Muaro Jambi Temple Compounds

Muaro Jambi ( id, Candi Muaro Jambi) is a Buddhist temple complex, in Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi province, Sumatra, Indonesia. It is situated 26 kilometers east from the city of Jambi. The temple complex was built by the Melayu Kingdom, with its surviving temples and other archaeological remains estimated to date from the 7th to 13th century CE. The archaeological site includes eight excavated temple sanctuaries and covers about 12 square kilometers, stretches 7.5 kilometers along the Batang Hari River, 80 menapos or mounds of temple ruins, are not yet restored. It is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient temple complexes in South East Asia.

It was suggested that Muaro Jambi Temple compound might be the initial location of Srivijaya kingdom. This is mainly because, Muaro Jambi has far richer temple concentration—in contrast to the scarcity of archaeological sites in South Sumatra.

History

The start of the rise of the kingdom of Melayu can be dated to 1025 when Indian kingdom of Chola attacked and destroyed the capital of the Sumatran maritime empire of Srivijaya. This allowed a number of smaller Sumatran polities to expand their political and economic influence. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries it seems that from its river estuarine basis along the Batang Hari, Melayu became the dominant economic power in Sumatra. Muaro Jambi is estimated to have been built somewhere around 7th to 12th century CE, and the substantial archaeological remains suggest that this temple compound may have been the site of the Melayu capital. The city's age of glory came to an end in 1278 when Java's Singhasari kingdom attacked the city, even succeeding in capturing members of the royal family. The site was rediscovered by British soldier, S.C. Crooke in 1824. It is now protected as a national monument.

Design and structures

The temple complex of Candi Muaro Jambi is spread out over a large area along the banks of the Batang Hari River. Eight temple complexes have been excavated but many more mounds and sites remain to be explored within the conservation area, much of which is still covered by thick jungle. The three most significant intact temples are known as Candi Tinggi, Candi Kedaton, and Candi Gumpung. The temples are built from red brick and unlike the temples of Java, feature very little ornamentation, carving, or statuary. A few pieces of sculpture are housed in a small, on-site museum. The wooden dwellings that are believed to have housed the city's population have all disappeared without a trace. Only 9 temples have been restored, 3 have mentioned above and the others are Candi Tinggi I, Candi Kembarbatu, Candi Gedong I, and Candi Gedong II.

Gallery

025 Side View, Candi Gumpung (24266807487).jpg, Candi Gumpung, a Buddhist temple at Muaro Jambi of Malayu Kingdom
004 Main Building, Side View, Candi Tinggi 2 (39127443191).jpg, Candi Tinggi, one of the temple within Muaro Jambi temple compound.
005 Main Building, Front View, Candi Tinggi 2 (39127438451).jpg, Candi Tinggi.
009 Stupa and Platform, Candi Tinggi 2 (38417333354).jpg, Stupa of Candi Tinggi.
037 View of largest Buildings, Candi Kembar Batu (27349849439).jpg, Candi Kembar Batu.
075 Main Candi, Candi Kedaton (38245046225).jpg, Candi Kedaton.
047 Side View, Candi Astano (39127346831).jpg, Candi Astano.
061 Candi showing Staircase, Candi Gedong 1 (39095744942).jpg, Candi Gedong 1.
073 Candi Base, Candi Gedong 2 (38245048115).jpg, Candi Gedong 2.
104 Tree growing through Ruins, Candi Koto Mahligai (24266601907).jpg, Trees above the ruins of Candi Koto Mahligai

See also

* Candi of Indonesia

References

* Oey, Eric M. ''Sumatra''. Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., 1996.

External links

Wonderful Indonesia: Muara Jambi Temple

{{Indonesia topics
Buddhist temples in Indonesia
Sumatra
Srivijaya
Buildings and structures in Jambi
Tourist attractions in Jambi