Sambisari Temple

A. Overview

Sambisari is one of the remaining temples from Javanese Hindu period which is administratively situated in Sleman Regency, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The Shivaistic temple was built in the 10th century by Syailendra Dynasty and found unintentionally in 1966 by Karyoniangun, a farmer from Sambisari Village, when he was hoeing in his land.

Following the discovery, the Yogyakarta Center for Archeology (Balai Arkeologi Yogyakarta) then conducted a series of research and excavation. Based on the geological research on the temple stones and the land that had covered it for centuries, the 7,5 m high temple was coated with the volcanic materials of Merapi Mountain’s eruption in 1006. The excavation was carried out in July 1966 and it ascertained that it was indeed a site of an ancient temple. During the excavation, there were also found other artifacts such as jewelry, ceramics, and golden inscriptions. According to the excavation team, the findings indicate that Sambisari Temple was built in around 812-838 A.D. when Hindu Mataram (Ancient Mataram) Kingdom was ruled by King Rakai Garung. The excavation was proceeded with restructuring the shattered parts of the temple. From then on, the temple site has become a cultural preservation area.

In 1987, the Yogyakarta Center of Archeology conducted a renovation and reconstruction on the temple. The reconstruction discovered that the actual position of the temple is 6,5 meter below earth’s surface. Due to its underground position, the locales usually call Sambisari Temple as the underground temple.

B. Features

Its 6,5 m below earth’s surface position makes Sambisari distinctive compared to other Hindu temples in Java. When visitors look at it from the side, the temple will seem as if sticking out from underground.

Architecture-wise, the temple has distinct characteristics—that are obvious in the sections that constitute its whole structure. The main part of the temple is 7,5 m high and in a square shape of 15,6 x 13,6 m wide. The Yogyakarta Center for Archeology estimates that Sambisari Temple complex is actually wider than that if dug further. However, if another excavation is carried out, it is feared that the temple will be flooded in rainy season because its position is lower than a river on its west.

For visitors wanting to get into the main building, the gate is at the west side of it. When ascending to the gate, visitors will find a unique ornament of a wing on the stairs. On the tip of the wing, there carved Makara relief that is sustained by two statues of dwarfs. Another particularity of the temple is the absence of supporting columns. Its base part also functions as sustaining pillars. In this part, there is also an open veranda with a staircase of 12 steps surrounding the temple’s body.

Outside the main building of the temple, visitors will find niches for statues. Visitors can see the statues of Dewi Durga at the north, Ganesha at the east, Agastya at the south. There are two other niches on the right and left of the gate, which are places for statues of the usher gods, Mahakala and Nadisywara. Unfortunately, both statues have been stolen. Visitors, moreover, can also see big sculptures of Yoni and Lingga in a room inside the temple’s body.

In addition, in the complex there are 3 pervara temples or accompanying temples at the front of the main temple. Each temple is 4,8 m² wide and 5 m high. While on the outer part of the complex, there is also a 50 m x 48 m wall made of white stones surrounding the temple building.

C. Location

Sambisari Temple is administratively situated in Sambisari, Purwomartani, Kalasan District, Sleman Regency, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Indonesia.

D. Ticket

The ticket to Sambisari Temple is very affordable. It is only Rp. 500 per visitor (by June 2008).

E. Access

Sambisari Temple is 12 km east from the center of Yogyakarta or 5 km away from Prambanan Temple. To reach this site from downtown, visitors could take a bus of Yogya-Solo route and stop after taking a 10 km long trip when there is seen a road sign to the site. Afterwards, visitors could continue the trip for the next 2 km by ojek (motorcycle taxi).

F. Facilities and Other Accomodations

There are not yet wide-ranging facilities around the complex mainly due to its location in the middle of a rice field area. Visitors could only find some modest installations such as tavern, small shop, and mosque in the residence area near the temple. For those who need more facilities and accommodations, the nearest place is Yogyakarta, 12 km away westwards. There are hotels, restaurants, malls, international airport (Adi Sucipto), places of worship, beauty saloon, cafés, art galleries, museums, and so on.

Text by Afthonul Afif

translation by Reza Daffi

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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