Jawi Temple

Origins and Historical Context

Based on records in the Negarakertagama manuscript written by Mpu Prapanca, Jawi Temple was built by order of King Kertanegara, the last ruler of the Singasari Kingdom, in the 13th century (around 1285 AD). Unlike many other temples that functioned purely as places of worship, Jawi Temple had a special function as a place for pendarmaan or the sacred ash repository of King Kertanegara.

Kertanegara was known as a visionary yet controversial king. He was a devout follower of the Shiva-Buddha aliran (sect). The construction of Jawi Temple reflects the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika philosophy that began to take root during that era, where Hindu (Shiva) and Tantric Buddhist teachings were harmoniously blended into a single architectural structure. Its location, far from the Singasari administrative center (Malang), indicates that the Prigen area was an important region at that time, possibly as a sacred place of exile or a spiritual path towards the mountain peak.

Architecture: A Blend of Two Beliefs

Visually, Jawi Temple possesses very specific architectural characteristics. The body of the temple is made of dark andesite stone, but its upper part uses white (porous) stone. This has led to debate among archaeologists regarding whether the upper part was a later addition or part of the original design.

The temple faces east, with Mount Welirang behind it. This is interesting because usually temples in East Java face the mountain (the sacred qibla). The building structure consists of a base, body, and a slender, towering roof (East Javanese style).

The main uniqueness lies in the shape of its roof. The peak of Jawi Temple is a blend of a stupa (Buddha symbol) and a cube (ratna/lingga) that tapers to a point (Hindu/Shiva symbol). Inside the temple chamber (garbagriha), there was once a statue of Shiva holding Buddhist attributes. Unfortunately, many original statues have been moved to museums or are lost, but the building structure still provides a clear picture of this syncretic concept.

Relief Details and Hidden Narratives

The walls of Jawi Temple are adorned with reliefs carved using the low relief technique, typical of the East Javanese period. These reliefs surround the building in a prasawya manner (counter-clockwise), which usually signifies that the temple is related to death rituals or pendarmaan.

Although some reliefs have been worn by age, historians have managed to identify fragments of stories depicting rural life, buildings with tiered roofs, and processions of nobles. There are also reliefs depicting Jawi Temple itself, complete with the moat surrounding it, proving that the urban planning or spatial arrangement around this site was very advanced in its time.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Jawi Temple played an important role in the transition from the Singasari Kingdom to the Majapahit Kingdom. According to the Negarakertagama, King Hayam Wuruk of Majapahit frequently visited this temple during his tours of East Java. This indicates that Jawi Temple remained a highly respected sacred site even after the Singasari dynasty fell.

One unique fact is the lightning strike that damaged the temple in 1332 AD, as recorded in history. The damage was later repaired during the Majapahit era, which explains the difference in stone types between the lower and upper parts of the temple. This ancient restoration demonstrates the preservation efforts of ancestral heritage by the Majapahit rulers.

Moat and Site Ecosystem

One feature that distinguishes Jawi Temple from other sites in Pasuruan is the presence of a wide moat surrounding the temple grounds. This moat is filled with water and grows water lilies, creating the impression that the temple is floating in the middle of a pond. Symbolically, this moat represents the Samudera Mantana (Churning Ocean) that surrounds Mount Meru (the center of the universe in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology). Functionally, the moat also serves as a drainage system that helps maintain soil stability around the temple's foundation, which is located on a sloping terrain.

Preservation Efforts and Current Status

Jawi Temple has undergone several stages of modern restoration by the Indonesian government. The largest restoration was carried out between 1938 and 1941 during the Dutch East Indies administration, and continued after independence. Currently, Jawi Temple is managed by the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XI.

The current condition of the site is very well-maintained with neat green gardens. Although some relief parts are missing or damaged due to natural factors, the main structure of the temple still stands strong. Its strategic location on the side of the Prigen highway makes it a primary historical tourist destination in East Java, as well as an important research object for archaeologists studying the transition of religious ideology in the Nusantara.

Conclusion of Cultural Value

Jawi Temple is not just a stone monument, but a silent witness to the intellectual prowess of Indonesia's ancestors in reconciling differences. Its existence proves that in the 13th century, Javanese society was able to integrate two major world religions into a unique cultural identity. The values of tolerance and syncretism emanating from Jawi Temple's architecture remain relevant to this day, making it an invaluable cultural heritage for Indonesia's national identity.