PERWARA

TEMPLES
Dr Uday Dokras

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 I
INTERPRETING THE WORD PERWARA
DR UDAY DOKRAS

Temples have spiritual significance as houses of the divine, places for worship and rituals,
symbols of community unity, and centers of spiritual education. They often represent the cosmic
order and provide spaces for prayer, meditation, and purification, fostering a connection with the
divine and promoting spiritual growth.

Rakai Pinkaton Structures

Rakai Pikatan- Sang Prabhu Jatiningrat- Great King of Mataram was also known as..
1. Rakai Pikatan Dyah Saladu=(Wanua Tengah inscription)
2. Rakai Pikatan Dyah Kamulyan Sang Prabhu Linggeswara
Sakabhumandala=(Wangsakerta script)
3. Rakai Mamrati Sang Jatiningrat(Wantil inscription)

He was a king of the Sanjaya dynasty Mataram Kingdom in Central Java who built
the Prambanan temple, dedicated to Shiva, which was completed in 856 AD. Rakai Pikatan
was also called Mpu Manuku.
The monarch of the Mataram Kingdom before Rakai Pikatan was Samaratungga of
the Shailendra Dynasty. He had one son, Balaputra, and one daughter, Pramodhawardhani.
Rakai Pikatan and the Sanjaya dynasty were Shivaite Hindus and is recorded in the Wantil
Inscription as having married a daughter of another religion. This is most likely
Pramodhawardhani, the Mahayana Buddhist daughter of Samaratungga.

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It's believed that Pikatan fought his brother in law Balaputra, forcing him to move
to Srivijaya in 856. Other interpretations based on the Kayumwungan inscription put
Balaputra as Pramodhawardhani's uncle rather than her brother as inscriptions only list
Pramodhawaradhani as a child of Samaratungga. Hence, Balaputra went to Srivijaya not
because of force but because he had no claim as a brother of the monarch.
According to the interpretation of Loro Jonggrang legend, Pramodhawardhani's likeness was
the model for Durga's image in the Prambanan temple. Rakai built many temples surprisingly
both Hindu and Buddhist having 1 foot in each religion consequent to his marriage to a
Buddhist lady. His region boasted of a trend of having multiple temples in a single
compound.This could be also attributed to Rakai Pikatan.Temples such as Sewu which we
will deal with in details here as well as Ploasan, Sambirejo (Ijo), Lubrung, Burbah,
Prambanan and perhaps other temples that no longer exist above ground but may be
discovered ion future. One does not know.
We will consider a few of these with main and ancillary temples. In this context one can
describe the following offsprings:

1. Perwara means guardian or peripheral and perwara is an Indonesian word for an

escort temple.

2. Vahana is from Sanskrit word Vahana, from Old Javanese wāhana, from
Sanskrit वाहन, from वह्, a word for wagon. Also means carrier. Hindu Gods had
Vahanas . See my paper Vahanas- the vehicles of Hindu
Gods.https://www.academia.edu/44665352/Vahanas_the_vehicles_of_Hindu_Gods

3. Apit temples means dry temple may also indicate squeezed as in Malay language.

4. Patok Temple would mean a Pole or Stake- something sticking out of the ground.

Prambanan temple complex is one of the biggest Hindu religious heritage in Indonesia.
Temple complex consists of 3 main temple with a height of 47 meters, namely Candi Siwa,
Brahma Temple and Vishnu Temple (the name comes from the main deity in the Hindu
religion) and is surrounded by small temples called the temple Perwara. Prambanan Hindu
Religion is a holdover from the IX century. Located on the edge of roads Yogya to Solo at
17th km east of Yogyakarta. Supported facilities such as archaeological museum, audio
visual, school, park playground, and so forth, this temple is one of the archaeological wealth
of the world become one of the goals of tourism.

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With over 500 temples, Prambanan Temple Compounds represents not only an architectural
and cultural treasure, but also a standing proof of past religious peaceful cohabitation.

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"yatnavanto yava dviipam sapta raajya upashobhitam | suvarNa ruupyakam dviipam suvarNa
aakara maNDitam || 4-40-30 yava dviipam atikramya shishiro naama parvataH | divam
spR^ishati shR^ingeNa deva daanava sevitaH || 4-40-31 eteSaam giri durgeSu prapaateSu
vaneSu ca | maargadhvam sahitaaH sarve raama patniim yashasviniim ||"

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“You strive hard in the island of Yava, which will be splendorous with seven kingdoms, like
that even in Golden and Silver islands that are enwreathed with gold-mines, in and around
Yava islands. On crossing over Yava Island, there is a mountain named Shishira, which
touches heaven with its peak, and which gods and demons adore. You shall collectively rake
through all the impassable mountains, waterfalls, and forests in these islands for the glorious
wife of Rama.” 4-40-32 - The Ramayana.

 To reject the necessity of temples is to reject the necessity of God. Said Mahatma
Gandhi.
 The Gods always play where groves are nearby, rivers, mountains and springs, in
towns with pleasure gardens. Brihat Samhita, 55.8.
 The rich will make temples for Shiva. What shall a poor man like me do? My legs are
pillars, the body the shrine, the head a dome of gold. –Basavanna

Is it Lord Shiva at Prambanan – Presentation of temples of Central Java ?

Java, Bali and Sumatra are all Sanskrit names. All of the most ancient of Indonesian shrines
are dedicated to Indian Vedic deities and depict scenes from Indian epics. Their language is a
dialect of Sanskrit known as Basha, a Sanskrit term. The Indonesian flag, being of two colors,
bears the Sanskrit name Dwivarna. The five cardinal points of the Indonesian constitution are
also designated by Sanskrit word Panchashila. The old Javanese alphabet derives from the
Pallava script of South India. One such inscription was found in the south-eastern region of
Borneo (Kalimanthan) on four octagonal stone pillars, written in the Sanskrit in a 4th century
Indian script. Indonesians still follow the Vedic year and call it Sakh-Samavat. It is not
generally known that the name "Indonesia" does not refer to Asia. The term "Nesia" signifies
a group of islands, and "Indo" of course means India. Thus, Indonesia means Indian Islands.
Not far from Borobudur is the complex of Prambanam, the like of which is known neither to
India or to any other neighbouring or distant land. Here are the life cycles of Lord Krishna as
Krishnayana parallel to the Ramayana, the powerful dragon being torn asunder by the superb
arms of the Divine boy Krishna. In another place is the scene of Kumbhakarna being
awakened by conches and screeches of elephants, a portrayal of the highest order. The central
triad of temples are devoted to the Trimurti (Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu). The ancient name
of Borneo is Kalimanthan. Kali is the popular Indian goddess who is devotedly worshipped
by the general masses of Vedic followers and Indian rulers alike. The sultan of Brunei bore
the title of Seri Bhagawan, meaning Shri Bhagavan (Lord Almighty).

Java was known by Indian chroniclers before 600 BCE. The name Java comes from the
Sanskrit Jawadwip, which means a (dvip) island (yawa) shaped like a barley corn. The Vedic
Indians must have charted Java, Yawadvip, thousands of years ago because Yawadvip is
mentioned in India's earliest epic, the Ramayana. The Ramayana reveals some knowledge of
the eastern regions beyond seas; for instance Sugriva dispatched his men to Yavadvipa, the
island of Java, in search of Sita. It speaks of Burma as the land of silver mines. The Agni
Purana, along with many other Puranas, calls India proper as Jambudvipa as distinguished
from Dvipantara or India of the islands or overseas India. Towards the end of the fifth
century, Aryabhatta, the Indian astronomer, wrote that when the sun rose in Ceylon it was
midday in Yavakoti (Java) and midnight in the Roman land. In the Surya Siddhanta reference
is also made to the Nagari Yavakoti with golden walls and gates.

The Indian influence over South-East Asia expanded a lot during the time of Pallavas
between the fifth and seventh centuries and the influence was mainly seen in Cambodia. In

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Indonesia, Srivijaya, a maritime power and dynasty which controlled the empire stretching
from Sumatra to Malaya, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam arose from obscurity in the 8th
century. Srivijaya was an Indianized polity, with its capital near Palembang in South Eastern
Sumatra. Rival to the Srivijaya dynasty was the joint kingdoms of Sailendra and Sanjaya
based in central Java. It was during their time (after 780 CE) that the temple building activity
flourished in the island. These temples were based on the layout and elevation of the Pallavan
and Chalukyan temples which were based on Vastu Shastra.

The Agni Purana, along with many other Puranas, calls India proper as Jambudvipa as
distinguished from Dvipantara or India of the islands or overseas India. Towards the end of
the fifth century, Aryabhatta, the famous Indian astronomer, wrote that when the sun rose in
Ceylon it was midday in Yavakoti (Java) and midnight in the Roman land. In the Surya
Siddhanta reference is also made to the Nagari Yavakoti with golden walls and gates. Strong
Hindu influences were inevitable, given that the spiritual inspirational source was India.

Dr. Ananda Kentish Cooraswamy (1877-1947) the late curator of Indian art at the Boston
Museum of Fine Arts, was unexcelled in his knowledge of the art of the Orient, and
unmatched in his understanding of Indian culture, language, religion and philosophy. He is
the author of ' The Dance of Shiva: Essays on Indian Art and Culture' He was of the opinion
that:"the Prambanam reliefs are, if anything, superior to those of Borobudur and certainly
more dramatically conceived." (source: History of Indian and Indonesian Art - By Ananda K
Coomaraswamy p. 200 - 213).

Historians assert that between c. 840 and 850 CE, King Rakai Pikatan ordered
the construction of Prambanan. The main temple complex was created and designed under
the direction of Rakai Pikatan, while Rakai Kayuwangi, Balitung, Daksa, and Tulodong,
among other succeeding monarchs, soon afterwards constructed additional buildings. The
Hindu Sanjaya dynasty, which competed with the Buddhist Sailendra dynasty for control of
the “Medang”/Mataram kingdom in central Java, was represented by Rakai Pikatan and his
heirs. It is important to remember that the Sailendra dynasty oversaw Borobudur’s
development as a Buddhist temple. Some academics believe that Prambanan’s origins were a
direct aesthetic, political, and religious response to those of Borobudur and the rival Sailendra
dynasty because of the proximity of the two structures just 19 km apart.The architecture of
the Prambanan temple complex follows Vastu Shastra and was built on the model of Mount
Meru, the Cosmic mountain. The whole temple complex is a model of the Universe according
to Hindu cosmology. The urban center and the court of Mataram were located nearby, in
what would later become Yogyakarta.

The Prambanan Plain

The Prambanan Plain spans between the southern slopes of Merapi volcano in the north and
the Sewu mountain range in the south. The plain, valley and hills around it are the location of
the earliest Buddhist temples in Indonesia.

It is called ‘ the plain of a Thousand Temples’ — this area was an important spiritual and
political center. Located not far from the Buddhist Borobudur temple, the proximity of the
two temples tells us that on Java, Buddhism and Hinduism lived peacefully next to one
another. Prambanan is a magnificent spectacle. Prambanan, less well-known, is the Hindu
equivalent of Borobudur, and from roughly the same time period. They are stylistically polar
opposites: Borobudur is powerful and muscular, whereas Prambanan (a suggested etymology
is ‘brahma-vana’) is tall, slender and ethereal. Indeed, another name for Prambanan is

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‘slender maiden’. It consists of three temples, one each to Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The
Siva temple is the tallest and the best preserved. The temples at Prambanan were built in the
9th century and is known locally as Roro Jonggrang, coming from the legend of the ‘slender
virgin’. While it’s not a temple set in a remote rustic setting, the splendor of the temple will
make you quickly forget your surroundings. You will be transported back to an ancient time
where ritual and culture dominated every part of life.

The biggest temple is dedicated to Shiva – the destroyer, and the two smaller ones which sit
on its right and left are dedicated to Brahma, the creator, and Visnhu, the sustainer. The
tallest temple of Prambanan is a staggering 47 meters high. Its peak visible from far away and
rises high above the ruins of the other temples.

