Monday, July 18, 2011

Ratu Boko Temple


One of the relics of antiquity are very mysterious is the Queen's Palace or the Temple of Queen Boko Boko. That this one temple situated on a hill, about 3 km from Prambanan Temple and 19 km from the city of Yogyakarta extent of approximately 16 ha, which includes two villages in the province of Yogyakarta Special Region, Dawung and Sambirejo. 

Try you come at sunrise, or sunset, it is fantastic! Of Ratu Boko Temple Complex, you will be able to see clearly, how beautiful the golden round ball floating right in the gate of this temple, and slowly sinking. So too in the morning, when the sun will rise. 

Spatial and Architecture Ratu Boko 

Ratu Boko probably built around the 9th century AD by the dynasty dynasty, which later took over the Hindu Mataram. As a monument of ancient relics, Ratu Boko is still a mystery. The attributes listed here are referring to an area of ​​the township. But still, experts are still difficult to identify, whether it is the royal gardens, palaces, forts or temples.

Ratu Boko has a 3 pieces patio / levels, each separated by stone walls and fortresses. To reach the first terrace, we should pass a big gate that was built in two phases. In the west of this terrace there is a fort or Lime Stone Temple (Temple of Limestone).Named Lime Stone Temple because he was made of limestone.The distance is approximately 45 m from the first gate.

Second and first terraces are separated by walls andelit. The second terrace is to be achieved after passing the gate at paduraksa consisting of 3 door. Larger door (Main Gate) is in the middle, flanked by two smaller gates.

The second and third terraces separated by a fortress of limestone and walls andelit. To enter into the third terrace, we must pass through five gates, of which the most central gate is larger when compared with 4 other flanking the gate.

 

On the third terrace (patio largest) was concentrated remnants.Here we can find, among others, Hall (Meeting Room). The foundation of this hall a length of 20 m, 20 m wide and 1.25 m high, located in the north of this terrace.

While in the south, we will find the foundation Pringgitan, a length of 20 m, width 6 m, and height 1.25 m. Both the pavilion and pringgitan, dikelingi by a fence with a length of 40 m, width 36 m, and height of 3 m. The fence is equipped with 3-roofed gate in the north, south, and west. Three steps are made to climb up to the foundation.

In the east hall, there are complex Swimming Baths which is surrounded by a rectangular fence. The complex consists of 3 groups. The first group, consisting of three rectangular ponds. Two of them extends from north to south, and both are separated by a gate. The second group consists of 8 circular pool that is divided into 3 rows.

On this terrace, we can also see the remains of a building called Paseban (Reception Room) stretching from north to south. The ruins of the gates, fences and ramps are also found here.

In addition, there are also princess (Princess Palace or Residence), where in it there is a rectangular pool measuring 31 x 8 m2 surrounded by a fence. This fence has two gates, masng are located in the southwest and northeast. About 60 m from the gate, we could see the ruins of the rocks, but the floor is still good condition. Basically a square measuring 20 x 20 m.

Besides these places, there are many ruins that can be found at Ratu Boko, such as the ruins of the Cave Men (Male Cave) measuring 3.5 m long, 3 m width, and height 1.5 m, and a cavesmaller again, Cave Women (Female Cave).

Ratu Boko has produced numerous artifacts, including statues, Hindu statues either (Durga, Ganesha, Garuda, phallus and yoni), and statues of Buddhas (Dhyani Buddhas of three unfinished). In addition, also found pottery and a few inscriptions.

One of the inscriptions found in the inscription Siwagraha. This inscription mentions the battle between King Balaputra and Rakai Pikatan. Since losing the war, Balaputra escape and build a defense on the foothills of Ratu Boko.

There had also found five fragments Prenagari lettered inscriptions and Sanskrit, Though incomplete, this inscription can still be read.Content related to the establishment of sacred buildings Awalokiteswara, one Buddhisatwa in Buddhism, especially Mahayana. Judging from the form of letters, inscriptions are from the 8th century AD

In addition, also found three lettered inscriptions in Old Javanese form of Sanskrit poetry. Two of them contain Saka year 778 or 856 M, which contains the establishment of the phallus and the phallus Triyambaka Kerttiwasa on the orders of King Kumbhaya. Whereas the other contains the founding of the inscription on the orders of King Kalasodbhawa phallus.

Another inscription found at Ratu Boko is a Sanskrit inscription, Java, and an inscription (brief) on a gold plate.

Ratu Boko Remaining Mysteries Revealed

Although so many and diverse remains of buildings found there, until now the function Ratu Boko is still unknown. Some believe that the Ratu Boko is a monastery, or a place of rest and recreation.

Inscriptions were found also seems difficult to serve as a source to know the function of the temple on this one. The writings found there just shows that Ratu Boko was in the period between century 8-9. Inscriptions from the 8th century buildings generally contain sacred Buddhist establishment, while the 9th century shrine contains the establishment of Hindu once. But since there are no inscriptions to explicitly mention the function of any existing buildings, the Ratu Boko is still a mystery until now.


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