Muara Takus Temple

Muara Takus Temple: Traces of Buddhist Civilization's Glory in the Heart of Riau

Muara Takus Temple is an ancient temple complex located in Muara Takus Village, XIII Koto Kampar District, Kampar Regency, Riau Province. As the only historical heritage complex in the form of a temple in Riau, this site is tangible proof of the strong influence of Buddhism and high civilization activities in the Sumatran jungle in the past. Its existence provides a unique glimpse into trade routes and the spread of religions that traversed the major rivers of Sumatra's interior.

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Origins and Historical Periodization

Although the exact time of its construction is still debated among archaeologists, Muara Takus Temple is believed to have existed since the golden age of the Sriwijaya Kingdom, estimated to be between the 7th and 12th centuries AD. Some historians argue that this complex reached its peak of function in the 11th or 12th centuries AD. The name "Muara Takus" itself is derived from the name of a small river that flows into the Kampar Kanan River, namely the Takus River. In the local language, "Takus" is thought to originate from the words "Tua" and "Kus" (from Sanskrit/Chinese), referring to an old temple or sacred place.

The site was first reported by a Western researcher named Cornet De Groot in 1860. Since then, various studies have been conducted by experts such as WP Groeneveldt, Yzerman, and Schnitger to uncover the historical veil behind the piles of red bricks. The close relationship of this site with Sriwijaya is strengthened by its strategic location on the river route connecting the east coast of Sumatra to the interior, which was an important economic route at that time.

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Unique Architecture and Construction Details

The Muara Takus Temple complex is surrounded by a white stone wall measuring 74 x 74 meters. Within this area, there are several main buildings with architectural characteristics different from temples in Java. One of the most striking features is the use of construction materials consisting of a mixture of bricks, sandstone, and river stones.

The main buildings within this complex include:

1. Candi Mahligai: This is the most intact and iconic building. Shaped like a stupa approximately 14.30 meters high, this temple bears resemblance to stupas in Myanmar or Sri Lanka. Its top is cylindrical with decorations of lotus petals (padma). The uniqueness of Candi Mahligai lies in its slender and towering form, very different from the round stupas in Borobudur.

2. Candi Tua: This is the largest building in the complex. It is rectangular with a base size of 32.80 x 21.80 meters. Its construction consists of piles of red bricks and has stairs on the east and west sides. This structure is believed to be the main building for religious ceremonies.

3. Candi Bungsu: Located west of Candi Mahligai. This temple is unique because it was built using two different types of materials: the northern part is made of sandstone and the southern part is made of red brick. This indicates two phases of construction or renovation at different times.

4. Candi Palangka: Located east of Candi Mahligai, this is the smallest building, functioning as an altar or offering place.

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Historical Significance and Associated Figures

Muara Takus Temple is not just a physical structure, but a symbol of cultural integration between India, mainland Southeast Asia, and the Nusantara. In the records of I-Tsing, a Buddhist monk from China, a very large center for Buddhist learning in Sumatra is mentioned. Historians suspect that Muara Takus was one of the important educational centers or places of worship that supported the power of Sriwijaya in the northern region.

This site is also associated with the arrival of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist influences. The discovery of gold fragments inscribed with Buddhist mantras in Nagari script indicates a strong intellectual connection with Nalanda University in India. Although there are no specific inscriptions mentioning the name of the king who built it, its architectural style reflects the influence of Eastern Indian Pala art that developed during the Syailendra Dynasty.

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Religious and Cultural Functions

As a Buddhist site, Muara Takus served as a place for religious rituals, meditation, and most likely as a cremation site or repository for the ashes of important figures. To this day, its sacredness is maintained. Every year, Buddhists from various regions, even from abroad, come to this location to celebrate Vesak Day. The pradaksina procession (walking around the temple clockwise) under the shade of Candi Mahligai becomes a scene that connects the past with modern spiritual life.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

The condition of Muara Takus Temple when it was first discovered was very concerning, with many parts covered by bushes and experiencing collapse due to weather factors. Large-scale restoration efforts were carried out by the Indonesian government through the Department of Education and Culture from the 1970s to the 1990s. This renovation focused on strengthening the building structures without losing the authenticity of its materials.

Currently, Muara Takus Temple is managed as a national Cultural Heritage Site and has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Tentative List). Current preservation challenges include protection against river abrasion threats and the maintenance of ancient bricks that are susceptible to moss and weathering due to high humidity in the Riau region.

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Unique Facts and Remaining Mysteries

One of the unique facts about Muara Takus is the use of "white stone" for the boundary wall, which is geologically uncommon in the surrounding area, indicating that the material was brought from a distant place. Furthermore, the design of Candi Mahligai, resembling "Phra Pathom Chedi" in Thailand, provides strong clues about past cross-border cultural exchange.

The mystery of why such a large complex was built so far inland, away from the coast, is still being studied. However, the existence of the Kampar River, which was navigable by large ships in the past, provides a logical answer that Muara Takus was an important meeting point for traders from upstream and downstream Sumatra.

In conclusion, Muara Takus Temple is an invaluable historical gem for the Indonesian nation. It stands as a monument to the diversity and progress of civilization in the Malay land of Riau, reminding us that long before independence, this region had already been a respected center of learning and spirituality in the Southeast Asian region.