Its Indonesian candi architecture adheres to the traditional Mandir Vastu Shastra plan -based
Hindu architectural practices. Which itself removes it from the traditional CANDI genre
because of the overwhelming Hindu temple architecture influences incorporated into its
Mandala temple design arrangements and the customary tall, towering spires of Hindu
temples incorporated into its design. This “Candi” was created to resemble Meru, the sacred
mountain and home of the gods. The temple serves as a representation of the Hindu cosmos.
In my book which is a collection of my articles on the Hindu temple and particularly the-
Garbagriha: I have discussed the perennial form of the Hindu temples as a three chambered
structure and in The 4 sided Hindu Mandir(temple)plan I have underlined the design element
that overpowered all creative considerations and followed a 4 side plot plan
https://www.academia.edu/89359446/4_The_4_sided_Hindu_Mandir_temple_plan
https://www.academia.edu/68997758/
The_Evolution_of_the_Garbhagriha_or_Sanctum_of_Hindu_Temples_and_3_CHAMBERED_TEMPLES

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Statue of Durga Mahishasuramardini or according to local legend known as Loro
Jonggrang, inside northern cellar of Shiva temple, Prambanan, Central Java, Indonesia. See
Red arrow

The Shivagrha inscription states that a public water work to alter the path of a river close to
the Shivagrha temple was carried out when the temple was under construction. On the
western side of the Prambanan temple complex, a river known as the Opak River currently
flows from north to south. According to historians, the river was once curled farther to the
east and was too close to the main shrine. According to experts, the river rerouted to protect
the temple complex from the flood of lahar volcanic debris from the Merapi volcano. Cutting
the river on a north-south axis within the perimeter of the Shivagrha Temple complex marked
the project’s completion. The original river course was dried in and levelled to allow for
the expansion of the temple and the placement of groups of pervara (additional) temples,
indicating the temple’s significance to society. The father of the Khmer Empire, King
Jayavarman II (802–1431 CE), spent a significant portion of his life in Java, as per ancient
Khmer sources. Samaratungga appointed him as the administrator of Indrapura, which would
subsequently become Champa’s capital city around 875 CE. According to mythology,
Jayavarman visited both Prambanan and Borobudur, which gave him the idea to construct the
massive city of Angkor Wat. This is quite likely since during the eighth, ninth, and
tenth centuries CE, the Sailendra and Sanjaya dynasties greatly influenced politics and
culture in what is now Java, Sumatra, Malaya, and southern Cambodia through their
thalassocracies.

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 Circular Formations

A Hindu temple is popularly known as mandiram, devaalayam or devastanam, meaning the

shrine, abode or place of God. For the people on earth the Hindu temple serves as a sacred
place (devasthanam) or a place of pilgrimage (thirthasthalam) and heaven on earth.
Functionally it brings gods and humans together and gives them an opportunity to help each
other. Humans make offerings to gods and nourish them with food and devotional offerings
of prayers, songs, etc., while the gods reciprocate by protecting them from diseases,
misfortunes and calamities, removing their difficulties, cleansing their sins or helping them
achieve the four aims of human life namely dharma, artha, kama and moksha. Vedic people
did not build temples, nor did they worship images of gods in their abodes. They performed
sacrifices and nourished gods through sacrificial ceremonies, during which they might have
used images to perform symbolic sacrifices. Although they did not practice idol worship or
build temples, elements of Vedism as well Tantrism can be found in the structure and
configuration of present day Hindu temples. The practice must have emerged later as more
people from outside the Vedic fold began practicing it and incorporated their own beliefs and
practices into it.

Each traditional Hindu temple is essentially a universe in itself. It is a miniature replica of

God’s creation, which reflects its diversity, divinity and complexity, reminding us of the
presence of God upon earth and our duties towards him and his Dharma. The theoretical
aspects of the Hindu temple are according to the knowledge contained in the Vedas, the
Tantras and other Shastras, while the design, geometric and architectural aspects are drawn
from ancient building manuals (Vastu Shastras) and treatises on traditional sculpting (Shilpa
Shastras). To honour events of Mahabharata and Ramayana, the temple could have been
designed.

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The layout, themes, basic arrangement of its parts, placement of the deities, ornamentation,
and ancillary structures follow centuries’ old practices, beliefs and values of Hinduism. In the
past, and even now, Hindu temples offer an opportunity to the patrons to engage in charity
and philanthropy, while they help devotees engage their minds in divine contemplation and
religious worship. Over a time, Hindu temples also incorporated many foreign motifs from
Greek, Islamic and European cultures. They were found mainly in the Indian subcontinent
and in a few other countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia
were Hinduism thrived. Presently. Today Hindu temples are found all over the world,
especially in countries where sizeable Hindu population exist such as Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, Suriname,
South Africa, Europe, Australia and North America. The world’s oldest and largest temple is
the Angkor vat in Cambodia, while the largest, most recent temple is said to be the Swami
Narayan (BAPS) temple at Robbinsville, New Jersey, the United States.

Compared to the temples in Angkor Wat, the temples of Prambanan are much easier to
navigate considering its compact structure. However, we do not know what remains is the
complete or residual structures, and therefore the number of the surrounding adjuvant temples
need not have been the same as what remains.

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Indonesia’s largest holy site is the Prambanan temple complex in Central Java.

‘Prambanan’ means Para Brahman (“Temple of God Almighty”) and one can naturally
assume that it is a Shiva temple dedicated to the Trimūrti. Its original name was Shiva-
grha (the House of Shiva). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, and the largest Hindu
temple site in Indonesia and the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat . Main characteric
of its Hindu architecture is tall and pointed architecture and towering with 47 m height in the central
building (Shiva temple). It borders the Opak river, that was cut along a North to South axis
along the outer wall of the Shivagrha Temple compound. This exquisite architecture was
constructed many centuries before both Angkor Wat and the great cathedrals of Europe. Let
me now come to two of the very erudite and brilliant literary endeavours that crystallize the
design elements of the Prambanan. After hundreds of years of neglect, the Prambanan temple
was rediscovered by CA Lons, a Dutchman, in 1733. The grandeur, complexity, and
integrated architectural concept of Prambanan makes this a truly amazing structure. As a
unique cultural and architectural marvel, Prambanan was declared a World Heritage site in
1991 by UNESCO.Surrounded by lush landscape and detailed architecture this temple
compound covers 39.8 hectares. In the main yard, there are the following Mandirs or
temples :
1. 3 (three) main temples,
2. 3 (three) Wahana temples,
3. 2(two) Apit temples, and
4. 8 (eight ) Patok temples surrounded by fences.
5. 224-In the second yard, there are another 224 Perwara temples.

1. The three main temples are dedicated to Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The
biggest temple is dedicated to Shiva —the destroyer, and the two smaller ones which flank it
on the east and west are dedicated to Brahma — the creator and Vishnu — the sustainer. The
tallest temple of Prambanan—the main Shiva temple—is a staggering 47 meters (130 feet)
high. Its peak is visible from far away and rises high above the ruins of the other temples.The
temple across from the Shiva temple contains a fine image of a Nadi bull and the Lingga
Batara Siwa stone, a symbol of fertility. . The main temple of Shiva houses the magnificent
statue of a four-armed Shiva, standing on Buddhist-style lotus blossoms. In the northern cell
is a fine image of Durga, Shiva’s consort. Some believe the Durga image is actually that of
the Slender Virgin, who according to legend was turned to stone by a giant she refused to
marry. The outsides are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the Ramayana story. The Siva
temple had four statues: located in the centre chamber is the Siva statue; in the north chamber
stands the Dewi Durga Mahisasuramardhini statue; in the west chamber stands the Ganesya

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statue; and the south chamber contains the statue of Agastya. Inside the Brahma temple there
is Brahma statue, and in the Vishnu temple there is the Vishnu statue. In the Vishnu temple is
carved the story of Kresnayana, while the Brahma temple houses the continuous story of the
Ramayana. The temples of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma are decorated with reliefs illustrating
the Ramayana period (history of the Hindu hero Rama, written around 300).

The high structures are typical of Hindu architecture, and the plan of the temple complex
is a Mandala, as is Borobudur. As a symbol of the Hindu cosmos, the temple is vertically
divided into three parts, both vertically and in plan. The three part is divided into
Jaba/Bhurloka, Tengahan/Bhuvarloka, and Njeron/Svarloka.

At the Garbagriha (innermost sanctum) of this temple sits a three meters statue of Shiva.
Prambanan as a Hindu Temple was made High and slim compared to Borobudur, with
the main Shiva shrine stands 47 meters in the middle of the complex surrounded with
smaller temples. Prambanan has a bas-relief on the inner side of the gate around the three
main shrine. The bas-relief tells the story about Ramayana and can be read from the east
gate clockwise around the inner compound.

2.Wahana Temples are 3 in number dedicated to the 3 vahanas of the 3 main idols- Brahma
Vishnu Mahesh. A square platform is divided into concentric courts by square-plane walls. In
the middle of the last enceinte stand the temples dedicated to the three great Hindu gods and
three small temples dedicated to their animal vehicles (Bull for Siva, Eagle for Brahma and
Swan for Vishnu). Other minor temples were located at the entrance gates or outside the
central enceinte (four ensembles).

4. Prambadan is surrounded by the ruins of 240 small “guard “ temples. Altogether there
are 400 temples in the Prambadan area. Most are within five kilometers of Prambanan
village and are generally not visited except by archeology nuts. But that is not to say
they are not without merit. A good way to explore them is to rent a bicycle. The
proximity of Prambanan and Buddhist Borobudur temple tells us that on Java,
Buddhism and Hinduism lived peacefully next to one another. The surrounding
PERWARA temples are 224-In the second yard, there are another 224 Perwara
temples.

Theories on the arrangement and multiplicity of temples in the Compound

1.In PRAISE OF PRAMBANAN DUTCH ESSAYS ON THE LORO JONGGRANG TEMPLE

COMPLEX Edited by ROY E. JORDAAN - Published by the Dutch KONINKLIIK
INSTITUUT VOOR TAAL-. LAND- EN VOLKENKUNDE Translation, Series 26 we find
certain criticism or observations on the placement of the ornamental carvings in the structure.
To begin with, we find the story of Rama distributed over two of the three temples located
here- namely the Siva and the Brahma temple, while actually we would have expected the
Vishnu temple to be a pre-eminently suitable candidate for adornment with stories of his
avatar Rama. Also one can see tales of Siva depicted on the Siva temple,whereas the first
figures to be noted in the reliefs adorning this temple are those of Garuda and the second
Vishnu himself!
“The conclusion that forces itself upon us is that the priests giving instructions for this
unusual arrangement at the time these temples were designed either were no longer experts in
their profession or took considerable liberties.” It is quite possible that artistic liberties were

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taken not in the least that the craftsmen and designers were no Hinduism experts of the
standard that we today desire from an extinct piece of Art. With three main temples for the
Trimurti; Shiva the destroyer of the universe, Vishnu the keeper of the universe, and
Brahma the creator of the universe. Back in the glory days of the old Mataram Kingdom,
Prambanan is used as a Candi Agung for various royal and religious ceremonies.

