Kalasan temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Yogyakarta and Central Java.
The temple is approximately 14 kilometers from Yogyakarta. It lies only about
50 meters left side from the high way of Yogyakarta-Solo, precisely at Kalibening
village in Kalasan.
The construction of Kalasan temple was in 778 BC as a present of the marriage
of Pancapana of Sanjaya dynasty to Dyah Pramudya Wardhani of Syailendra dynasty.
In addition to a marriage present, the temple was also realization of the kings'
proposal to build another holy temple for goddess Tara and a monastery for the
monks. This Buddhist temple was later known built by Rakai Panangkaran from Wanca
Sanjaya whose religion was Hindu.
Its original name is actually Tara temple. Since it is located in Kalasan area,
this temple is popular with the name of Kalasan temple.
This beautiful temple ornamented with finely carved relief and coated with “Vajralepa”,
a yellowish material made of the sap of certain three. The Vajralepa functioned
as adhesive and as protection against moss and mildew, and refined the carving
as well.
Kalasan temple is formed of 34 meters and 45 meters high building. It consists
of three parts: the bottom or the foot, the body, and the top or the roof. The
foot
is the part of the temple that stands on a 45 meters square. On this part, there
is a makara at the edge of the stair. The body of the temple is a square area
where its south east side can be entered through the east door. On the area, there
is a chair ornamented with a standing lion on the back of an elephant. At the
outside of the temple, there is a relung ornamented with a figure of standing
gods carrying the flower of lotus.
On the border between the top and the body of the temple, there is an ornamented
flower of small paradise creature called Gana. The roof of the temple forms eight
angles and consists of two levels. Each of side on the first level, there is a
Budha statue that describes human Budha, and the second level describes Yani Budha,
e.g. Yani Budha Ratnasembawa that is located on the south side. The top of the
temple seems to be a stupa, however it can be reconstructed due to the missing
stones. Surrounding the temples, there are 52 stupa with 4,60 meters height. Those
stupas are no longer constructed due to the missing stones.
