Buddhist & Hindu Temples of Java

Hinduism and Buddhism were brought from India that developed around 1500 BC. Disappearance of animism and dynamism on that time led to the spread of the teachings of these religions. It served as a guidance before the advent of Islam in Indonesia. This uniqueness of Indonesian vacation attractions indulges tourists to visit temples of Indonesia.

There are many hypotheses on how Hindus and Buddhists entered Java.

• One of the most powerful were the merchants (Sanskrit: Vaisya / Waisya). In Sanskrit terms, waisya is an ordinary caste consisting of merchant. People belonging to this caste were most likely have spread these religions when they began trading in the territory of Indonesia.
• The normal effect which can be seen here is that many of these devotees belonging to these two religions build temples across Indonesia.

Some of these temples are listed here >>>

1. Sanggar Agung Pagoda

There is a unique temple in Surabaya, located inside the complex of Kenjeran Beach. It started its operation in 1999 and served as a place of worship for Tridharma people who also included Buddhist population. The distinctive feature is that you can see Dewi Kwan’s statue built on the seashore from this temple. This pagoda is made as an offering to Nan Hai Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa. The statue was built after a person at Sanggar Agung saw a white-robed woman walking on the water just before she closed the temple at night. There is also a giant Phra Phrom statue that is gold plated.

2. Sam Poo Kong Pagoda

The Pagoda is a former stopover of Admiral Zheng or commonly known as Admiral Cheng Ho. This location is also known as the Stone House Pagoda because there is a cave located on the hill. Almost all buildings are painted red and if you visit this place during the New Year then there is a celebration filled with processions, bazaar, and famous Barongsai.

Nowadays, this location is used as a place of remembrance and worshiped. The main building is a stone cave where an altar along with statues of Admiral Cheng Ho can be seen. Although Admiral Cheng Ho is a Muslim, many adherents of Confucians worship him because according to their religious teachings the dead spirit provides relief.

3. Temple Brahmavihara Arama

This temple is the only Buddhist temple among many Hindu temples of Buleleng. A monk named Girirakhito Mahatera founded this temple and served as the first monk. This temple is on a hilly area in Banjar Tegeha Village, almost 18 km away from Singaraja, The North Bali Sea view is visible from the Brahmavihara Arama Temple.

If you want to get a cool and calm atmosphere, then this temple seems great. Because the location of this temple is at a hill which creates the surrounding atmosphere quiet and safe. Everyone belonging to any religion is allowed to meditate inside this temple. a unique bell is inside the temple from Thailand. Inside this Temple, many panels depict Buddhist tales.

4. Temple Shri Mariamman

In Medan, a Hindu temple named Shri Mariamman Temple was built in 1881 and renovated twice during 1950 & 1989. From outside, this unique Indonesian temple is decorated with a gopuram, a sort of multilevel Tower commonly found at the entrance or gates of Temples of South India. Gopuram is visible in many areas of Java Island. Crowded Hindu Temples with various festivals like Deepawali and Thaipusam are celebrated in Shri Mariamman Temple.

5. Tanah Lot

Pura Tanah are two temples located on a large rock. One is located on a stone boulder and the other is located on a cliff similar to Pura Uluwatu. Pura Tanah Lot is part of Dang Kahyangan temple. It is actually a sea temple dedicated for the worship the gods of the sea.

Pura Tanah Lot is famous as a beautiful place to watch sunset. A nice spot in Bali. Pura Tanah Lot has been a part of mythology for centuries. The Temple is one of the seven shrines which forms a chain along the west coast of Bali.

6. Candi Prambanan

The largest and most beautiful Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. Located about 18 km east of Yogyakarta. Prambanan temple has three main temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple was built around 850 CE. during Mataram Kingdom. As one of the grandest temples of Southeast Asia, Prambanan temple attracts tourists from all over the world. Moreover, this temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

7. Mendut Temple

The Karangtengah inscription (824 CE.), tells the story of king Indra who built Wenuwana. Mendut Temple was built during the reign of King Indra of Syailendra dynasty. In 1836, it was rediscovered. The Dutch East Indies government began restoration of Mendut Temple from 1897-1904. The temple complex was created with bricks which covered with stones.

8. Candi Kalasan

Kalasan Temple or Kalibening Temple is a Buddhist temple in Yogyakarta province of Indonesia. This temple has 52 stupas. The temple is located on the side of the highway between Yogyakarta and Solo which is 2 km from Prambanan temple. There are three temples outside the main temple complex, in the shape of a stupa. It is composed of interrelated stones. The temple has been restored in 1927 and in 1929 respectively, although people still find it difficult to see the real essence of this temple. Because the original rock structures went missing from the temple complex.

9. Goa Lawah Temple

The temple of Goa Lawah attracts many domestic and international tourists in Indonesia. In addition to the holy temples found in Indonesia, this particular one has a story behind it, here the people believe that the temple hides the flow of rivers which cures diseases.

• Some uniqueness of these temples as the most visited vacation attractions is what indulges many people to visit this temple.

In addition to having hundreds of bats that inhabit this cave. There are myths surrounding this cave which creates a mystical aura it. Indonesia is a Muslim dominated nation, there are five recognized religions in Indonesia, including Hinduism and Buddhism. A tolerable nation in Asia that offers many tourist spots ranging from Java to the island of Sumatra makes it a favourable vacation spot. The spread of Hinduism and Buddhism makes the existence of temples of Indonesia.

10. Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is a Buddhist temple of Central Java. The temple is around 100 km to the southwest of Semarang, 86 km west of Surakarta, and 40 km to the northwest of Yogyakarta. According to historical evidence, this temple was abandoned in the 14th century as the influence of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms on Java diminished and the increasing influx of Islamic influence was there at that time.

Borobudur is still a place of religious pilgrimage. Every year Buddhists who come from all over Indonesia and abroad gather in Borobudur to commemorate the Vesak Trisuci. In the world of tourism, Borobudur is the single most visited tourist attraction inside Indonesia.