Bhurloka
The base of the temples, as well as the outer square is the underworld. It was a large
space marked by a rectangular wall. This is a place for ordinary folk, mortals, both
human and animal. This is the place where lust and desire are commonplace. It is an
unholy area. Bhurloka is 390 square meters wide, it used to have stone walls surrounding
it.
Bhuvarloka
The central body of the temples and the middle square of the complex, represents the
‘middle world’ the place for those who have left their worldly possessions. This is where
people begin to see the light of truth. The middle world had four rows of 224 small
individual shrines, where all shrines are identical. Bhuvarloka is 222 square meters wide
and used to have stone walls. This compound consist of four levels, with the innermost
level the highest. The first level has 68 small stupas divided into four rows. The second
level has 60 stupas. The third level has 52 stupas, and the top level has 44 stupas. All
stupas in this compound has the same size, 6 meters wide and 14 meters high. Almost all
structure in the middle square is now in ruins.
Svarloka
The top of the temples and the innermost square represents the realm of the gods, the
holiest zone, and is crowned. There are 16 temples that consist of 3 main temples:
Brahma the Creator, Shiva the Destroyer, and Vishnu the Keeper. Shiva temple is the
biggest and the tallest amongst all with 47.6m high, while Brahma and Vishnu are 33m
high. In addition to the three main temples, there are three Wahana Temples, four Kelir
Temples, two Apit Temples and four Patok Temples.
The Svarloka area is 110 square meters wide and 1,5 meters higher than the central area.
This area is surrounded with stone walls, with four Gapura Paduraksa on four sides, only
the southern gate is still in its original state. In front of the gate is a small square stupas 4
meters high.
SUN position

He also goes on to mention that this arrangement is not a haphazard one, but on the contrary,
is inspired by a strict system - that of the course of the sun. “Hopefully other researchers will
be in a position on the basis of this to continue the repair work on the cosmic fabric with
which the temples of the Central Javanese period must have been overlaid.” As avastu expert
with my Compass to tell the N-E-W-S directions, I am confounded many times in relocation
the sun positions in view of determing the isthmus in apartments constructed one on top of
the other( not to mention sade ways) where it is difficult to romove/move windows and doors,
roof and floor( to say the least)

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 One of Perwara or smaller complementary temple.
There are three perwara temples in front of Gunung Wukir (Canggal) main temple. Canggal hamlet,
Kadiluwih village, Salam, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

2. Sitti Attari Khairunnisa,,Taufiq Hidayat, Wayne Orchiston & Nok Nikeu in their
Chapter- Astronomical Aspects of the Prambanan Temple in Central Java, Indonesia point
out that Astronomy being a well known even temples like Angkor Wat, a famous Hindu
temple located in Cambodia, integrated some aspects of astronomy into its design. The
Prambanan Temple (which is older than Angkor Wat), may have the same claim. According
to them previous research suggests a relationship between Prambanan and astronomy, which
is shown by the fact that it is oriented towards the cardinal points. This choice of orientation
must have been made through consistent observations of the Sun. It also has been proposed
that the construction of Prambanan applied the mandala principle, which is the basic
concept for the construction of Hindu temples in India. This concept provides essential
information regarding astronomy and its historical facts.

For example, the date of establishment of a temple can be inferred from the mandala set up.
From the type of mandala, it can be determined for whom the temple was built. They
suggest that the temple may also have also been used for lunar observations.

3. Dr Subhash Kak in his essay Space and Order in Prambanan presents new ideas regarding the plan
of the 9th-century Prambanan temple complex and the number of its subsidiary shrines (candi
perwara). Sometimes viewed as derived from the Somapura Mahåvihara of Bengal, which
was built by Dharmapala (r. 770-810) of the Pala dynasty (Rowland 1953), Prambanan is a
sarvatobhadra temple with a terraced plan and a unique Mandala layout. The Layout has
always posed a challenge to the onlooker less and the researcher more as to the intricacies of
iuts dimensiona and the existence and placement of the perwara temples. According to him
the 224 candi perwara are the emanations associated with the Goddess in the 3r∂ Yantra system.
The four terraced sets of candi perwara shrines are like the four concentric sets of triangles in the
3r∂ YantraThe Goddess central to the complex, which is consistent with the traditional view of
the Javanese in which it is famous as Candi Loro Jonggrang and not Candi Shiva. It may be
assumed that the King-commissioner constructed the temple with multiple dedications to Rama
as the ideal ruler, Shiva as the Great God, and Durga as the goddess who guides-one to inner and
outer victory. https://www.academia.edu/45095273/Space_and_order_in_Prambanan

4. During the middle of the 9th century CE, the respective planetary bodies corresponding
with six of the eight Lokapalas happened to rise in the same order in which they appear on
the walls of the Shiva temple. This celestial event took place beginning on the evening of
December 17th in 840 CE, a date that also coincided with the Summer Solstice. Jupiter
(Indra), the Moon (Issana), Venus (Kubera), Mercury (Varuna), Mars (Yama), and Saturn

17
(Agni) rose in succession in the early morning hours, followed by the rising Sun itself. In
addition, the sun rose on December 18th in the asterism Crivana, which is assigned to
Vishnu, the chief of all the solar deities.

Prambanan Temple Compounds comprises of two groups of buildings which includes

LoroJonggrang, Sewu complexes, Lumbung, Bubrah and Asu (Gana). The 508 stone
temples of various shapes and sizes are either in a complete and preserved condition or
have been retained as ruins. This site includes all elements necessary to express its
exceptional significance and iswell maintained. There are no threats of development or
neglect; however the area is prone to natural threats such as earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions.

5. Battle of Kurukshetra and the multi circular CHAKRAYVSA formation

The Padmavyūha (Sanskrit: पद्मव्यूह) or Chakravyūha (Sanskrit: चक्रव्यूह) is

a military formation used to surround enemies, depicted in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It
resembles a labyrinth of multiple defensive walls. The Padmavyūha is a multi-tiered
defensive formation that looks like a blooming lotus (पद्म padma) or disc (चक्र chakra)
when viewed from above.[1] The warriors at each interleaving position would be in an
increasingly tough position to fight against. The formation was used in the battle
of Kurukshetra by Dronacharya, who became commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army after
the fall of Bhishma Pitamaha.
The various vyūhas (military formations) were studied by the Kauravas and Pandavas alike.
Most of them can be beaten using a counter-measure targeted specifically against that
formation. In the form of battle described in the Mahabharata, it was important to place
powerful fighters in positions where they could inflict maximum damage to the opposing
force, or defend their own side. As per this military strategy, a specific stationary object or a
moving object or person could be captured, surrounded and fully secured during battle.
The formation begins with two soldiers standing back-to-back, with other such set of soldiers
standing at a distance of three hands, drawing up seven circles and culminating in the end
which is the place where the captured person or object is to be kept. In order to form the
Chakravyuha, the commander has to identify soldiers who will form this formation. The
number of soldiers to be deployed and the size of the Chakravyuha is calculated as per the
resistance estimated. Once drawn, the foremost soldiers come on either side of the opponent
to be captured, engage briefly and then advance. Their place is taken up by the next soldiers
on either side, who again engage the opponent briefly and then advance. In this fashion, a
number of soldiers pass the enemy and proceed in a circular pattern. By the time the rear of
the formation arrives, the oblivious enemy is surrounded on all sides by seven tiers of
soldiers. The last soldiers of the formation give the signal of having completed the
Chakravyuha. On the signal, every soldier who so far has been facing outwards turns inwards
to face the opponent. It is only then that the captured enemy realizes his captivity. The army
can continue to maintain the circular formation while leading the captive away.

18
At one point in the great battle of the Mahabharata, the Kauravas gather their army into a large,
impenetrable circular formation. When Abhimanyu plans to break into the formation, the Pandavas and
their allies promise to follow him, providing assistance and protection. Once Abhimanyu penetrates the
enemy force, however, King Jayadratha and his army prevent the Pandavas from coming to their
kinsman's aid. Abhimanyu, though he fights valiantly and slays many opponents, is eventually killed.
Here he faces a force that includes the Kaurava brothers Duryodhana, Duhshasana, and Vrindaraka, as
well as such allies as Karna and Drona. At the right-hand side of the page the Pandavas face a group of
warriors led by King Jayadratha, who is seated on an elephant. Jayadratha was able to hold the powerful
Pandavas at bay through a favor he received from the Hindu god Shiva. On left the CHAKRAVYVA
formation

Family temple of Shiva

The Shiva temple is the only structure at Prambanan that has entrance ways opening to all
four cardinal directions. The doorway that faces east leads into the shrine’s central cella,
which contains a murti (Statute) of Lord Shiva.
The remaining three doors lead into three ancillary chambers which contain statues of the
Agastya (south), Ganesha (west) and Durga (north).
With regards to the central shrine, however, there is a possibility that these three murtis were
not the original occupants of the auxiliary chambers. Prambanan temple has 3 main divisions
in the main structure namely, the Vishnu Temple, Brahma, and Shiva temples. The three
temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east.
Each main temple has a temple facing the west, namely Nandini for Shiva temples, Angsa to
Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 wedge temple, temple curtain 4, and 4
corner temples. Meanwhile, a second portion of the plot has 224 has a temple.
Entering the temple of Shiva temples located in the middle of the building and the highest
roof structure one comes across the 4 rooms. One main room contains a statue Siwa, while
the other 3 rooms each contain Durga statue (Siwa's wife), Agastya (Shiva temples teachers),
and Ganesha (the son of Siwa). Durga statue that have been used as the statue in

19
the legend of Roro Jonggrang. In the Vishnu Temple, located in the north of Siwa temple,
there is only one room containing a statue of Vishnu. Similarly Brahma is also lodged
singularly. Brahma too in the South is similarly placed. Temple facing enough bait is Garuda
temple that is located near the Vishnu temple. Save this temple stories about her half-human
bird called Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology is well-known, with a
human face.Immediately to the east are three auxiliary shrines, each with a single staircase
and doorway facing to the west. The shrine to the immediate east of the Shiva temple, which
contains a statue of the sacred bull Nandi, is 25 m. in height and measures 15 m. x 15 m. at
the base. The remaining two shrines, which face the Brahma and Vishnu temples, are 22 m.
in height and measure 13 m. x 13 m. at the base.

The statuary that visitors see today in the interiors of these two structures are not the original
occupants. It is suggested that these buildings were intended to house the celestial vahanas
(carriers) of the Deities Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. However, this is by no means certain. It
has also been suggested that these buildings may have initially housed sculptures representing
Lord Shiva, including his shivalinga.

The tripartite structure of the shivalinga represent the trimurti of Brahma (square base),
Vishnu (octagonal mid-section) and Shiva (round tip).Near the central yard’s north and south
gates are two apit temples, the original purpose of which is not known. Each of these
structures has a height of 16 m. and measures 6 m. x 6 m. at the base. A total of eight smaller
kelir (screen) structures are located just inside the courtyard walls. These were probably used
to mark out the four cardinal points as well as the four intermediate directions of NW, NE,
SW, and SE.

20
In addition, the kelir temple that marks the center of the entire complex has actually been
incorporated into the structure of the main Shiva shrine. All nine temples are 4.1 m. in height
and measure 1.55 m. x 1.55 m. at the base.

The Shiva Temple’s Lokapalas – Guardians of the Directions of Space

On the outside-facing walls of the Shiva temple’s central cella there are a total of 24 relief
panels. Eight of these figures collectively represent a group of Deities called the Lokapalas
— the guardians of the eight directions of space. Vedic cosmology associates six of the eight
Lokapalas with six of the planets of ancient astronomy: Kubera (Venus), Varuna (Mercury),
Yama (Mars), Agni (Saturn), Issana (Moon) and Indra (Jupiter). In addition, the Lokapalas
Nirriti and Vayu were assigned stations in the sky that corresponded with certain star signs of
Vedic astronomy, called the nakshatras.

21
 The Temple Complex

The architecture of the Prambanan temple complex follows Vastu Shastra and was built on the
model of Mount Meru, the Cosmic mountain. The whole temple complex is a model of the
Universe according to Hindu cosmology. The urban center and the court of Mataram were
located nearby, in what would later become Yogyakarta. Hundreds of brahmins lived with
their disciples within the outer wall of the temple compound.

As mentiuoned earlier and toi recapitulate, 0riginally there were a total of 240 temples
standing in Prambanan. The temple complex consist of:
• 3 Trimurti temples: three main temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva Mahadeva
• 3 Vahana temples: three temples in front of Trimurti temples dedicated to the vahana of each
gods; Garuda, Nandi and Hamsa
• 2 Apit temples: two temples located between the rows of Trimurti and Vahana temples on
north and south side
• 4 Kelir temples: four small shrines located on 4 cardinal directions right beyond the 4 main
gates of inner zone
• 4 Patok temples: four small shrines located on 4 corners of inner zone
• 224 Pervara temples: hundreds of temples arranged in 4 concentric square rows; numbers of
temples from inner row to outer row are: 44, 52, 60, and 68. Today, only 2 out of the original
224 perwara temples are renovated.

