Candi Simping [Sumberjati]

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Origins

Located Sth E of Blitar. [map reference: 1507-632 Lodoyo 08.45 09.45]

Funerary site of Kretarajasa Djayawarddhana, fthe first king of Majapahit. Construction on the sanctuary was started prior to this King's death in 1309 (Canto 61 & 62 of the Nagarakretagama). The site was extensively restored under Hayam Wuruk in 1361, as the principal building, the prasada, had collapsed. In the process the prasada was moved slightly to the East (Canto 70, Nagarakrtagama). 

Description of architecture

The temple comprises of a single building with its opening to the West, and measuring about 8.4m2.

Description of statues and reliefs

The principal statue of the Candi, shown here on the right, is the impersonation of King Kretarajasa as Siva (Prapanca identifies it as such) or Harihara (a diety combining the attributes of Siva and Visnu). Krom (1912) first believed that this statue, kept at the National Museum of Jakarta,  also originated from Candi Rimbi, given its similarity to the Parwati statue found there. [link]   Stein-Callenfels (1916) suggested it would have originated from Sumberjati, a suggestion with which  Krom (1923, II:167) later concurred. This Parvati statue is plausibly a likeness of Gayatri (the Rajapatni), wife of Kretarajasa and daughter of Kretanagara, the last King of Singasari. See genealogy: Singasari  Majapahit

Temple decorations suggest that the temple had close links with Visnu. We see his conch, as well as the tortoise used as a support for Mt Mandara when it was used to churn the ocean to retrieve the amerta (holy water). Visnu plays a role in this story in his incarnation as Kurma Avatara. See pictures page.

Rediscovery and restoration

The most likely first reference to the temple was made by Teysmann in 1856 as Candi Sungkup. Hoepermans described the temple in 1867 and reports it to be in poor condition partially due to <excavations> by the Javanese painter Raden Saleh. Knebel mentions the site in 1908 and the Archeological Service conducted a survey in 1915. 

Mounted: 19-Jan-06 ed: 05-Feb-06, 5-Sep-09

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