Klaten, IO – Located in the Bugisan village, Prambanan district, Klaten regency, Plaosan Temple may sound unfamiliar to people’s ears. However, this temple is proof that respect for differences and tolerance have been ingrained in Indonesia since the 9th century AD.
Based on information from the information board when the editor of Observerid.com visited the temple recently, it was explained by the physiologist from the Netherlands, Johannes Gijsbertus de Casparis, that the temple was founded in the mid-9th century AD (between 825-850 AD) based on inscriptions, art style and architecture of the temple. It is also said that the Plaosan temple was built during the Rakai Pikatan reign of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom.
Rakai Pikatan built Plaosan Temple for his wife, Pramodhawardhani. They adhered to different religions. The husband was a Hindu, while the wife was a Buddhist. Plaosan Temple proves the existence of harmony between two religions that live side by side. Harmony is clearly demonstrated by the existence of two types of Perwara temple buildings, one of which is in the form of a stupa.
Plaosan Temple is divided into two sites, Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul, because currently the two locations are separated by a road. From the discovery of the ditches surrounding the Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul temple sites, it is assumed that the two complexes were actually part of the same site.
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In terms of architecture, Plaosan Lor temple has two main temples in a row north and south, each main temple has its own yard which is bordered by a fence with a gate. The main temple has three rooms on two floors. In each room on the ground floor, there is a statue pedestal flanked by two stone statues. Apart from that, there are also niches which may contain statues. This main temple is surrounded by 58 Perwara Temples and 116 Perwara Stupas.
The two main temples face west and there is a gate in front of each main temple with two Dwarapala statues facing each other. Another building in the Plaosan temple is a building in the form of a batur with an umpak called a Mandapa. The Plaosan Mandapa building is located on the north side of the Plaosan Lor Main Temple, facing west. (rr)