The Tri Mandala principle

The Prambanan temple consists of 3 zones, according to the Indonesian Hindu tri
mandala principle:
• Nista Mandala (outer zone) — a large space marked by a walled perimeter, which originally
measured about 390 m per side, and contained a sacred garden, an ashram for monks and
accommodation for the priests.
• Madya Mandala (middle zone) that contains hundreds of small temples
• Utama Mandala (holiest inner sanctum) that contains 8 main temples and 8 small shrines.
Just like Borobudur, Prambanan is structured in three mandalas, from the less holy to the
holiest realms. Both the compound site plan (horizontally) and the temple structure (vertically)
represents 3 layers of the Universe:
• Bhurloka (in Buddhism: Kāmadhātu), the lowest realm of common mortals; humans,
animals also demons. Where humans are still bound by their lust, desire and unholy way of
life. The outer courtyard and the foot (base) part of each temples is symbolized the realm of
bhurloka.
• Bhuvarloka (in Buddhism: Rupadhatu), the middle realm of holy people, occupied by rishis,
ascetics, and lesser gods. People here begin to see the light of truth. The middle courtyard and
the body of each temple symbolizes the realm of bhuvarloka.
• Svarloka (in Buddhism: Arupadhatu), the highest and holiest realm, reserved for the gods.
Also known as svargaloka. The inner courtyard and the roof of each temple symbolizes the
realm of svarloka. The roof of Prambanan temples are adorned and crowned with ratna
(sanskrit: jewel), the shape of Prambanan ratna took the altered form of vajra that represent
diamonds. In ancient Java temple architecture, ratna is the Hindu counterpart of the Buddhist
stupa, and served as the temple’s pinnacle.

22
Tri Zonal plan of Balinese Village temples TODAY is also similarKahyangan Tiga: Village
Temple

Balinese traditional society as a cultural community group in managing villages as residential

areas with completeness such as: temples, bale banjar, markets, houses, roads, is arranged in
one spatial layout based on the concepts of catus pata and luan teben, for example: markets,
wantilan, village temples, houses of village officials are placed at the corners of the catus
pata. These guideline were established in the first unified seminar on interpretation of
aspects of Hinduism which was held in Amlapura, Indonesia in 1974.

The village temple is the central place for ceremonial activities for the benefit of the village,
such as various ceremoniesemony. The village temple has a floor plan which is divided into
three parts (Nista Mandala, Madya Mandala, and Utama Mandala), but more generally the
first and second plans are combined into one, so that it appears to have two floor plans,
namely: Jaba side (first page) and innards (second page). ).

The two courtyards are surrounded by walls with entrances called Candi Bentar and Kori
Agung. Each part is accompanied by buildings with different functions. The number of
buildings in the first and second courtyards of the Pura Desa varies, but in this paper the main
buildings that must be present in every templeThe minimum buildings on the first zone are as
follows:

Candi Bentar.
The shape is halved which serves as the entrance to the first courtyard of the temple. To enter
the second courtyard (innards of the temple) through the temple brackets or kori agung with
various forms of variations and decorations.

23
Bale Kulkul.
It's in the front corner of the first page. The shape of the building is made high as a tower
with a kulkul or kentongan hanging above it. The function of the kentongan is related to the
implementation of ceremonies such as when nesunang batara and when saving. Another
function is as a sign that a meeting between temple residents will soon begin to discuss
various issues regarding temples such as: preparation for piodalan, plans for temple repairs
and others.

Great Ball.
The building is in the form of a long bale with a rather high base and the roof is supported by
several pillars. This building serves as the place for the pasamuhan (meeting) of the batara
during the ngusaba ceremony and after the mekiyis ceremony (pratima purification ceremony
from the batara).

Bale Gong.
This building serves as a place for gamelan, which is played when the piodalan ceremony
takes place to support the ceremony at the temple.

While the buildings on the second page (innards) of the Village Temple are:

Sanggar Agung.
This building is also known as Sanggar Surya. Placement in the upstream direction of the
temple innards plan. This building is open at the top, which functions as the stana of Hyang
Raditya/Hyang Widi.

Great Gedong.
The building is in the form of a gegedongan which is divided into three parts, namely, the
base of the gedong, the body of the gedong with walls around it on all four sides, so that the
body of the gedong is in the form of a room. This room can be reached through the door on
the front side of the building. The roof of the gedong is made of layers with a roof made of

24
palm fiber. This building functions as the stana of Lord Brahma, in the form of pratima and
does not use the likeness (characteristics) of Lord Brahma as is usually the case in sculptural
art.
In art, the statue of Lord Brahma is usually depicted as having four faces facing all directions,
four hands each holding a prayer beads, cypresses, a jug and round fruit. Sakti from Lord
Brahma named Dewi Saraswati riding a gowith a goose ride.

Queen Ketut Petung

The gedong-shaped building functions as a pepatih or companion of the God who resides in
the temple.

Ratu Ngerurah
The building is made in the form of a monument which functions as a guard and is
responsible for the security of the temple.

VILLAGE PURA PLAN- Description Floor plan

1 Gedong Agung.
2 Sedahan village head.
3 Queen Ketut Petung.
4 Great Halls.
5 Bale Pawedan.
6 Rumors.
7 Kuri Agung.
8 Apit Lawang.
9 Bale Agung
10 Bale Gong.
11 Bale Kulkul.
12 Candi Bentar

The Shiva temple of Prambanan

The inner zone or central compound is the holiest among the three zones. It is the square
elevated platform surrounded by a square stone wall with stone gates on each four cardinal
points. This holiest compound is assembled of 8 shrines or candi. The 3 main shrines, called
are dedicated to the three Gods of the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Mahadeva.

The Shiva temple is the tallest and largest structure in Prambanan Loro Jonggrang
complex. Candi Shiva — the central shrine — rises 47 m high and contains 4 inner chambers
that face the 4 points of the compass. The eastern gate of Shiva temple is flanked by two small
shrines, dedicated to the guardian gods Mahakala and Nandhisvara.

25
The Shiva temple is encircled with galleries adorned with bas-reliefs telling the Ramayana. To
follow the story accurately, visitors must enter from the East side and began to
perform pradakshina.
The Shiva shrine is located at the center and contains five chambers, four small chambers in
every cardinal direction and one bigger main chamber in the central part of the temple. The
east chamber connects to the central chamber that houses the largest temple in Prambanan, a
three-metre high statue of Shiva Mahadeva.

The statue bears the lakçana (attributes or symbol) of Shiva such as the skull and sickle
(crescent) at the crown, and third eye on the forehead. The four hands that holds Shiva’s
symbols: prayer beads, feather duster, and trisula (trident).
The other three smaller chambers contain statues of Shiva’s consort Durga
Mahisasuramardini, Rishi Agastya — one of the Saptarishis who took the yogic sciences
across South Asia — and Ganesha.
The shrine of Durga is also called the temple of Rara Jonggrang, after the Javanese legend
of Rara Jonggrang. Indeed, Javanese folk religion was always superposed with the more
elitist Shiva-Buddha syncretism.

A well containing the peripih was discovered under the center of the Shiva temple. The stone
casket contained sheets of copper, charcoal, ashes, earth, 20 coins, jewels, glass, pieces of gold
and silver leaves, seashells and 12 gold leaves (which were cut in the shapes of a turtle, Nāga
serpent, padma, altar, and an egg).

The sacred peripih is the core of the shrine in all Indonesian temples

The Temple Complex

The architecture of the Prambanan temple complex follows Vastu Shastra and was built on the
model of Mount Meru, the Cosmic mountain. The whole temple complex is a model of the
Universe according to Hindu cosmology.
The urban center and the court of Mataram were located nearby, in what would later
become Yogyakarta. Hundreds of brahmins lived with their disciples within the outer wall of
the temple compound.

26
Originally there were a total of 240 temples standing in Prambanan. The temple complex
consist of:
• 3 Trimurti temples: three main temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva Mahadeva
• 3 Vahana temples: three temples in front of Trimurti temples dedicated to the vahana of
each gods; Garuda, Nandi and Hamsa
• 2 Apit temples: two temples located between the rows of Trimurti and Vahana temples on
north and south side
• 4 Kelir temples: four small shrines located on 4 cardinal directions right beyond the 4 main
gates of inner zone
• 4 Patok temples: four small shrines located on 4 corners of inner zone
• 224 Pervara temples: hundreds of temples arranged in 4 concentric square rows; numbers
of temples from inner row to outer row are: 44, 52, 60, and 68. Today, only 2 out of the
original 224 perwara temples are renovated.

The Tri Mandala principle

The Prambanan temple consists of 3 zones, according to the Indonesian Hindu tri
mandala principle:
• Nista Mandala (outer zone) — a large space marked by a walled perimeter, which
originally measured about 390 m per side, and contained a sacred garden, an ashram for
monks and accommodation for the priests.
• Madya Mandala (middle zone) that contains hundreds of small temples
• Utama Mandala (holiest inner sanctum) that contains 8 main temples and 8 small shrines.
Just like Borobudur, Prambanan is structured in three mandalas, from the less holy to
the holiest realms. Both the compound site plan (horizontally) and the temple structure
(vertically) represents 3 layers of the Universe:
• Bhurloka (in Buddhism: Kāmadhātu), the lowest realm of common mortals; humans,
animals also demons. Where humans are still bound by their lust, desire and unholy way of
life. The outer courtyard and the foot (base) part of each temples is symbolized the realm of
bhurloka.
• Bhuvarloka (in Buddhism: Rupadhatu), the middle realm of holy people, occupied by rishis,
ascetics, and lesser gods. People here begin to see the light of truth. The middle courtyard and
the body of each temple symbolizes the realm of bhuvarloka.
• Svarloka (in Buddhism: Arupadhatu), the highest and holiest realm, reserved for the gods.
Also known as svargaloka. The inner courtyard and the roof of each temple symbolizes the
realm of svarloka. The roof of Prambanan temples are adorned and crowned with ratna
(sanskrit: jewel), the shape of Prambanan ratna took the altered form of vajra that represent
diamonds. In ancient Java temple architecture, ratna is the Hindu counterpart of the Buddhist
stupa, and served as the temple’s pinnacle.
The Shiva temple
The inner zone or central compound is the holiest among the three zones. It is the square
elevated platform surrounded by a square stone wall with stone gates on each four cardinal
points. This holiest compound is assembled of 8 shrines or candi. The 3 main shrines, called
are dedicated to the three Gods of the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Mahadeva.
The Shiva temple is the tallest and largest structure in Prambanan Loro Jonggrang
complex. Candi Shiva — the central shrine — rises 47 m high and contains 4 inner chambers
that face the 4 points of the compass. The eastern gate of Shiva temple is flanked by two small
shrines, dedicated to the guardian gods Mahakala and Nandhisvara.

27
The Shiva temple is encircled with galleries adorned with bas-reliefs telling the
Ramayana. To follow the story accurately, visitors must enter from the East side and began to
perform pradakshina.

The Shiva shrine is located at the center and contains five chambers, four small
chambers in every cardinal direction and one bigger main chamber in the central part of
the temple. The east chamber connects to the central chamber that houses the largest temple
in Prambanan, a three-metre high statue of Shiva Mahadeva.
The statue bears the lakçana (attributes or symbol) of Shiva such as the skull and sickle
(crescent) at the crown, and third eye on the forehead. The four hands that holds Shiva’s
symbols: prayer beads, feather duster, and trisula (trident).
The other three smaller chambers contain statues of Shiva’s consort Durga
Mahisasuramardini, Rishi Agastya — one of the Saptarishis who took the yogic sciences
across South Asia — and Ganesha.

The shrine of Durga is also called the temple of Rara Jonggrang, after the Javanese legend
of Rara Jonggrang. Indeed, Javanese folk religion was always superposed with the more
elitist Shiva-Buddha syncretism. A well containing the peripih was discovered under the
center of the Shiva temple. The stone casket contained sheets of copper, charcoal, ashes, earth,
20 coins, jewels, glass, pieces of gold and silver leaves, seashells and 12 gold leaves (which
were cut in the shapes of a turtle, Nāga serpent, padma, altar, and an egg).

