Gandoang Temple Site

Exploring Traces of Classical Civilization at the Gandoang Temple Site, Pandeglang

Situs Candi Gandoang is one of the most significant archaeological proofs in the Banten Province region, especially in Pandeglang Regency. Located in Gandoang Village, Cadasari District, this site stands as a silent witness to the cultural transition and the spread of Hindu-Buddhist influence in the western tip of Java Island. Although Banten is more known for its Islamic Sultanate glory, the existence of Candi Gandoang affirms that this region has much older historical roots, stretching back to the classical period of Indonesia.

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Historical Background and Periodization

Chronologically, Situs Candi Gandoang is estimated to originate from the late Sunda Kingdom period or the transition period towards Islamic influence, around the 14th to 16th centuries AD. Its location on the slopes of Mount Karang provides important clues about the cosmology of the society at that time. In ancient belief traditions, mountains were considered sacred places (hulu), where gods or ancestors resided.

The existence of this temple is often associated with a network of ancient settlements connected to other sites at the foot of Mount Karang, such as Situs Sanghyang Dengdek and Situs Cilurah. Unlike the grand and state-oriented temples in Central Java, Candi Gandoang is more local and functional, likely used as a place for meditation or worship for small communities of agrarian people and ascetics (priests).

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Architectural Characteristics and Building Materials

One of the main unique features of Situs Candi Gandoang lies in its architectural style, which does not entirely follow the Manasara-Silpasastra (Indian architectural guide) standards. This temple more strongly reflects local adaptation. The building structure is dominated by the use of natural stone or river stones (andesite) worked with a sufficiently fine technique while still maintaining the natural shape of the stone.

Morphologically, Candi Gandoang is shaped like a tiered structure consisting of several terraces. This indicates a strong influence of megalithic traditions that continued into the Hindu-Buddhist era in West Java. At the site, remains of building foundations, large brick fragments (typical of the classical era), and several stones with holes (batu lumpang - mortar stones) and flat stones strongly suspected to function as offering altars were found. No stupas or complex narrative reliefs were found, indicating that the focus of this building was on the essence of ritual function rather than visual grandeur.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

Situs Candi Gandoang holds a strategic position on the historical map of Banten. Its existence proves that before the emergence of the Banten Sultanate in the 16th century, the Pandeglang region had already been an established cultural center. This site is believed to be closely related to the existence of the Banten Girang Kingdom, a political entity that controlled the inland region of Banten before the center of power moved to the coast (Old Banten).

Based on the ancient manuscript Carita Parahyangan, the Banten region (Wahanten) was an important part of Sunda sovereignty. Candi Gandoang is seen as a symbol of the legitimacy of local rulers' spiritual power in the inland areas. Historical events often associated with the transition of this site are the period of the arrival of the influence of Syarif Hidayatullah and Maulana Hasanuddin. There are indications that pre-Islamic sacred sites like Gandoang remained respected, but their functions gradually shifted with the persuasive Islamization in the foothills of Mount Karang.

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Figures and Cultural Correlations

Although no inscriptions mention the name of a specific king who built Candi Gandoang, historians often associate this site with the leadership of Prabu Pucuk Umun, the last ruler of Banten Girang before succumbing to Islamic forces. In the oral tradition of the Pandeglang community, the area around Candi Gandoang is considered a "wingit" or sacred area guarded by the mystical powers of ancestors.

Culturally, Candi Gandoang shows syncretism between indigenous beliefs (ancestor worship) and Hindu-Buddhist elements. The use of river stones as the primary medium reflects a philosophy of simplicity and human closeness to nature, a value that is still strongly held by some traditional communities in Banten today.

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Preservation Efforts and Current Status

Currently, Situs Candi Gandoang is under the supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region VIII. Preservation efforts have been carried out through fencing the core area of the site and assigning caretakers (jupel) to maintain the physical security of the artifacts. However, significant challenges remain, especially concerning natural weathering due to extreme weather in the mountainous region and the threat of vandalism.

Restoration efforts so far have been more in the nature of consolidation, i.e., strengthening the remaining structures to prevent collapse, without altering their original form. Archaeological research continues (periodic excavations) to uncover parts of the temple that are still buried underground. Experts believe that beneath the surface of Gandoang Village, there are still larger structures that can comprehensively explain the spatial layout of the ancient settlement.

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Important Value for Education and Tourism

For the people of Pandeglang, Candi Gandoang is not just a pile of ancient stones, but a historical identity that instills pride in the past. Educationally, this site serves as a field laboratory for archaeology and history students to study classical construction techniques in West Java.

From a religious perspective, although no longer used for formal worship of any specific religion, the quiet and sacred atmosphere of this site is often utilized by visitors for meditation or simply for cultural pilgrimage tours. The existence of Candi Gandoang complements the historical narrative of Banten, indicating that this region is a meeting point of various great world civilizations, from megalithic traditions, Indian influences, to the glory of Islam, all of which have merged into the unique identity of the Banten community today.