Sunday, January 19, 2014

Arjuna Temple Group Dieng Plateau, Central Java,indonesia

These attractive small temples are the earliest known in central Java. They date to at least the early 8th century AD, if not older; not all were built at the same time. Stylistically, they resemble some early Pallava temples in Mamallapuram (Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas) and Kanchipuram (Kailasanatha Temple), India, near present-day Madras. From over two dozen original temples, only a handful remain today. They are mostly Shaiva, in keeping with the religious orientation of their Sanjaya builders. As usual, the temples' modern names have no archaeological significance.
The Arjuna group is arranged in a north-south line, with their entrances facing west. C. Arjuna, seen here, is the northernmost (closeup), and has given its name to the whole group. A Shiva temple, it is faced on the east by its Nandi temple, C. Semar.

No comments:

Post a Comment