Descriptive Text

ARJUNA TEMPLE

Arjuna Temple Complex is a temple complex located near the border area of ​​Banjarnegara Regency with Wonosobo Regency, Central Java. More precisely, the Arjuna temple complex is located in Dieng Kulon Village, Batur Subdistrict, Banjarnegara District, Central Java.

Located at altitude of 2093 meters above sea level, Arjuna Temple presents the enchanting landscape of the Dieng plateau combined with the grand masterpiece of the ancient Mataram Kingdom civilization.

Based on historical records, Arjuna Temple Complex is the oldest temple in Java. It is estimated that this temple complex was built in the early 9th century AD. This is reinforced by the discovery of an epigraph with an ancient Javanese script in about 731 Caka (809 AD) and became the oldest epigraph kept at the National Museum Gallery, Jakarta.

According to historical records, the Arjuna Temple Complex on the Dieng Plateau was first discovered by a British army in 1814. When first discovered, the condition of the Arjuna Temple Complex was in a state of submerged lake water. Then the rescue effort of the temple complex was carried out under the leadership of H.C. Cornelius about 40 years post-discovery. The rescue process was then continued under the leadership of a Dutch army named Van Kinsbergen in the colonial period of the Dutch East Indies.

Considering from the symbol of belief, Arjuna Temple Complex is a temple that is functioned as a place of worship for the God of Shiva, the supreme god in the belief of Hindus famous with Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma). It can be proved from the relief of the three gods Trimurti carved on the walls of Srikandi temple which is located exactly north of the Temple Arjuna.

Arjuna Temple Complex consists of five temple buildings that stand on an area of ​​approximately one hectare. The five temples are Arjuna Temple as the main temple, Semar temple which is located directly opposite the main temple. Then lined up sequentially to the north Srikandi Temple, Sembadra Temple, and Puntadewa Temple. The rows of these temples have different shapes and sizes. The average height of the temples in this complex is only four to five meters tall. Around the temple there is a pebble path that functioned as a path for Hindus who are praying to get around the temple.