Pari Temple

Origins and Period of Construction

Based on the inscription of the year found on the threshold stone of the entrance (which was once above the doorway), Pari Temple was built in the year 1293 Saka or 1371 AD. This period coincided with the reign of Prabu Hayam Wuruk, the greatest king of Majapahit, who ruled alongside Mahapatih Gajah Mada.

The construction of this temple had a very specific background. Unlike many temples in East Java that served as places of deification (royal burial), Pari Temple was built as a form of honor and a commemorative monument. According to historical records and local oral traditions, this temple was erected to commemorate the place where an important figure named Jaka Pandelegan and his wife, Nyai Pandelegan, achieved moksa (ascended to heaven). They were a couple who contributed greatly to the food supply (rice) for the Majapahit palace, but chose to withdraw from worldly luxuries.

Unique Architecture: Champa Influence in Java

One of the most striking characteristics of Pari Temple is its architectural style. While temples in East Java are typically slender and towering (like Bajang Ratu Temple), Pari Temple appears stout, sturdy, and wide. This style was heavily influenced by the architecture of Mison Temple in Vietnam (Champa Kingdom).

The main building structure faces west and is entirely made of high-quality red bricks, except for the threshold and some ornaments which use andesite stone. Vertically, the temple is divided into three parts: the base, the body, and the roof.

1. Base Section: Has a square plan with an entrance staircase on the west side. The temple's plinth appears very massive, giving an impression of stability.

2. Body Section: The inner chamber (garbagriha) of Pari Temple is quite spacious. No complete main statue is found inside, but traces of statue placement indicate that this place was once used for worship.

3. Roof Section: The roof of Pari Temple is a tiered square dome, similar to architectural styles in South India or Indochina, which strengthens the theory of close diplomatic relations between Majapahit and kingdoms on the Southeast Asian mainland.

Historical Significance and Relationship with the Majapahit Palace

Pari Temple is concrete evidence of Majapahit's agricultural prosperity. The name "Pari" itself means rice in Javanese. This refers to the legend of Jaka Pandelegan, who was able to produce abundant rice harvests in an area that was once barren.

Politically, the construction of this temple shows how Majapahit's central authority appreciated local figures who contributed to the kingdom's food stability. Its location in the Sidoarjo region (formerly part of Jenggala) indicates that this area was a granary as well as an important buffer zone for the Majapahit capital in Trowulan. Majapahit's international relations are also reflected here; the Champa style in this building proves that cultural and architectural exchanges occurred not only through trade routes but also through inter-royal marriages across nations.

Legendary Figures and Local Myths

The names Jaka Pandelegan and Nyai Pandelegan cannot be separated from the existence of Pari Temple. The story goes that Jaka Pandelegan was a friend or relative of Prabu Brawijaya (some sources mention a connection to the transition period or important palace figures). When there was a crop failure in the kingdom's center, Jaka Pandelegan succeeded in planting rice with extraordinary yields in the location where the temple now stands.

When the king asked him to return to the palace to receive an award, Jaka Pandelegan refused because he felt one with the land and his devotion. He then disappeared mysteriously into a well or building, which was later immortalized by the construction of Pari Temple. Not far from this location, there is Sumur Temple, believed to be the place where his wife, Nyai Pandelegan, disappeared.

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a protected cultural heritage site under the auspices of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center (BPK) Region XI, Pari Temple has undergone several stages of restoration. Major restoration was carried out during the Dutch colonial era and continued by the Indonesian government to strengthen the red brick structure, which is vulnerable to weathering and moss growth.

Despite being located in a densely populated area and not far from the Lapindo mudflow disaster site, Pari Temple still stands strong. The surrounding environment has been arranged into a clean park, making it a primary historical tourist destination in Sidoarjo. Regular cleaning using dry and wet mechanical methods is carried out to prevent the red bricks from being damaged by high humidity.

Cultural and Religious Value

Although Majapahit is known as a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom, Pari Temple exhibits a more inclusive character. There are not many intricate reliefs of deities like those in temples in Central Java. The main focus is its functionality as a place of reverence. To this day, the local community still respects this site not only as a tourist attraction but as a symbol of their village's prosperity.

The existence of Pari Temple provides a strong historical identity for the people of Sidoarjo. It serves as a reminder that the Brantas Delta region has been fertile and blessed since ancient times. For archaeologists, this temple remains an important object of study on how Majapahit's red brick technology has endured for over 600 years.

Unique Facts About Pari Temple

There are several specific details that are rarely known to the general public:

• Absence of Narrative Reliefs: Unlike Penataran Temple, which is full of Ramayana or Krisnayana narrative reliefs, the walls of Pari Temple tend to be plain with minimal geometric and floral decorations, following Champa aesthetics.
• Rubbing Technique: The construction of this temple used the "kosot" or rubbing technique, where red bricks were rubbed against each other with water until they fused without using additional cement or adhesive, creating a very strong molecular bond.
• Food Symbolism: This temple is the only large temple in East Java whose name explicitly refers to a primary agricultural commodity (Padi/Rice), emphasizing Majapahit's status as an agrarian empire.

Overall, Pari Temple is an architectural gem that transcends local boundaries. It is a blend of local wisdom in managing nature, loyalty to the ruler, and openness to foreign cultural influences, making it one of the most valuable heritages in East Java.