28
The sacred peripih is the core of the shrine in all Indonesian temples
Brahma and Vishnu temples
The two other main shrines are those of Vishnu on the north side of the Shiva shrine, and the
one of Brahma on the south.
Vahana temples
The other three shrines in front of the three main temples are dedicated to the vehicles
(vahana) of the respective gods — the bull Nandi for Shiva, the sacred swan Hamsa for
Brahma, and Vishnu’s kite Garuda. Precisely in front of the Shiva temple is the Nandi temple,
which contains a statue of the Nandi bull.
Apit temples
Between these rows of the main temple, on the north and south side, stand two Candi Apit
temples. Apit in Javanese means “flank”. The two temples flanked the inner courtyard on the
north and south sides. The room inside the Apit temples is now empty. However, it is probable
that the southern Apit temple was dedicated to Sarasvati, while the northern Apit temple was
dedicated to Lakshmi.
Beside these 8 main temples, there are also 8 smaller shrines: 4 Candi Kelir on four cardinal
directions of the entrance, and 4 Candi Patok on four corners of the inner zone.

29
• Kelir in Javanese means “screen”, especially referring to wayang kulit, fabric screen. It refers
to a structure that obstructs the main cardinal entry of the gopura, similar to the aling-aling in
Balinese architecture.
• Patok in Javanese means “peg”. It refers to the shrine location at the four corners of the inner
compound.
The two walled perimeters that surround the remaining two yards to the interior are oriented to
the four cardinal points. The second yard’s walled perimeter surrounds a terraced area that
consists of four rows containing 44, 52, 60, and 68 pervara temples, or 224 structures in total.
Most of them are still in ruins and only some have been reconstructed.The 16 temples located
at the corners of the rows face two directions; the remaining 208 structures open to only one of
the four cardinal directions. These shrines are called Candi Perwara — guardian or
complementary temples. It is believed they were meditation place for priests and worship
place for devotees.

INTERPRETATIONS

• 224 Pervara temples: hundreds of temples arranged in 4 concentric square rows; numbers
of temples from inner row to outer row are: 44, 52, 60, and 68. Today, only 2 out of the
original 224 perwara temples are renovated.

Brahma and Vishnu temples

The two other main shrines are those of Vishnu on the north side of the Shiva shrine, and the
one of Brahma on the south.
Vahana temples
The other three shrines in front of the three main temples are dedicated to the vehicles
(vahana) of the respective gods — the bull Nandi for Shiva, the sacred swan Hamsa for
Brahma, and Vishnu’s kite Garuda. Precisely in front of the Shiva temple is the Nandi temple,
which contains a statue of the Nandi bull.
Apit temples
Between these rows of the main temple, on the north and south side, stand two Candi Apit
temples. Apit in Javanese means “flank”. The two temples flanked the inner courtyard on the
north and south sides. The room inside the Apit temples is now empty. However, it is probable
that the southern Apit temple was dedicated to Sarasvati, while the northern Apit temple was
dedicated to Lakshmi.
Beside these 8 main temples, there are also 8 smaller shrines: 4 Candi Kelir on four cardinal
directions of the entrance, and 4 Candi Patok on four corners of the inner zone.
• Kelir in Javanese means “screen”, especially referring to wayang kulit, fabric screen. It refers
to a structure that obstructs the main cardinal entry of the gopura, similar to the aling-aling in
Balinese architecture.
• Patok in Javanese means “peg”. It refers to the shrine location at the four corners of the inner
compound.
Pervara temples
The two walled perimeters that surround the remaining two yards to the interior are oriented to
the four cardinal points. The second yard’s walled perimeter surrounds a terraced area that
consists of four rows containing 44, 52, 60, and 68 pervara temples, or 224 structures in total.
Most of them are still in ruins and only some have been reconstructed.
The 16 temples located at the corners of the rows face two directions; the remaining 208
structures open to only one of the four cardinal directions. These shrines are called Candi
Perwara — guardian or complementary temples. It is believed they were meditation place for
priests and worship place for devotees.

30
Lokapalas
The lokapalas, the celestial guardians of directions, can be found in Shiva temple.
The Rishis
The rishis were carved on Brahma temple wall, while in Vishnu temple the figures of male
deities devatas are flanked by two apsaras.
Lion and Kalpavriksha
The lower outer wall of these temples was adorned with a row of small niches containing an
image of sinha (a lion) flanked by two panels depicting kalpavriksha trees. These wish-
fulfilling sacred trees are flanked on either side by kinnaras or animals, such as pairs of birds,
deer, monkeys, horses, elephants etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmyBQeLSKDc
Kala
The carvings include the famous Kala representations that are seen everywhere on Javanese
temples. It reminds of the fact that Time swallows everything.

The Ramayana and the Bhagavata Purana

The temple is adorned with bas-reliefs telling the story of the Ramayana and
the Bhagavata Purana. The Ramayana starts on the Shiva temple balustrade and continues
on the Brahma temple.
On the balustrades in the Vishnu temple there is series of bas-relief panels depicting the stories
of lord Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana. The bas-relief of the Ramayana illustrate how
Sita, the wife of Rama, is abducted by Ravana. The monkey king Hanuman brings his army to
help Rama and rescue Sita.
The story starts from the east entrance where visitors turn left and move around the temple
gallery in a clockwise direction. This conforms with the pradaksina performed by pilgrims
who move in a clockwise direction while keeping the sanctuary to their right.
This story is also shown by the Ramayana Ballet, regularly performed every full moon night at
the Trimurti open-air theatre.

Other temples in the area of proximity

• Lumbung — Buddhist-style, consisting of one main temple surrounded by 16 smaller ones.

• Candi Bubrah — Buddhist temple
• Sewu — Buddhist temple complex, older than Roro Jonggrang. A main sanctuary
surrounded by many smaller temples. Well preserved guardian statues, replicas of which stand
in the central courtyard at the Jogja Kraton.
• Candi Morangan — Hindu temple complex buried several meters under volcanic ashes,
located northwest from Prambanan.

31
• Candi Plaosan — Buddhist temple built by a Hindu king for his Buddhist queen. Two main
temples with reliefs of Boddhisatva and Tara. Also rows of slender stupas.
• Ratu Boko — Complex of fortified gates, bathing pools, and elevated walled stone
enclosure, all located on top of the hill.
• Sajiwan — Buddhist temple decorated with reliefs concerning education. The base and
staircase are decorated with animal fables.
• Banyunibo — A Buddhist temple with unique design of roof.
• Barong — A Hindu temple complex with large stepped stone courtyard. Located on the
slope of the hill.
• Ijo — A cluster of Hindu temple located near the top of Ijo hill. The main temple houses a
large lingam and yoni.
• Arca Bugisan — Seven Buddha and bodhisattva statues, some collapsed, representing
different poses and expressions.
• Kalasan — 8th-century Buddhist temple built in commemoration of the marriage of a king
and his princess bride, ornamented with finely carved reliefs.
• Sari — Once a sanctuary for Buddhist priests. 8th century. Nine stupas at the top with two
rooms beneath, each believed to be places for priests to meditate.
• Sambisari. Hindu temple discovered in 1966, once buried 6 m under volcanic ash. The main
temple houses a linga and yoni, and the wall surround it displayed the images of Agastya,
Durga, and Ganesha.
• Gebang — A small Hindu temple discovered in 1937 located near the Yogyakarta northern
ring-road. The temple displays the statue of Ganesha and interesting carving of faces on the
roof section.
• Candi Gana — Rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones. Frequent representations of
children or dwarfs with raised hands. Located in the middle of a housing complex. Under
restoration since 1997.
• Candi Kedulan — Discovered in 1994. Square base of main temple visible. Secondary
temples not yet fully excavated.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The Perwara Temples

Etymology of the word Perwara. “perwira” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta:
Language Development and Fostering Agency — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research,
and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016 is from Malay perwira,
from Malay perwira (“hero; brave”), from Sanskrit प्रवीर (pravīra). Doublet of prawira.
pêrwira (first-person possessive perwiraku, second-person possessive perwiramu, third-
person possessive perwiranya)
1. (military, law enforcement) officer.
Synonym: opsir
2. (obsolete) hero, brave.
Synonym: pahlawan
perwira
1. (obsolete) heroic, brave.
Synonyms: gagah, berani
Perwara means (archaic) female escort of the king. (archaic) queen.

32
Candi Plaosan, also known as the Plaosan Complex, is one of the Buddhist
temples located in Bugisan village, Prambanan district covering an area of 2,000 square
metres (22,000 square feet) with an elevation of 148 metres (486 feet) above sea level.
The Dengok River is located nearby, about 200 metres (220 yards) away

One of the twin main temple of Plaosan Lor compound/Avalokiteśvara on Plaosan main temple wall.//
Dvarapala, the giant guardian in front of Plaosan Temple.

Plaosan temple was built in the mid 9th century by the wife of Rakai Pinkatan. But whether
it was built by Rakai himself and attributed to his wife Sri Kahulunnan
or Pramodhawardhani, the daughter of Samaratungga, descendant of Sailendra Dynasty,
could be possible. The complex currently comprises two Buddhist temples, Plaosan
Lor and Plaosan Kidul and made up of 174 small buildings, 116 are stupas and 58 are
shrines. Many of the buildings have inscriptions. Two of these inscriptions denote the temple
as a gift of sanctuary by Rakai Pikatan. The dates of the inscriptions are between 825-850
AD. Although similar to the Prambanan 856 AD date, the complexes are not related. A new
building technique distinguishes Prambanan from Plaosan temples.
The main temples at Plaosan are made up of an upper and lower level, separated in three
rooms. In the lower level, multiple statues resided. Today, only two statues of Bodhisattva
seated on each sides of each rooms, flanked an empty pedestal. However, as the position of
the false windows dictate, there was only one statue rested on the bottom basal level on
central pedestal. This statue today is missing, it was probably some bronze statues
depicting Buddha with two stone Bodhisattva statues flanked it. Historians suggests that a
main temple once contains nine statues, six stone Bodhisattvas, and three bronze Buddhas
(now missing). This means there was 18 statues resided in the twin main temples.
On the upper walls in each rooms, there are the traces of stones indentions that once
supported wooden beams and wooden floors, creating upper rooms. There is also traces of
stones as the base of wooden stairs.Rows of exquisite carvings of Bodhisattvas divinities are
found adorning the outer walls, with the majority of them being male. Smaller and less
occurring carvings by the windows represent female figures.One exceptional example is
carved on inner wall of the room depicting a representation of a Khmer prince which is
identified by his crown.
Ijo temple is Hindu candi (temple) located 4 kilometers from Ratu Boko measuring 0.8
hectare compound at present. The main temple is on the higher ground on the hill with
several terraces. It was estimated that more than 10 Perwara or lesser temples ruins are still
buried in this terraces.

33
Sambirejo, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Perwara temples

2 of three perwara temples.

The main temple compound located on the uppermost terrace, consists of a large main temple
facing west and three perwara temples on front of it facing east. These three perwara temples
was meant to honor Trimurti, having cella or room and there are windows perforated in the
rhombus shape. The roof is arranged in three stages adorned with rows of ratnas.

The main temple, showing the three niches. One of the

perwara temples can be seen behind it.
The main temple has square ground plan with a large linga and yoni adorned
with naga serpent. The union of phallic linga and yoni symbolize the cosmic sacred union
between Shiva and Parvati as his shakti. There are three niches on each sides of inner wall in
34
the room, each niches flanked with a pair of devata, Hindu lesser gods and goddesses flying
toward the niches.The roof of main temple is arranged in three ascending terraces decreased
in size to the top forming stepped pyramid.
In the case of Prambanan these 4 shrines are also the "Candi Perwara", guardian or
complementary temples, the additional buildings of the main temple. Some believed it was
offered to the king as a sign of submission. The Perwara are arranged in four rows around the
central temples.

Ruins of the Perwara temples at Sompura Paharpur

Ijo temple Candi Ijo; is a Hindu candi (temple) located 4 kilometers from Ratu Boko or
around 18 kilometers east from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The temple was built between 10th to
11th century CE during the Mataram Kingdom period.The temple compound is located in
Groyokan hamlet, Sambirejo village, Kecamatan Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta.
The temple's name derived from its location, the Gumuk Ijo hill. The temple compound stood
on western slope of the hill, in a quiet region east of Yogyakarta, around 4 kilometers
southeast from Ratu Boko archaeological compound. The temple elevation is 410 meters
above the sea level. The western hill of Gumuk Ijo overlooks rice paddies, villages
and Adisucipto International Airport.
The temple compound measures 0.8 hectares, however the original temple compound is
estimated to be far larger. On the hill foot and slopes on western sides there are some
archaeological artifacts and temple ruins which suggest the larger compound may exists from
the foot ascending to the main temple.

