Southeast Asian countries have beautiful temples that attract many visitors every year. These temples, built centuries ago, tell us stories of history from those times. Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Central Java, Indonesia, are examples of these stunning temples.
Temples were constructed for praying to Hindu gods or preserving the graves of kings and noble families after cremation. Speaking of Hindu dynasties in Indonesia, the Majapahit Kingdom has a powerful history, marked by temples across Java Island.
Majapahit became the strongest kingdom from Java island in the 13 and 14 Centuries because it had a wide area of region conquered from Sulawesi, Sumatra, Maluku, Papua, and some islands in Indonesia. Tumasik (Singapore) and some small regions in Philippine also became parts of Majapahit.
What temples symbolize the greatness of Majapahit’s history? Here is a list you can visit, so you’re not just limited to Borobudur.
Candi Tikus (Mouse Temple)
Candi Tikus is a Hindu temple located in Temon Village, Trowulan, Mojokerto Regency. The construction’s shape is for the royal family who wants to take a bath.
This temple was buried under the ground when the villagers were hunting the mice that destroyed the paddy’s field. That’s why it was named Tikus Temple. Tikus means ‘mouse’ in Indonesian and Javanese language.
Tikus Temple is estimated to have been built in the 13th or 14th century. In the ‘Nagarakertagama’, one of the famous book created by Mpu Prapanca, mentioned that this temple was once used as a bathing place and a site for ceremonial rituals of ancient kings.
Mpu Prapanca was well-known as a Javanese scholar who wrote some notable literary works and also a Buddhist monk.
Cetho Temple
‘Cetho’ is a Javanese word that means ‘clear.’ From this temple, we can see clearly around without anything blocking the view. Cetho Temple is located in Gumeng Village, Karanganyar, and it’s on land at an altitude of 1,496 meters above sea level.
This Hindu temple was built during the reign of Prabu Brawijaya V in the Majapahit Kingdom, around 1452–1470. After a long time, a Dutch man named Van der Vlis discovered Cetho Temple in 1842.
Based on researchers’ reports (W.F. Stuterheim, K.C. Crucq, and A.J. Bernet Kempers), Cetho Temple was used by Hindus for ruwatan events.
Ruwatan is a Javanese traditional ceremony to purify and liberate a human or place from danger or curses of the gods, as practiced by some Javanese people.
Cetho Temple was renovated in 1970 and has since become a cultural heritage site protected by the government. It is now also a famous tourist destination.
Sukuh Temple
Sukuh Temple stands as a remarkable relic of Hindu architecture from the end of the Majapahit Kingdom. This temple faces a vast expanse of lowland plains, offering breathtaking views of prominent peaks such as Mount Telomoyo, Mount Ungaran, Mount Merapi, and Mount Merbabu.
Mount Lawu itself holds deep spiritual significance. During the Majapahit era, it was revered as a sacred area by the Hindu community in Java, a fact documented in the Tantu Panggelaran, an ancient Javanese prose text compiled around 1557 Caka (1635 CE).
Sukuh Temple also shows the influence of the Tantrayana, the belief that harmonizes Hindu and Buddhist teachings. It has Hindu religious symbols, such as lingga and yoni also Garuda relief.
Scholars and historians have long debated the purpose of Candi Sukuh. Some theorize it served as a site for purification ceremonies, while others believe it was a sacred retreat for sages (Rsi).
Regardless of its exact function, the temple's enigmatic design and spiritual legacy continue capture admiration from visitors and researchers alike.
Penataran Temple
This temple was built in the 12th century, and King Hayam Wuruk often visited this place. Penataran Temple is located in Blitar, East Java Province. Penataran is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Shiva tradition.
Hayam Wuruk was the king who brought Majapahit to its golden era. During his reign, Majapahit won many battles, aided by Gajah Mada, and conquered most of the Indonesian islands, Singapore, and parts of the Philippines.
Archaeologists believe that Penataran was originally called Candi Palah, as mentioned in the Palah Inscription dated 1194 CE. This temple was constructed as a mountain sanctuary, serving as a place of worship to ward off the dangers posed by Mount Kelud's volcanic activity.
The spiritual significance of Penataran Temple continued into the era of King Hayam Wuruk. According to the Nagarakretagama, the king himself visited this sacred site to perform rituals in honor of Hyang Acalapat, a manifestation of Shiva as Girindra, the Lord of the Mountains.
Jabung Temple
Jabung Temple was built in 1354 CE in Jabung Village, Probolinggo, East Java. It is a well-known destination for local tourists. In the Pararaton, this temple is mentioned as Bajrajinaparamitapura.
Jabung is included as the Buddha Mahayana temple. It shows us that Majapahit appreciated Hindu and Buddha very well.
Pararaton is an ancient Javanese literary work from the Majapahit era that tells the history of the Singasari kingdom as well as the history of the kings of Majapahit.
King Hayam Wuruk often visited Jabung Temple to perform worship ceremonies. It became an important place for the king to pray at that time.
Although Majapahit was primarily a Hindu kingdom, it also honoured people who followed Buddhist beliefs. Jabung Temple was used to respect the three gods in Buddhist beliefs. It is also thought to have served as a burial site for the wife of Bjre Gundal, a royal descendant.
Today, Jabung Temple remains an active place of worship for Buddhists. For example, in 2021, it was used as the venue for the Tri Suci Waisak Day celebrations, highlighting its ongoing cultural and spiritual significance.
This is the five temples that you can visit when you want to explore the Majapahit history in East Java. Enjoy the scenery and also the magnificent history.
