Candi Jawi

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Origins

Started in the 1280s, and completed in 1332, Candi Jawi is located in Pandaan, on the foot of Gunung Welirang. The Siva-Buddhist Candi Jawi is the funebral monument of Krtanagara, the last King of Singasari. Krtanagara started construction prior to his murder in 1292. Krtanagara's son-in-law, Raden Wijaya who became the first ruler of Majapahit under the name of Krtarajasa ordered the completion of the temple, and transferred Krtanagara's remains there. The sanctuary was consacrated in 1231. 

Visted by Prapanca in 1361 as part of the entourage of King Hayam Wuruk. He reports (Nagarakrtagama, Canto 55-57) that the sanctuary was Siwaite and Buddhist. It had been hit by lightning 30 years prior to his visit, but was subsequently rebuilt.

Description of architecture

Candi Jawi is built in the style of East Java: the temple body is slender and the temple sports a tall, tapering roof the size of which accounts for half the height of the entire building. The base is the broadest part of the building. The narrow body broadens at the top to support the base of the roof. Sockets for what would have been wooden doors can still be seen at the doorway to the central cella. The entrance to the temple is guarded by a kala head and faces East. 

The complex used to be surrounded by a brick wall with at least two entrances, remains of which have been found. 

Description of statues

Prapanca reports the existence of both a Siwaite and Aksobhya statue, the latter of which is however (song 57) and might have been carried in the upper cella. Presently there is only a yoni in the cella. 

Description of reliefs

A continuous relief, rather than a series of individual pictures tell a story that has not yet been identified. 
The ceiling of the main shrine bears the image of Surya, the Sun God.

Rediscovery and restoration

Prior to WWII, the base and roof had been reconstructed. At the time, only the base had been rebuilt (completion in 1938), and failing information about the height of the temple body, the roof was left in a trial construction. 

The main temple was restored between 1976 - 1980. The original site was larger as shown by remnants of gates elsewhere in the compound. 

Mounted: 19-Jan-06, 05-feb-06 (ed)กก

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