35
 II

Perwaras of Prambanan
Dr Uday Dokras

The Prambanan temple compound is Bokoharjo, Prambanan, Sleman

located approximately 17 kilometres (11 mi) northeast Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta
of the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between & Prambanan, Klaten Regency, Central
Central Java and Yogyakarta Location Java, Indonesia

Coordinates 7°45′8″S 110°29′30″E

Originally built in 850 CE during the

Built
reign of the Hindu Sanjaya dynasty
Prambanan, the Most Beautiful and Graceful Hindu Temple in Indonesia. Located not far
from the Buddhist Borobudur temple, the proximity of the two temples tells us that on Java,
Buddhism and Hinduism lived peacefully next to one another. Prambanan is a magnificent
spectacle and an icon of Indonesia's cultural heritage. It is locally known in Javanese as Rara
Jonggrang, is a grand Hindu temple complex dating from the 9th century, it is notable for its
shrines and statues of Hindu patheon and Ramayana bas relief. The Borobudur Temple
Compounds on the other hand, is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and
was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. The
monument is located in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, at the centre of
the island of Java, Indonesia.

36
While Borobudur is a Buddhist temple, Prambanan is a Hindu temple. Furthermore, the
temple of Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the World and the largest temple in
Indonesia, while the temple of Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.They are
both 50 Kmn from each other a drive of 1 hr 31 min via Jl. Magelang/Jl. Magelang -
Yogyakarta/Jl. Semarang – Yogyakarta

Etymology of the word Perwara. “perwira” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta:
Language Development and Fostering Agency — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research,
and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016 is from Malay perwira,
from Malay perwira (“hero; brave”), from Sanskrit प्रवीर (pravīra). Doublet of prawira.
pêrwira (first-person possessive perwiraku, second-person possessive perwiramu, third-
person possessive perwiranya)
3. (military, law enforcement) officer.
Synonym: opsir
4. (obsolete) hero, brave.
Synonym: pahlawan
perwira

37
 2. (obsolete) heroic, brave.
Synonyms: gagah, berani
Perwara means (archaic) female escort of the king. (archaic) queen.

The Prambanan main structure is surrounded by small temples called the temple Perwara.
Perwara as mentioned earlier means guardian or peripheral and perwara is an Indonesian
word for an escort temple.It also means an escort either by females or by soldiers

Ruins of Perwaras surrounding Prambanan Shivagriha/ Prambanan Temple building in Sleman,

Yogyakarta, photographed from the air, Friday (27/6/2014). Prambanan Temple was built in the 10th century
during the reign of two kings, Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung.

38
Worker measuring one of the Perwara Temple

Yogyakarta Cultural Heritage Conservation Center (BPCB) officers measure boulders at the
Prambanan Temple Tourist Park complex. The BPCB Yogyakarta Prambanan Temple Unit
team carried out trials constructing Perwara Temple number 14 on the south side of the
Prambanan Temple complex in order to restore its original form.
Baca selengkapnya di artikel "Trial construction of Perwara Temple in
Prambanan", https://tirto.id/bYaZ

39
The Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Yogyakara will temporarily postpone the restoration
of Perwara Temple in the Prambanan Temple Complex during the national Eid holiday-Head
of Protection, Develpment and Utilization Section the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Yogyakara, Wahyu Astuti, said in Yogyakarta on Sunday.“We try to complete the restoration
of Perwara Temple by the middle of November. We aim to restore one temple within a
year.”
Perwara Temple surrounds the main temple in the complex of Prambanan Temple, during the
Dutch colonization, two temples have been restored, In 2018 they restored another temple.

40
41
Restoration of PERWARAS in Prambanan from 2022

42
Candi Plaosan, also known as the Plaosan Complex, is one of the Buddhist
temples located in Bugisan village, Prambanan district covering an area of 2,000 square
metres (22,000 square feet) with an elevation of 148 metres (486 feet) above sea level.
The Dengok River is located nearby, about 200 metres (220 yards) away

43
One of the twin main temple of Plaosan Lor compound/Avalokiteśvara on Plaosan main temple wall.//
Dvarapala, the giant guardian in front of Plaosan Temple.

Plaosan temple was built in the mid 9th century by the wife of Rakai Pinkatan. But whether
it was built by Rakai himself and attributed to his wife Sri Kahulunnan
or Pramodhawardhani, the daughter of Samaratungga, descendant of Sailendra Dynasty,
could be possible. The complex currently comprises two Buddhist temples, Plaosan
Lor and Plaosan Kidul and made up of 174 small buildings, 116 are stupas and 58 are
shrines. Many of the buildings have inscriptions. Two of these inscriptions denote the temple
as a gift of sanctuary by Rakai Pikatan. The dates of the inscriptions are between 825-850AD.
Although similar to the Prambanan 856 AD date, the complexes are not related. A new
building technique distinguishes Prambanan from Plaosan temples.
Plaosan Temple consists of two temple complexes, namely Plaosan Lor Temple and Plaosan
Kidul Temple. The entire Plaosan temple complex has 116 perwara stupas and 50 perwara
temples. Plaosan Temple itself can be associated with the concept of geometry.
The main temples at Plaosan are made up of an upper and lower level, separated in three
rooms. In the lower level, multiple statues resided. Today, only two statues of Bodhisattva
seated on each sides of each rooms, flanked an empty pedestal. However, as the position of
the false windows dictate, there was only one statue rested on the bottom basal level on
central pedestal. This statue today is missing, it was probably some bronze statues
depicting Buddha with two stone Bodhisattva statues flanked it. Historians suggests that a
main temple once contains nine statues, six stone Bodhisattvas, and three bronze Buddhas
(now missing). This means there was 18 statues resided in the twin main temples.
On the upper walls in each rooms, there are the traces of stones indentions that once
supported wooden beams and wooden floors, creating upper rooms. There is also traces of
stones as the base of wooden stairs.Rows of exquisite carvings of Bodhisattvas divinities are
found adorning the outer walls, with the majority of them being male. Smaller and less
occurring carvings by the windows represent female figures.One exceptional example is
carved on inner wall of the room depicting a representation of a Khmer prince which is
identified by his crown.

44
 Perwaras of Ploasan

Ijo temple is Hindu candi (temple) located 4 kilometers from Ratu Boko measuring 0.8
hectare compound at present. The main temple is on the higher ground on the hill with
several terraces. It was estimated that more than 10 Perwara or lesser temples ruins are still
buried in this terraces.

Sambirejo, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Perwara temples of Ijo

45
2 of three perwara temples.
The main temple compound located on the uppermost terrace, consists of a large main temple
facing west and three perwara temples on front of it facing east. These three perwara temples
was meant to honor Trimurti, having cella or room and there are windows perforated in the
rhombus shape. The roof is arranged in three stages adorned with rows of ratnas.

The main temple, showing the three niches. One of the perwara
temples can be seen behind it.
The main temple has square ground plan with a large linga and yoni adorned
with naga serpent. The union of phallic linga and yoni symbolize the cosmic sacred union
between Shiva and Parvati as his shakti. There are three niches on each sides of inner wall in
the room, each niches flanked with a pair of devata, Hindu lesser gods and goddesses flying
toward the niches.The roof of main temple is arranged in three ascending terraces decreased
in size to the top forming stepped pyramid.
In the case of Prambanan these 224 shrines are also the "Candi Perwara", guardian or
complementary temples, the additional buildings of the main temple. Some believed it was
offered to the king as a sign of submission. The Perwara are arranged in four rows around the
central temples.
Complex of Complexes

Prambanan temple compounds has 5 major temples complexes and more than five-hundred
temples. The major temple complex is Prambanan temple complex with 240 Hindu temples.
Another major temple complex is Candi Sewu, the second largest Buddhist temple complex
in Indonesia after Borobudur with a total of 240 temples though the striking feature is the
massive dwara balas or protectors of the temple gates. The other temples are Bubrah,
Lumbung and Asu. All these temples except Asu are at different stages of restoration by the
UNESCO working with the Indonesian Government. Do note that Asu is still buried under
the soil due to the impact of the Mount Merapi volcano and yet to be excavated.Prambanan
1
temple complex is the most popular one among these various temples.
Inside the Temple Complex

The temple complex has 240 temples. They are organized as follows

46
1. The 3 main temples for the 3 murtis of the Hindu religion - Siva, Vishnu and Brahma with
the Siva temple in the center.
2. Vahana or vehicle temples of the respective murtis are opposite to each one of
the murtis for a total of 3 temples. The 3 Vahana temples are Garuda, Nandi and Angsa (or
swan).
3. There are two Apit temples or flank temples on either side of the 6 temples in the center
row between the rows of Vahana and Murthy temples.
4. There are 4 Kelir temples on four cardinal directions outside the inner courtyard.
5. There are 4 Pathok temples on 4 corners of the inner courtyard.
6. Then outside all these temples are the Perwara (“waiting woman”) temples organized in 4
concentric squares with different number of temples from the inner square to outer square as
follows - 44, 52, 60, 68. According to the brilliant article by Dr Subhash Kak, the concentric
circular placement of the Prambanan temples is after a Tantric diagram followed at that time
and his technical details and knowledge is fascinating

Prambanan (LEFT) and SEWU ( RIGHT) Aerial views showing the compounds and temple arrangements.

The striking feature of the Prambanan is the architecture, which is a typical representation of
the South Indian Pallava-Chola architecture. It is typical of that architecture to have very tall
Vimanas and Gopurams (towers), large courtyards and aesthetically carved bass reliefs. Also
the Prambanan temples follow the Mandala concept of the Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian
science of architecture and construction. The inner space with the Murti temples, the Perwara
temples and the space outside Perwara temples make up the three mandala concept of the
Vastu Shastra. Today only the Murthy, Vahana, Apit and Kelir temples has been restored
while the Pathok and Perwara are not restored yet though work is in progress.
The temples of Prambanan itself are organized as per the Logam concept. The foot of each
temple represents the Boologam or the realm of the mortals. The middle realm or the body of
the temple represents Bhuvarlogam or realm for the holy people. The upper realm or the
holiest part of the temple or the topmost layer is the realm of gods called Swarkalogam. The
upper realm is completed by a Vajra (it can mean both thunderbolt or diamond) on the roof.

1. The total varies from 249 to 239 ( calculated by me). Be as it may, it is a large number
That apart, which I do not want to focus upon and also lack the knowledge to do so, Rakai’s
contribution is bringing a synthesis of Buddhism and |Hinduism in the same compounds
while keeping things seperate

47
 III

More about the PERWARA Temples

Dr Uday Dokras
Candi Plaosan, also known as the Plaosan Complex, is one of the Buddhist
temples located in Bugisan village, Prambanan district covering an area of 2,000 square
metres (22,000 square feet) with an elevation of 148 metres (486 feet) above sea level.
The Dengok River is located nearby, about 200 metres (220 yards) away

One of the twin main temple of Plaosan Lor compound/Avalokiteśvara on Plaosan main temple wall.//
Dvarapala, the giant guardian in front of Plaosan Temple.

Plaosan temple was built in the mid 9th century by the wife of Rakai Pinkatan. But whether
it was built by Rakai himself and attributed to his wife Sri Kahulunnan
or Pramodhawardhani, the daughter of Samaratungga, descendant of Sailendra Dynasty,
could be possible. The complex currently comprises two Buddhist temples, Plaosan
Lor and Plaosan Kidul and made up of 174 small buildings, 116 are stupas and 58 are
shrines. Many of the buildings have inscriptions. Two of these inscriptions denote the temple
as a gift of sanctuary by Rakai Pikatan. The dates of the inscriptions are between 825-850
AD. Although similar to the Prambanan 856 AD date, the complexes are not related. A new
building technique distinguishes Prambanan from Plaosan temples.This temples at Plaosan
are made up of an upper and lower level, separated in three rooms. In the lower level,
multiple statues resided. Today, only two statues of Bodhisattva seated on each sides of each
rooms, flanked an empty pedestal. However, as the position of the false windows dictate,
there was only one statue rested on the bottom basal level on central pedestal. This statue
today is missing, it was probably some bronze statues depicting Buddha with two stone
Bodhisattva statues flanked it. Historians suggests that a main temple once contains nine
statues, six stone Bodhisattvas, and three bronze Buddhas (now missing). This means there
was 18 statues resided in the twin main temples.
On the upper walls in each rooms, there are the traces of stones indentions that once
supported wooden beams and wooden floors, creating upper rooms. There is also traces of
stones as the base of wooden stairs.Rows of exquisite carvings of Bodhisattvas divinities are
found adorning the outer walls, with the majority of them being male. Smaller and less

48
occurring carvings by the windows represent female figures.One exceptional example is
carved on inner wall of the room depicting a representation of a Khmer prince which is
identified by his crown.
Ijo temple is Hindu candi (temple) located 4 kilometers from Ratu Boko measuring 0.8
hectare compound at present. The main temple is on the higher ground on the hill with
several terraces. It was estimated that more than 10 Perwara or lesser temples ruins are still
buried in this terraces.

