Sewu Temple is located within the Prambanan Temple Park, about 800 meters north of Prambanan Temple. It is the second-largest Buddhist temple complex in Central Java after Borobudur Temple. Its proximity to the Hindu Prambanan Temple reflects the historical harmony between Buddhist and Hindu communities.
Believed to have been built in the 8th century during the reign of Rakai Panangkaran, the temple was likely known as “Manjusrigrha” (House of Manjusri), based on an inscription dated 792 AD. It functioned as an important royal religious center in ancient times.
The complex consists of 249 structures, including one main temple, eight Apit temples, and 240 Perwara (companion) temples, all primarily built from andesite stone. The main temple is polygonal in shape, about 30 meters high, and faces east. Inside, it contains one main chamber and four smaller rooms connected by doorways.
Its roof is composed of multiple tiers, crowned with stupas, with the central roof being the tallest and most prominent, consisting of three levels.
