Astina Temple

Tracing the Footprints of Classical Civilization in Lampung: The Astina Temple Site of Tulang Bawang

Tulang Bawang Regency in Lampung Province is not only known as a swampy area rich in natural resources but also as a crucial point on the ancient map of Nusantara. One of the most captivating relics for archaeologists and historians is the Astina Temple Site. This site is a silent testament to cultural syncretism and architectural advancements in the past, connecting the eastern coastal region of Lampung with the trade and religious dissemination networks in Southeast Asia.

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History and Origin of Establishment

Astina Temple is located in an area historically part of the dominion of the Tulang Bawang Kingdom, one of the oldest kingdoms in Indonesia whose existence was recorded by the Chinese pilgrim I-Tsing in the 7th century AD. Although the name "Astina" is identical to the capital of the Kuru Kingdom in the Mahabharata epic, this site is believed to have been founded during the transitional period between Hindu-Buddhist influence and the arrival of Islamic influence in Lampung, around the 12th to 14th centuries AD.

The construction of this temple is inseparable from Tulang Bawang's role as a strategic river port. Historians suggest that Astina Temple was built by local rulers who had strong diplomatic ties with kingdoms in Java, especially during the expansion of Sriwijaya's and later Majapahit's influence. The name "Astina" itself is most likely a form of homage to the knightly and spiritual values adapted from Sanskrit literature, which flourished during that era.

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Architectural Characteristics and Construction Details

Unlike temples in Central Java that use andesite stone, Astina Temple possesses unique characteristics adapted to Lampung's geological conditions. The primary material used is high-quality red brick fired using traditional techniques. The size of the bricks found at this site is larger than modern bricks, indicating highly advanced firing technology for its time.

The architectural style exhibits the characteristics of "Sumatran Style Temples." The structure tends to be more slender in its body and has a wide base (pedestal). Around the main ruins, fragments of reliefs have been found. Although weathered, they still show geometric patterns and vine motifs resembling those on the Muaro Jambi Temple. The absence of large statues at the main location suggests that Astina Temple might have been used more as a place for meditation or ancestral worship rather than exclusively as a temple for Hindu deities.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

The Astina Temple Site bears silent witness to the glory of the pepper trade route in the past. Its location around the Tulang Bawang river basin made it a center of religious activity for visiting merchants. One historical event associated with this site is the period of integration of Lampung's local values (Sakai Sambayan) with the formal royal governance structure.

Furthermore, this site is believed to have been a meeting place for traditional elders (Penyimbang) in the past to discuss customary law and regional defense strategies against pirate attacks that frequently threatened the eastern waters of Sumatra. The existence of permanent structures like temples in this area proves that the ancient Tulang Bawang society was not nomadic but a settled society with a well-established social stratification.

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Important Figures and Periods

Names like Datu Lebu and the ancestors of the clans in Tulang Bawang are often associated in local folklore as spiritual guardians of the Astina Temple area. Periodically, this site reached its peak function during the transitional period before the Tulang Bawang Kingdom began to weaken due to pressure from other regional powers. The influence of the Majapahit Kingdom through the Pamalayu expedition is also believed to have left its mark on the decorative style of this building, showing an acculturation between Classical Javanese aesthetics and Lampung's local wisdom.

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Cultural and Religious Meaning

For the people of Lampung, especially the residents of Tulang Bawang, Astina Temple is more than just a pile of ancient bricks. This site is considered a "Keramat" or sacred place that symbolizes their identity's origin. Religiously, this site reflects a period when Tantric Buddhism and Shaivism intersected with local animistic beliefs. Rituals of reverence for ancestral spirits were often performed around this site before the widespread introduction of Islam in the region.

To this day, the cultural value emanating from this site is one of harmonization. How the past society was able to build a spiritual monument amidst a challenging swamp environment demonstrates high resilience and intellectual intelligence.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

The current condition of Astina Temple is largely ruins and foundation structures buried under the soil. The main challenges in preserving this site are natural factors, especially high humidity and rapid vegetation growth in the tropical region. The Tulang Bawang Regency government, along with the Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation (BPCB), has conducted several excavation stages to map the actual extent of the site.

Restoration efforts are ongoing in stages, although hampered by a lack of references regarding the original form of the temple's roof. Currently, the area around Astina Temple has been designated as a protected cultural heritage zone. Safety fences and information boards have been installed to prevent damage and the removal of ancient brick materials by irresponsible parties. The development of this site as an educational historical tourism destination continues to be promoted to raise the awareness of younger generations about Lampung's rich history.

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Unique Facts and Conclusion

One unique fact about Astina Temple is the discovery of several ceramic fragments from the Ming Dynasty in the same soil layer as the temple's foundation. This proves that although Astina Temple was a sacred building, its location was part of a global trade network in the 14th century. Furthermore, the orientation of the temple building facing the river indicates that the society at that time greatly depended on the availability of water as a source of life for their livelihood and spirituality.

As one of Lampung's most valuable historical relics, Astina Temple is a window into understanding how Tulang Bawang was once a sovereign, religious, and outward-looking center of civilization. Through continuous preservation, Astina Temple will continue to tell the story of past grandeur to future generations.