Sambirejo, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Perwara temples

2 of three perwara temples.

The main temple compound located on the uppermost terrace, consists of a large main temple
facing west and three perwara temples on front of it facing east. These three perwara temples
was meant to honor Trimurti, having cella or room and there are windows perforated in the
rhombus shape. The roof is arranged in three stages adorned with rows of ratnas.

49
 The main temple, showing the three niches. One of the
perwara temples can be seen behind it.
The main temple has square ground plan with a large linga and yoni adorned
with naga serpent. The union of phallic linga and yoni symbolize the cosmic sacred union
between Shiva and Parvati as his shakti. There are three niches on each sides of inner wall in
the room, each niches flanked with a pair of devata, Hindu lesser gods and goddesses flying
toward the niches.The roof of main temple is arranged in three ascending terraces decreased
in size to the top forming stepped pyramid.
In the case of Prambanan these 4 shrines are also the "Candi Perwara", guardian or
complementary temples, the additional buildings of the main temple. Some believed it was
offered to the king as a sign of submission. The Perwara are arranged in four rows around the
central temples.

Ruins of the Perwara temples at Sompura Paharpur

50
5 WORLD RECORDS of DR Uday Dokras as World #1

Highest number of Literary ventures in Hindu Temple Architecture and Vastu ///Highest number of Literary ventures
in the world 2000 books and research Papers, Seen here with Ms. Mansse Bhandari, COO FUN and FOOD Village
Nagpur, Delhi and Uzbekisthan

#1
ENDORSEMENTS / certifications AND
endorsements from WORLD AGENCIES as

51
 highest writings in the world in following
categories
AGENCY TITLE
Largest Number of Religious Research papers written
by an individual-world-record
https://www.worldwideworldrecords.com/post/largest-number-of-
religious-research-papers-written-by-an-individual-world-record-by-
uday-dokras

MOST ARTICLES ON DHAMMA

https://www.uniqueworldrecords.com/records/posts/most-articles-
on-dhamma

Maximum number of books written on Hindu Temples by an Individual

https://www.worldwideworldrecords.com/post/maximum-number-of-
books-written-on-hindu-temples-by-an-individual-world-record-by-dr-uday-
dokras#:~:text=The%20World%20Record%20For%20Maximum,The
%20Worldwide%20Book%20Of%20Records.

Highest number of articles and books written on Hindu

Buddhist Temples of Indonesia( Including
Borobudur and Prambanan)

Highest number of Research Papers/ Books (Literary endeavours)

published by an Individual- UNIQUE Book of world records

Maximum sociocultural research papers uploaded by an

individual on a single website INDIA BOOK of RECORDS
recordsmanagement@indiabookofrecords.in

Bahujan Hitai Sangh award for writing highest number of

books and Research on BOROBUDUR

https://www.academia.edu/110112500/
Bahujan_Hitai_Sangh_Fetes_dr_Uday_for_highest_number_of_Books_and
_Research_papers_written_on_BOROBUDUR

The Jain Foundation presented the Jaina Achiever Trophy to Dr

Uday Dokras for his prolific writings on historiography of Jainism
and Jain religious structures and contributing erudite articles to
numerous Jain Journals such as Nagabharana: Recent Trends in
Jainism Studies and SWASTIKA: Epigraphy, Numismatics, Religion
and Philosophy
https://www.academia.edu/110112203/
Jain Foundation Jaina_award_to_Dr_Uday_Dokras

52
 Economic Times (20 July 2022) mentions acknowledgment
of Dr. Uday’s contribution to design of New Parliament House
of India vis-a-vis Dwarpals or door guardians.
https://www.academia.edu/109139672/
Design_components_of_the_new_Parliament_complex_of_INDIA_i
nspired_by_the_author_Dr_Uday_Dokras_work

1. https://www.worldwideworldrecords.com/post/largest-number-
of-religious-research-papers-written-by-an-individual-world-
record-by-uday-dokras

2. Maximum n0. of books written on Hindu Temples by an Individual-

https://www.worldwideworldrecords.com/post/maximum-number-of-
books-written-on-hindu-temples-by-an-individual-world-record-by-
dr-uday-dokras#:~:text=The%20World%20Record%20For
%20Maximum,The%20Worldwide%20Book%20Of%20Records.

3. https://www.uniqueworldrecords.com/records/posts/most-
articles-on-dhamma

4. Highest number of articles and books written on Hindu

Buddhist Temples of Indonesia( Including
Borobudur and Prambanan

5. Highest number of Research Papers/ Books (Literary

endeavours) published by an Individual………….FREE
UNIQUEBook of world records

6. Maximum sociocultural research papers uploaded by an

individual on a single website INDIA BOOK of RECORDS
recordsmanagement@indiabookofrecords.in

7. https://www.academia.edu/109139672/
Design_components_of_the_new_Parliament_complex_of_INDIA
_inspired_by_the_author_Dr_Uday_Dokras_work

8. https://www.academia.edu/110112203/
Jaina_award_to_Dr_Uday_Dokras

53
54
DIRECTOR (Technical)- https://smkfoundation.com/our-
team/

55
 The HITAVADA
Nagpur City-Line 2023-11-22| page 3
ehitavada.com

Jain Foundation Trophy for Dr Uday Dokras

The Jain Foundation presented the Jaina Achiever Trophy to Dr Uday Dokras
originally from Dhantoli Nagpur currently living in Gurugram. The trophy was
handed over to him by Mr. Nilesh Shah, Managing Partner of BOMBAY
EMPORIUM, Nagpur and his brother Vasant Shah on his visit to Nagpur. Dr
Uday Dokras who has frequently graced the news headlines for his prolific
writings on historiography and religious structures has contributed erudite
articles to numerous Jain Journals such as Nagabharana: Recent Trends in
Jainism Studies and SWASTIKA: Epigraphy, Numismatics, Religion and
Philosophy

When the work on the new Parliament complex was progressing, the
government had invited bids for ‘dvarpalas’ or guardian statues to be installed
at the entrance of Parliament. The culture ministry’s high-power committee that
finalized the building considered the Dwarpal concept of Jain Temples on which
Dr Uday Dokras is a knowledgeable person. According to the Economic Times “
Historiographer and Indologist Dr. Uday Dokras has pointed out in his research
that dvarapalas are an important part of temple architecture, and are specific to
the temple deity. Many of them find mention in various scriptures as revered
protectors of the sanctum sanctorum and are a part of the assessment for
dwarpals in the new Parliament house pictured herein.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR DR UDAY DOKRAS

About the Author

The author has worked for 30 years in the human resources arena in
India and abroad. He was Group Vice -President of MZI Group in New
Delhi and has anchored Human Relations in Go Air and Hotel
Holiday Inn;was General Manager-Health Human Resources at the
Lata Mangeshkar Hospital amd Medical college. Is currently
Consultant to Gorewada International Zoo,Nagpur and visiting
Faculty at the Central Institute of Business Management and
Research, Nagpur.

In Sweden he anchored HR in Stadbolaget RENIA, SSSB and advisor

to a multimillionaire. He has studied in Nagpur, India where he
obtained degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts
(Managerial Economics) and Bachelor of Laws. He has done his
Graduate Studies in labour laws from Canada at the Queen's
University, Kingston; a MBA from USA, and Doctorate from
Stockholm University, Sweden. Apart from that he has done a
Management Training Program in Singapore.

A scholar of the Swedish Institute, he has been an Edvard Cassel

Fund and Wineroth Fund Awardee.A scholar for the Swedish Institute
for 5 years. In 1984 he was involved with the Comparative Labour
Law Project of the University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.A. He
was also visiting lecturer there. In 1985 he was invited by the
President of Seychelles to do a study of the efficacy of the labour
laws of Seychelles.

62
 Author of a book on a Swedish human resource law, his brief life
sketch is part of the English study text book of 7 th Class Students
in Sweden -“Studying English. SPOTLIGHT 7”- and 8th Class
students in Iceland - “SPOTLIGHT 8- Lausnir.”

RESEARCH PAPERS-320 + in Researchgate and

academia.edu & scribd-Followers(readers) 2 million
consolidated as on 26 th June,2023.

Authors-DR Uday DOKRAS

Dr. Uday Dokras
B.Sc., B.A. (Managerial Economics), LL.B., Nagpur University, India
Certificat'e en Droit, Queen’s University. Ontario, Canada,
Ph.D. Stockholm University, Sweden,
Vastu,Temple Construction and Management and Efficacy Consultant,
India/Bangkor------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reviews of the Book PROJECT HUMAN RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT

The authors highlight the benefits of paying attention to

human resources and offer success and failure factors
guideline for a variety of potential practitioners and
students in global project marketplace.

Ms.Ylva Arnold, Head HR- Norstedts Publishers, Stockholm

SWEDEN

63
From the Newspaper Times of India March 24, 2018

64
65
Iceland & Sweden- both countries use the English Text
SPOTLIGHT-one of the lessons in which is about Dr Uday
Dokras

Prof. S.Deshpande,President of the Indian Institute of

Architects, New Delhi INDIA releasing the book of Dr Dokras
HINDU TEMPLES on the web in CARONA times( May 2020)

66
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Some of the 2300 Research Papers and 522 BOOKS written by
DR UDAY DOKRAS
Published by
The Indo Nodic Author’s Collective Sweden and Finland

Dr. Uday Dokras

68
 Tamil People as Traders and Voyagers

The Cambodian Trilogy

I.HINDU CAMBODIA

II.HYDROLOGY of ANGKOR
ANGKOR is known as a Hydraulic city- full or canals and river and
waterways. It is this water system they say that brought the downfall of
this intrinsic kingdom. But is that TRUE?

III.ENTER…… THE KINGDOM THAT VANISHED- Angkor

69
Building Materials of the Hindu Temple
Indo Nordic Author's collective, 2021
In depth study of how Building Materials of the Hindu Temple was used in
India,Indonesia and Cambodia and India

The Art & Architecture of THE GOLDEN TEMPLE COMPLEX, AMRITSAR

Mathematics in Temple Designs

Jain ART
Book on Jain Art and Iconography

70
 Jain Temples- Part I -Complete Compendium-Book I
A to Z of the architecture, Design,Cosmology,Philosophy of Jain temples in

Jain Temples II
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF JAIN TEMPLES AND THE ACTUAL
PHOTOGRAPHS(ORIGINAL) OF 3JAIN TEMPLES of Nagpur

DWARKA- CELESTIAL MYSTERIES of the Lost CITY of KRISHNA

TIRUPATI TEMPLE Book part I

71
TIRUPATI TemplePart II

Vahanas- the vehicles of Hindu Gods

Vahanas- the vehicles of Hindu Gods. Animals in Hinduism. demi Gods

SATYANARAYAN PUJA-The Complete Compendium

Satyanarayan Puja or 9 Graha Puja( a puja of 9 planets) has been
performed by most Hindus not only now but for 1,000’s of years.

