Candi Tikus

Candi Tikus: The Splendor of a Sacred Bath from the Golden Era of Majapahit

Candi Tikus is one of the most unique and captivating archaeological relics located in the Trowulan Temple Complex, Mojokerto Regency, East Java. Unlike most temples in East Java that soar towards the sky as places of worship for gods or royal mausoleums, Candi Tikus was built descending below ground level. This site is not merely a stone structure, but an ancient hydraulic masterpiece that represents the engineering intelligence and spiritual depth of the Majapahit people.

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Discovery History and Origin of the Name

The name "Candi Tikus" was not the original name of this site in ancient times. The name emerged based on its unique discovery in 1914. At that time, the Trowulan region was experiencing a severe rat plague. Local residents attempting to eradicate rat nests discovered that the animals were entering a mound of earth on private land.

After excavation by the Dutch East Indies colonial government (Mojokerto Regent Kromojoyo Adinegoro), a magnificent structure buried several meters below ground level was found. Because it had been a hiding place for thousands of rats before its discovery, the community subsequently called it Candi Tikus. Chronologically, archaeologists estimate this temple was built in the 13th or 14th century AD, coinciding with the golden age of the Majapahit Kingdom.

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Architecture and Hydraulic Structure

Candi Tikus is built using red brick as the primary material, which is a hallmark of Majapahit architecture. Its physical form resembles a rectangular bathing pool or petirtaan measuring approximately 22.5 x 22.5 meters. The entire structure is located within a niche about 3.5 meters deep from the surrounding ground level.

On the north side, there is an entrance staircase descending to the bottom of the pool. The main focus of the site is the structure on the south side, attached to the wall. This structure resembles a miniature Mount Penanggungan or Mount Mahameru, which in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology is considered the center of the universe. At the apex of this main structure, there is a large tower surrounded by eight smaller towers (child towers).

One of the most astonishing technical features is its drainage system. Candi Tikus is equipped with water spouts or jaladwara made of andesite stone and red brick. Water is channeled through ancient terracotta pipes neatly arranged behind the temple walls, indicating that Majapahit engineers understood the principles of water pressure and hydraulic distribution very well.

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Symbolic Meaning and Religious Function

In the context of ancient Javanese culture, water is considered a vital purifying element. Candi Tikus is believed to function as a petirtaan or sacred bathing place. However, this function goes beyond mere physical cleansing. The presence of the Meru miniature indicates that this place was a replica of the realm of the gods on earth.

The water flowing from the spouts in this temple was considered holy water (amrta) descending from the peak of the sacred mountain. Majapahit nobles or priests likely used this place for self-purification rituals (ruwat) before performing major religious ceremonies in the kingdom's capital. Furthermore, the irrigation system at Candi Tikus is also thought to have a practical function as a water flow regulator for the surrounding agricultural land, reflecting harmony between spiritual and ecological needs.

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Relationship with Historical Figures and Periods

Although there is no specific inscription mentioning who built Candi Tikus, its architectural style using fine red bricks with the gosok technique is very identical to the reign of King Hayam Wuruk (1350–1389 AD) or the tenure of Mahapatih Gajah Mada. Some historians associate the temple's design with descriptions in the Negarakertagama by Prapanca, which mentions beautiful pools in the Majapahit palace area.

There is also a theory suggesting that Candi Tikus might have been a bathing place for the royal family before they proceeded to Candi Bajang Ratu, which is not too far from this site. The interconnectedness of the sites in Trowulan indicates that Candi Tikus was an integral part of the well-planned urban layout of the Majapahit central government.

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Preservation Efforts and Restoration

After its discovery in 1914, Candi Tikus underwent several stages of restoration. Major restoration was carried out by the Indonesian government from 1984 to 1985. The main challenge in preserving this site is its location below ground level, making it vulnerable to rainwater pooling and moss growth.

Currently, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center (BPK) Region XI East Java routinely maintains the ancient bricks to prevent them from deteriorating due to weather. The area around the temple has also been landscaped with beautiful gardens, making it one of the premier historical tourist destinations in Mojokerto. Visitors are required to maintain cleanliness and not step on the fragile brick structures to preserve the authenticity of the site.

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Conclusion and Cultural Heritage

Candi Tikus is tangible proof that the Majapahit Kingdom was not only superior in diplomacy and military might but also in architectural art and water resource management. Its existence provides valuable insight into how past societies revered nature, especially water, as a source of life and a means of spiritual connection.

As a historical site, Candi Tikus invites the current generation to reflect on the past glory of the Nusantara. This structure, buried for centuries, stands as a silent witness to how a great civilization was able to create technology in harmony with divine values and environmental sustainability. Studying Candi Tikus means studying a national identity rich in innovation and respect for ancestral traditions.