Indonesia) depicts a giant figure standing on a pile of corpses, holding a skull cup and a dagger. This reflects the syncretism between Tantrayana Buddhist teachings and local traditions deeply imbued with mystical aspects of power. The presence of this temple confirms that Dharmasraya in that era was a center of Buddhist learning comparable to Nalanda in India, attracting scholars and monks from various regions.

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Important Figures Associated with the Site

Besides King Srimat Tribhuwanaraja Mauli Warmadewa, this site is also closely associated with the legendary figure Adityawarman. Adityawarman was the son of Dara Jingga (a princess of Dharmasraya who was brought to Java after the Pamalayu Expedition). He later returned to Sumatra to lead and expand his territory, moving the center of government to the Pagaruyung area in the Minangkabau highlands. The traces of the power transition from Dharmasraya to Pagaruyung are deeply rooted in the land of Padang Roco.

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Preservation and Restoration Status

The Padang Roco Temple site was first reported by Western researchers like L.C. Westenenk in the early 20th century. However, serious excavation and restoration were only carried out by the Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation (BPCB) West Sumatra (now the Center for Cultural Preservation) starting in the 1990s.

Currently, the temple's base and parts of its structure have been restored. Although its roof has been lost due to age and the fragile nature of the brick material, the basic form and layout of the complex are still clearly visible. The site has now been designated as a National Cultural Heritage, protected by law to prevent further damage from human or natural activities.

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Unique Facts and Heritage

One unique fact about Padang Roco is its position as a "gateway" to civilization. Archaeologists have found that the temple's orientation faces the river, confirming that water routes were the primary mode of transportation at that time. Additionally, remnants of bricks with footprint stamps or line motifs have been found, believed to be marks from the brick artisans of that era—a form of ancient "signature."

The importance of Padang Roco Temple for modern society is not just as a tourist attraction, but as a historical identity of Minangkabau and West Sumatra. Dharmasraya, through this site, proves that long before the formation of modern nations, this region was a meeting point of great civilizations, a center of international diplomacy, and a noble spiritual center in the heart of Sumatra Island. Sustainable preservation efforts are crucial so that future generations can continue to witness the grandeur of the Melayu Empire on the banks of the Batang Hari.