MAHALAXMI Puja
Hindu Goddess MAHALAXMI Puja

72
ARCHITECTURE OF PALESTINE

Palestine my Love
Palestine my Love is about the culture arts and crafts of palestine so we
recognize it as a entity that is fighting for recognition of not only its
legitimacy but also its cultural heritage
QUINTET (5) BOOKS ON MANDALA

Unravelling the MAZE of the MANDALA BOOK I

First part of a two book treatise on MANDALAS. This introductory phase
introduces mandalas

Maze of MANDALA BOOK II

Advanced Mandala routine for those who want to know more about
MANDALAS

73
Mandala BOOK III on Nakshatra

BOOK IV MANDALA & ARCHITECTURE

The Use of Mandalas in Building Temples and Modern Buildings

Book V on Mandala of the Oriental Kingdoms

Islamic Architectureal Arts of of Imam Ali's 2 Shrines

74
Hindu Gods in Scandinavia
Did the Hindu Gods originate or live in Scandinavia once? Find out

Book on Divinity and Architecture

What is divinity? How has man tried to harness architecture to create
magic in space

Virat Hridaya Padma-sthalam CHIDAMBARAM Temple -Celestial Mysteries

This book is about a mysterious and revered tempe built by the Chola
Kings of South India 2000 years ago

T2- Temple Tech. A Book

How are Hindu temples built and the technology that follows this craft.
From A to Z Complete Guide.

75
Rendezvous with Sri RAM Portfolio of Temple Art by Srishti Dokras,
Architect Special section on Hindu Foods by Karan Dokras, Product Guru

Best Foot Forward

The story of Footwear through the ages up to COVID times

Hindu Temple Panorama-Celestial Mysteries

A to Z of Temples. A total Panoramic View of design and architecture of
Hindu temples in 350 page...

DUOLOGY (2) on JAINISM

Ativir
ATIVIR means Very Brave and is the name given to Lord Mahavir the 24 th
Saint(TIRTHANKAR) Contains rare translations of the Dialogue of the
Mahavir with his disciples called GHANDHARVAVAD

76
 Vardhaman-वर्धमान
IThis book is about Jainism- written by a non-
THE TRILOGY(3) on DEVRAJA The God kIngs of Khemer

Book I DEVRAJ- The God Kings of Indo China-Cambodia.

This is the first Book of a Trilogy that traces the growth of Hinduism in
South East Asia.
BOOK I I DEVRAJA- The Great Civilizations of South East Asia -HINDU Era
How Hinduism reached Cambodia and how the Hindu Kings called Devraj
Built these magnificent structures

Devraja BOOK II I Devraja and Raj Dharma God King and Kingly Religion
The HINDU Era of Great Civilizations of Khemer
Book 2 of a Trilogy that traces the advent of Hinduism on South East Asian
and Indo-Chinese

77
Vayu- Man's taming of the winds
Man's conquest of nature spans a million years. How was wind tamed by
him. Here is the full story... more

VIMANA Ancient Conquests of Wind

Ancient flying machines of Gods and Men(?) Were they true. Did they
really exist. 7000 years ago?

LIGHT HOUSES In words and pictures

BOOK Architecture of the Lighthouse of Alexandria-BOOK

Indo Swedish Author's Collective, 2020
The lighthouse was built on an island off the coast of Alexandria called
Pharos. Its name, legend

78
Cosmology of lotus
Indo Nordic Author's Collective, 2020
The Lotus is the king of the flower world but few know it as a part of
creation. Find out the Cosmology.

Celestial Mysteries of the Borobudur Temple

Borobudur remains a mystery even today. The largest Buddhist Stupa in
the world has many unanswered...
Win with this new DIET

Hindu tempel of India , Cambodia and Indonesia

Hindu Temples dot India, Cambodia and Indonesia

DISRUPTION-Book

79
Book Architecture Creativity
Creativity and Architecture are linked and go hand in hand. This Book is a
culmination of 16 publications that have been put together as a book

Project HR Management
Indo Swedish Author's Collective
PROJECT HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/'Dr UDAY DOKRAS The project
sphere has not been valued appropriately

Human Resource Engineering in Theme Parks.

by Dr. Uday Dokras and Mansse Bhandari
As theme parks evolve into facilitating for greater thrill seeking
audience,the role of human res... more

Health Human Resource Management

Management of Health care workers in hospitals and the human resource
practices to be followed in hospitals.

80
WIN DIET Lose fat-Diet and Exercise Book ONLY BODY SHAPING GUIDE
YOU NEED
The Act on Co-determination at Work – an Efficacy study
Thesis of the Author for the degree of Doctor of Law
Stockholm University, SWEDEN 1990

The special meaning of Prambanan Temple BOOK

Durga Tantric goddess

Development of the Garbagriha

The 4 sided Hindu Mandir( temple ) plan

Vahanas the vehicles of Hindu Gods

81
 Book on Rajmandala

TEMPLE MOUNTAIN o1 or ????

Borobudur as a Tantric Yantra

Mandalification BOOK

All you wanted to know about the structure of Buddhist

Cosmology featured in the Borobudur- but were afraid to
ask

82
 Will you walk with me to Borobudur

Bayon...Temple Mountain of Jayagiri

Dr. Uday Vasant Dokras, gets WORLD RECORD of writing

and uploading Highest number of Books and Research
papers on Hindu Temples, Vastu etc

VISHNU as a DESIGN COMPONENT of Angkor

83
 Design Your Destiny. Astrological Readings of Dr Uday
Dokras
The Orthogonal plan of Angkor Thom

Spiritual Technologies at Borobudur BOOK

Tantricity of the PRAMBANAN GROUP of Temples BOOK

Borobudur- Waiting for the Maitreya

Selected Essays on some Celestial Mysteries of the

Borobudur.. Book

Borobodur BOOK

84
 Celestial Mysteries of the Borobodur Temple

Scientific Borobudur

Transition between the pre and post Jayavarman II period

Jayavarman II BOOK The Monarch of the Khmer Empire

JAYAVARMAN II Book

The Mystery of the Tantric Dwarpals or Door Guardians in

the ELLORA Hindu Temple Architecture

85
Architecture and Creativity BOOK

The Book of SriYantra

MANDALA and ARCHITECTURE

Maze of MANDALA PART II

DISRUPTION Book

86
 Hill Temples BOOK

Borobudur---The Tantric Mystique of the Big Boro/ BOOK

“Direction of the Wind “ - “Movement of the Water”
Voyage of the Tantra to South East Asia

The secrets of the Moolasthanam Consecration of Hindu &

Other Temples

The Mysterious Continent of Nusuntara Book

87
 Angkorean Tantricism Revealed
Angkorean Tantricism Revealed COLLECTION of ESSAYS

DWARKA & Dvaravati -------Mysterious lost cities of the

Hindu World of Lord KRISHNA

Rama as DEVRAJA
Rama as DEVRAJA in India (Bharat) and Angkor

Krishna's Astonishment BOOK

Krishna's Astonishment BOOK The Complete Compendium of Rock Cut Temple Architecture of Hindu
Manndirs.

88
 Building Materials of the Hindu Temple

THE COSMOLOGY OF ANGKOR

The Enigma of KRISHNA in the KINGDOM of FUNAN

(Dvaravati)
The Enigma of KRISHNA in the KINGDOM of FUNAN (Dvaravati)

Lingapura or KOH KER The complete Story-- BOOK

Erotic Sentiment in Indian Temple Sculptures Dr Uday

Dokras

89
MANDALA and Territorial Continuity in SE ASIA

Mandala of the Tantra

Selected Essays on some Celestial Mysteries

Grand iteration in Tantrism of Borobudur BOOK

Grand iteration in Tantrism of Borobudur BOOK

SACRED LANDSCAPE - BOROBUDUR & the

COMPLEXITIES of its CONSTRUCTION

90
 SACRED LANDSCAPE - BOROBUDUR & the COMPLEXITIES of its CONSTRUCTION Detailed
PROJECT

Complexities of the Construction work of Angkor Wat

The Complex Layout and Construction Plan of ANGKOR

TEMPLE )==SHORT BOOKLET(100 pages )
The Complex Layout and Construction Plan of ANGKOR TEMPLE

DWARKA----- CELESTIAL MYSTERIES of the Lost

Continent of KRISHNA
DWARKA----- CELESTIAL MYSTERIES of the Lost Continent of KRISHNA

MARCO POLOS OF ANCIENT MARITIME TRADE

MARCO POLOS OF ANCIENT MARITIME TRADE The amazing Tamilians as traders and voyagers

91
 Neither here nor there- but where (NUSUNTARA)
The concept Nusantara is derived from two Sanskrit words: nusa meaning ‘island’ and antara
meaning space

ATLANTIS The lost Continent -BOOK

ATLANTIS The lost Continent -BOOK

THUGEE Book
Before everything else, let me stress that there are 4 theories about the existence of the Thugee

Prambanan Temple BOOK

92
 Book V on Mandala of the Oriental Kingdom

The curtain walls in Khmer Architecture Also featuring

The 5 gates of Angkor Thom
The curtain walls in Khmer Architecture Also featuring The 5 gates of Angkor

MANDALA of BOROBUDUR

Borobudur as "Bhumisambharabhudura" \book

Borobudur as "Bhumisambharabhudura" \book collection of Essays

93
Shiva Bhairava worship in India and Indonesia. Featuring
the Tantric Ganesh

The Hidden cities of Angkor book

Mandala 6 Book

The destiny of Borobudur BOOK

Book V on Mandala of the Oriental Kingdoms

The destiny of Borobudur BOOK

94
Destiny of Borobudur(How a Hindu Shiva Temple ended up becoming the Worlds biggest monument
to 2 religions

Triptych Mandirs(Temples) of Angkor-BOOK

A triptych is an artwork made up of three pieces or panels. Often used to impart narrative.

THE TEMPLE OF Mahishasuramardini in JAVA - BOOK

THE TEMPLE OF Mahishasuramardini in JAVA - BOOK

The Mystic SHIKHARA ---A BOOK

The Mystic SHIKHARA ---A BOOK

Enter Mysterious Borobudur (REPRINT) BOOK

Enter Mysterious Borobudur (REPRINT) BOOK

95
 One Against Many- the Tantric Temples of Indonesia
One Against Many- the Tantric Temples of Indonesia Fully explained right from how tantrcism
reached Indonesia of those days..

SELECTED ESSAYS on Hindu Temples

SELECTED ESSAYS on Hindu Temples

The Troglodyte Architecture of ancient India part II book

The Troglodyte Architecture of ancient India part II book

Divinity and Royalty in the Khmer Lands

Indo Nordic Authors' Collective, 2022
Divinity and Royalty in the Khmer Lands Was Angkor connected to the power of the Kings to use as a
sword in their people

96
 The Technology of Hindu Mandirs (temples)
Indo Nordic Authors Collective, 2022
600 + pages of all info needed to understand the tech of the Hindu mandirs

The Empire that Practiced HYDROLOGY book

Angkor-The Empire that Practiced HYDROLOGY book Collection of the author's essays

Hydrology of Angkor (BOOK)

HYDROLOGY of the Hindu Mandir BOOK

INAC, 2022
HYDROLOGY of the Hindu Mandir Water and the Holy Places of Hinduism

97
 SACRED INDIA Collection of Essays (BOOK)
SACRED INDIA Collection of Essays (BOOK) PART I-The Hindu Land of Bharat Varsh (INDIA)

The Mandala of the Sunyata

In Search of the Mandala of emptyness If Mandalas are circular then why are they bare and emply.

In Search of the Square Mandala

In Search of the Square Mandala If Mandalas are circular then is there a SQUARE?...

The world OF sanskrit book

98
 Khmer cities' Town Planning
How were the Khmer cities planned? BOOK Chapter I-Town Planning in Khmer Times-

Multiplicity of Hindu Temple Meaning BOOK

Indo Nordic Authors' Collective, 2020
Multiplicity of Hindu Temple Meaning Is the Hindu mandir A Mandala A stepped Pyramid A temple
Mountain.

Angkor as a SPIRITUAL LIGHTHOUSE

Angkor as a SPIRITUAL LIGHTHOUSE that attracted the Hindu Masses of the Khmer Kings.

The Pillars and Mandapa of the Hindu Mandir

The Pillars and Mandapa of the Hindu Mandir BOOK

Sanskrit The SINDBAD

99
 Dr Dokras( LEFT) with Dr Harish Rathi leading medical
practitioner of Nagpur,India

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/govt-invites-ideas-from-artists-on-guardian-
statues-for-new-parliament/articleshow/92995941.cms?
utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

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