Penataran Shiva Temple, Indonesia

Address

Penataran Shiva Temple, Penataran, Nglegok, Blitar, East Java 66181, Indonesia

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

Penataran or Panataran is one of the largest Hindu temple ruins complex in East Java, Indonesia. It is located roughly 12 km northeast of Blitar on the lower slopes of Mount Kelud, showing the finest examples of the region’s architecture and sculpture. This site was believed to be built between the 12th century to the 15th century as a Shiva temple during Majapahit kingdom’s golden period. This temple complex is dedicated to shiva. The main temple and several small buildings scattered within a sacred enclosure, as well as marvel at a huge collection of reliefs carved on the temple walls and terrace foundations, most are Hindu legends and the Javanese version of the epic Ramayana. This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 19, 1995 in the Cultural category.

Puranic Significance

The temple have been constructed between the 12th century to the 15th century, the temple played a significant role in the Majapahit Kingdom, especially under King Hayam Wuruk. He considered his favorite sanctuary. Penataran dates from the Kediri era. Candi Panataran is a Shiva temple. It is notable for including one of the largest Indonesian collection of reliefs showing life stories of Hindu god Vishnu in different avatar. In particular, the temple site include the Rama story in the Javanese version of the epic Ramayana, as well Krishna story as depicted Triguna’s Krishnayana epic poem.