Sangkilon Temple

The Grand Traces of Buddhist Civilization: Exploring the History and Architecture of Sangkilon Temple

Sangkilon Temple is one of the archaeological gems hidden in the plains of Padang Lawas, North Sumatra. As part of the vast Padang Lawas temple complex, Sangkilon Temple holds a long narrative about the glory of Buddhist civilization in the interior of Sumatra. This site is not just a pile of red bricks, but authentic evidence of cultural syncretism, the political power of ancient kingdoms, and a spiritual center that once pulsed vibrantly between the 9th and 14th centuries AD.

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Origins and Period of Establishment

Historically, Sangkilon Temple was built during the golden age of the Pannai Kingdom, a kingdom affiliated with or part of the Sriwijaya mandala. Based on architectural typology and the discovery of inscription fragments around the Padang Lawas area, archaeologists estimate that Sangkilon Temple was founded around the 11th or 12th century AD. This period coincided with the time when the influence of the Vajrayana (Tantra) Buddhist aliran was reaching its peak in mainland and island Southeast Asia.

The name "Sangkilon" itself refers to its geographical location in Sangkilon Village, Lubuk Barumun District. This area is a strategic point along the Barumun River, which in ancient times served as a trade artery and a main transportation route connecting the interior of Sumatra with the coast of the Strait of Malacca. The presence of the temple in this location indicates that Sangkilon was not just a remote place of worship, but part of a very dynamic economic and religious network.

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Architectural Characteristics and Construction Details

Sangkilon Temple has very specific visual characteristics that distinguish it from temples in Java. Its main building material is high-quality red brick laid using the rubbing technique (without modern cement adhesive). Structurally, the Sangkilon complex consists of one main building (biaro) surrounded by several smaller perwara (attendant) buildings.

One of the architectural unique features of Sangkilon is the shape of the stupa adorning its peak. Unlike the bell-shaped stupas of Borobudur, the stupas at Sangkilon tend to be cylindrical or resemble the dagoba shape found in South India or Sri Lanka. This strengthens the evidence of maritime connections between the Pannai Kingdom and dynasties in India, such as the Chola Dynasty.

The base of the temple is decorated with simple yet firm reliefs. The body structure has niches that likely once contained statues of deities or sacred figures in the Tantric Buddhist pantheon. Unfortunately, many of these decorative details have been worn away by age or have fallen victim to looting in the past. However, the remaining profiles of the lower and upper frames still show the extraordinary precision of brick masonry techniques of its time.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

Sangkilon Temple plays a crucial role in understanding the political map of ancient Sumatra. This site bears silent witness to the massive attack by the Chola Kingdom (South India) under the leadership of King Rajendra Chola I in 1025 AD. The Tanjore inscription mentions the conquest of "Pannai," which experts identify as the Padang Lawas region.

Despite experiencing political upheaval due to the attack, Sangkilon Temple demonstrates the resilience of local culture. After the Chola attack, religious activities at Sangkilon experienced a new aesthetic, blending local Sumatran elements with external influences. This event makes Sangkilon a historical laboratory on how a civilization can rise again after a major conflict.

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Connected Figures and Periods

The figure most often associated with the development of this region is Adityawarman, although his influence was more dominant in the Pagaruyung area. However, the very strong Tantric Buddhist style at Sangkilon has ideological similarities with the beliefs held by Adityawarman. Furthermore, wandering monks from India and China likely stopped at Sangkilon on their intellectual journeys along the major rivers of Sumatra.

This site reached its peak function during the Mauliwarmadewa Dynasty. During this period, Sangkilon served not only as a place of worship but also as a place for royal nobles to be initiated into certain spiritual levels. This is evidenced by the discovery of esoteric symbols related to Bhairawa rituals at several neighboring sites in Padang Lawas.

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Cultural and Religious Importance: Tantric Practices

Religiously, Sangkilon Temple is a center for the practice of Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism. This aliran emphasizes the use of mantras, mudras, and mandalas to achieve enlightenment. The uniqueness of Sangkilon Temple lies in how these teachings were adapted into the local culture of the ancient Batak people.

Some researchers argue that Sangkilon's architecture reflects the concept of the "Sacred Mountain" or Meru, which is the axis of the world. The rituals performed here likely involved the visualization of protective deities that were wrathful to ward off negative energy and protect the kingdom. This is why the art style at Sangkilon appears more masculine and robust compared to the softer and more decorative temples in Central Java.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

The current condition of Sangkilon Temple is under the supervision of the Center for Cultural Preservation (BPK) Region II. Over the past few decades, excavation and partial restoration efforts have been undertaken to save the main structure from collapse. The biggest challenge in preserving Sangkilon is natural factors, especially high humidity which accelerates the growth of moss and the weathering of red brick materials.

Restoration efforts at Sangkilon are carried out with the principle of anastilosis, which is reassembling fallen building blocks to their original positions based on existing archaeological evidence. Although the entire complex has not been fully restored to its original form, the restored base and body of the temple provide a real glimpse of its past grandeur. The local government continues to strive to promote Sangkilon as a historical tourism destination to increase public awareness of the importance of preserving this world heritage.

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Unique Facts and Conclusion

One unique fact about Sangkilon Temple is the precise orientation of its building towards the cardinal directions, indicating an advanced astronomical understanding by its builders. Additionally, ceramic fragments from the Song Dynasty were found around the site, proving that Sangkilon was a point of global trade convergence in the 12th century.

As part of the cultural landscape of Padang Lawas, Sangkilon Temple is a monument to the resilience of Sumatran civilization. It stands as a reminder that in the interior forests and rivers of North Sumatra, there once flourished a center of thought and spirituality recognized by the international world in its time. Protecting Sangkilon means safeguarding the identity and historical roots of a nation rich in diversity.