Plaosan Temple

Historical Origins and Construction Period

Candi Plaosan was built during the reign of Rakai Pikatan of the Sanjaya Dynasty (Hindu) and his consort, Pramodawardhani of the Syailendra Dynasty (Buddhist). Based on the Cri Kahulunan Inscription (842 AD) and the Karangtengah Inscription, this complex is estimated to have been completed in the mid-9th century. The construction of this site was not merely a religious project, but a political and personal monument marking the unification of two great dynasties that had previously often competed in Java.

The site is divided into two main groups: Plaosan Lor (North) and Plaosan Kidul (South). Although both are on an imaginary line, Plaosan Lor is larger in scale and in better condition than its southern counterpart.

Architecture: A Blend of Hindu-Buddhist Aesthetics

Candi Plaosan is known by the nickname "Twin Temples" due to the presence of two identical main buildings in the Plaosan Lor complex. Architecturally, the site adopts the Mahayana Buddhist style, but with touches of detail that show strong Hindu influence, reflecting the background of its royal builders.

The main buildings consist of two floors. Inside each main temple, there are six rooms divided into three rooms on the lower floor and three on the upper floor. The structure of the second floor was once made of wood, evidenced by the presence of wooden beam support holes on the temple's stone walls. This indicates the sophistication of construction at that time, capable of combining andesite stone materials with complex wooden structures.

The temple roofs are adorned with rows of stupas, but the temple bodies tend to be slimmer and taller, resembling the style of Hindu temples. One unique feature not found in other temples is the presence of reliefs depicting figures in noble attire, believed to be portraits of donors or nobles who contributed to the temple's construction.

Historical Significance and Narrative of Tolerance

The main historical value of Candi Plaosan lies in its role as tangible proof of peace through a political marriage. Rakai Pikatan, a follower of Shiva Hinduism, fully supported his wife Pramodawardhani's desire to build a magnificent Buddhist place of worship. The success of this construction marked a period of stability in Central Java, where inter-faith conflicts were quelled by marital diplomacy.

Numerous short inscriptions were also found within this complex, carved onto the stones of the perwara temples (ancillary temples). These inscriptions record the names of individuals who donated these structures, providing historians with insights into the social structure and bureaucratic system of the ancient Mataram Kingdom.

Key Figures and Power Relations

The existence of Candi Plaosan cannot be separated from the figure of Pramodawardhani. As the daughter of Samaratungga (the builder of Borobudur), she brought the refined artistic influence of the Syailendra dynasty to the Prambanan region. On the other hand, Rakai Pikatan demonstrated his capacity as an inclusive ruler. Through this collaboration, ancient Javanese architecture reached a highly detailed aesthetic point, evident in the exquisite reliefs of Vidyadhara and Vidyadhari adorning the temple walls.

Besides the royal couple, local figures mentioned in the small inscriptions there indicate that the temple's construction was a collective effort of the people and local nobles, not just the singular desire of the central ruler.

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a cultural heritage site, Candi Plaosan has undergone various long stages of restoration. Large-scale restoration began during the Dutch colonial era through the Oudheidkundige Dienst and was continued by the Indonesian government through the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center (BPK) Region X.

The biggest challenge in preserving this site is the large number of stones lost or damaged due to past earthquakes, including the major earthquake in 2006 that struck Klaten and Yogyakarta. To this day, hundreds of perwara temples and stupas surrounding the main buildings remain piles of stones undergoing identification and reassembly (anastylosis).

Contemporary Cultural and Religious Importance

For Buddhists, Candi Plaosan remains a sacred place for pilgrimages and religious ceremonies, especially during Vesak celebrations or other Sangha rituals. For the general public, this site has become a historical tourist destination offering exotic views, especially when the sunset illuminates the temple's stone walls against a backdrop of green rice fields.

Culturally, Candi Plaosan inspires the concept of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) through its physical evidence. It serves as a reminder that differences in belief are not an obstacle to creating something beautiful and eternal together.

Unique Facts: Reliefs and Symbolism

One unique fact that distinguishes Plaosan from Candi Borobudur or Sewu is the presence of reliefs depicting male figures (on the southern temple in the Lor complex) and female figures (on the northern temple in the Lor complex). The male reliefs depict Bodhisattvas with specific hand gestures, while the female reliefs depict goddesses in Buddhism. This is often interpreted by the local community as a symbol of balanced masculinity and femininity, reinforcing the myth that this temple is a symbol of the true love between Rakai Pikatan and Pramodawardhani.

Furthermore, the existence of man-made moats that once surrounded the complex indicates that architects of the past had considered drainage systems and site defense against water overflow, while also creating a visual effect of the temple seemingly floating on water.

With all its splendor and philosophical value, Candi Plaosan is more than just a pile of andesite stones. It is a silent yet tangible document of the intellectual, spiritual, and social glory of the Indonesian nation in the past, which must continue to be preserved for future generations.