Candi Dadi

Grandeur on the Hilltop: Exploring the Traces and Mysteries of Candi Dadi Tulungagung

Tulungagung Regency in East Java holds unique archaeological treasures, distinct from other regions in the former heartland of the Majapahit Kingdom. One of the most geographically and architecturally prominent sites is Candi Dadi. Located atop the Walikukun hills in Wajak Kidul Village, Boyolangu District, Candi Dadi is not merely a pile of andesite stones, but a symbol of spiritual achievement and architectural resilience at a high altitude.

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Historical Background and Origins

Candi Dadi is estimated to have been built between the late 14th and early 15th centuries AD. This period coincided with the decline of Majapahit's power after the reign of Hayam Wuruk, when the focus of people's spirituality began to shift towards worship in high places (mountains). Based on its architectural style, which lacks human reliefs, archaeologists place Candi Dadi in the Late Majapahit historical phase.

The name "Dadi" in Javanese means "to become" or "to materialize." However, contextually, the name refers more to the existence of a structure that is "already made" or remains sturdy despite being in an extreme environment. This temple is part of a temple complex in the Southern Limestone Mountains, which includes Candi Pitrang, Candi Gambar, and Candi Urung, but Candi Dadi is the most intact and largest among them.

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Unique Architecture: A Temple Without Stairs

The main characteristic that distinguishes Candi Dadi from other temples in East Java is its physical structure. The temple stands on a square foundation measuring approximately 14 x 14 meters and reaching a height of 12 meters. The most unique aspect, and a mystery to researchers, is the absence of stairs, an entrance, and a sanctuary (garba graha) within the temple's body.

Structurally, Candi Dadi consists of tiered bases (batur). The upper part of the temple is cylindrical, resembling a large well with a diameter of about 3.75 meters. The hole in the center has sparked various functional speculations. Some experts suggest the hole served as a crematorium for important figures, while others believe it was a place for offerings or a symbol of emptiness in certain religious teachings.

Its construction uses finely carved andesite stones with a highly precise interlocking technique. Although it lacks narrative reliefs like Candi Penataran, Candi Dadi features strong and proportional frame profiles, indicating that its builders were professional stonemasons who understood geometric aesthetics.

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Religious and Cosmological Significance

Candi Dadi is believed to be a sacred place for the worship of Lord Shiva or a manifestation of the Mount Meru concept. Its location on a hilltop (approximately 360 meters above sea level) reflects ancient beliefs that mountains were the dwelling places of gods and ancestral spirits.

The unique cylindrical hole at its summit is often associated with the worship of "Akasa" or the sky. In some ancient East Javanese texts, there were aliran (schools of thought) that worshipped emptiness or silence. The absence of living creature reliefs strengthens the hypothesis that this temple was used for high-level meditation, detaching oneself from worldly ties. Furthermore, the temple's orientation towards a specific direction suggests its use as a simple astronomical observation point for ancient priests to determine ritual times based on star positions.

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Associated Figures and Periods

Although no inscriptions specifically mention the name of the king who built it, Candi Dadi is closely associated with the period of exile or self-imposed retreat for Majapahit nobles. When political stability in the kingdom's center (Trowulan) began to waver due to the Paregreg War, many religious elites and nobles sought tranquility in the southern region (Wajak).

The Wajak region itself has been important since prehistoric times (site of Homo wajakensis fossils). The presence of Candi Dadi in this area indicates that southern Tulungagung was a "spiritual sanctuary" for ancient Javanese civilization for centuries.

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Preservation Efforts and Current Condition

Candi Dadi has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Site by the Indonesian government. Due to its location in a forest area managed by Perhutani (Forestry Company), the main challenges for its preservation are natural factors and accessibility. In the past, the temple suffered damage from the growth of wild vegetation and tree roots that infiltrated the stone joints.

The Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XI East Java has carried out several stages of restoration and cleaning. Currently, the surrounding environment of the temple has been tidied up with open areas to prevent the stone structure from becoming damp. However, due to the absence of stairs, visitors are strictly prohibited from climbing the temple body to maintain the stability of the centuries-old andesite stones.

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Unique Facts and Attractions

One of the unique facts about Candi Dadi is its location, which offers a 360-degree view of the Tulungagung lowlands. From this vantage point, one can see a vast landscape, reinforcing the theory that the temple also served as a strategic watchtower (observation post) in addition to being a place of worship.

Another fact is the existence of "Candi Urung" nearby. The word "Urung" means "canceled" or "not completed." This creates a contrasting narrative among the local community between Candi Dadi (which was successfully completed) and Candi Urung (whose construction was halted), providing insight into the social dynamics or disasters that might have occurred during the construction of the complex in the past.

Candi Dadi remains one of the most magnificent monuments on the southern coast of Java. Its silent presence on the hilltop continues to inspire awe and raise questions about how 14th-century communities managed to transport thousands of large andesite stones to the mountaintop for spiritual devotion to the Creator.