Central Java Hindu Temples

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Hinduism on Java

Two dynasties ruled Java during the Central Javanese period. The Sivaite Sanjaya ruled the North (see Hindu Temples of Java) and the Buddhist Sailendra (750-850AD) ruled the South. 

After the second half of the ninth century these dynasties were united by the marriage of Rakai Pikatan of Sanjaya to Pramodawardhani of Sailendra. This gave rise to architectural development combining Hindu and Buddhist elements (see Buddhist Temples of Java). The marriage alone was not the driving force behind this development, as Java had links with the Pala kingdom in Bengal. 

Paharpur, a buddhist sanctuary that can be found in Bengal, shows strong links with Candi Loro Jonggrang, and the Kelurak inscription even mentions the consacration of a manjusri statue by a guru from Gaudidvipa. Gaudidvipa is likely to refer to Gaudivisaya in Bengal, another part of the Pala kingdom. Excavations at Paharpur show a fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism that resulted in the development of Tantric Buddhism. 

In the 8th C Central Java likely came under the supremacy of the Mahayana kingdom of Sriwijaya, located near Palembang on Sumatra. The King of Srivijaya, like the Buddhist kings of Java, belonged to the Sailendra dynasty. The Canggal inscription of 778 dedicates the temple at Kalasan formally establishing a Mahayana Buddhist settlement.