Archaeological sites which are historically valuable historical heritage, art and culture is capital resources and tourism development for the prosperity and welfare improvement as contained in Pancasila and the Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Year 1945. Yet the archaeological site conditions fragile and limited , not many people who know the history and condition so we need a way to keep the history and culture in all its diversity. Therefore, the necessary information systems to assist in maintaining the existing cultural resources. (Explanation of the Law No. 11 Year 2010 on Heritage).

Existence of Archeological Sites Candi Abang;
coordinates:
7 ° 48'37 "S 110 ° 28'12" E / 7.810154 ° S 110.470104 ° E
Location Temple Abang is in Hamlet Sentonorejo, Jogotirto Village, Berbah District, Sleman, Yogyakarta. To reach the temple, could seek Jogja-Solo Road, precisely at Prambanan. Once Up on Terminal Prambanan, Yogyakarta-looking Piyungan Highway Km 8., Where, there are signposts to the right (west) reads Cave Temple Abang and Sentana.

Abang temple located on the hilltop at the edge of the village road, 1.5 kilometers west of the Highway Jogja-Piyungan. Access to a great location and can be reached four-wheeled vehicles. It's just, so to the summit of the hill, somewhat damaged and could only be reached on foot or motorbike. Travelers can use the public transport. That is, find the bus that passes Highway Jogja-Piyungan

Integrity of the temple is no longer perfect. However, it does not mean beauty and uniqueness are already full. Candi Abang still firmly standing on a hilltop with a brick building material. Temple Abang board size is 36 x 34 meters, and the height can not be predicted. The temple is shaped like a pyramid, with a well in the center. In this temple, there is a ladder, entered and made ​​of white stone aka limestone. In addition, there are some andesite rocks of unknown function.

This temple was built in the 9th century and 10th in the days of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom. Nonetheless, this temple is expected to have a younger age than other Hindu temples. The temple is shaped like a pyramid temple brother named because it is made of red bricks (brother in Javanese). This temple form a hill, now overgrown with grass so that from a distance appears much like a mound or small hill.
When first discovered, in this temple there is a statue and pedestal yoni, the symbol of the god Shiva segidelapan shaped (not rectangular, as usual) with a side measuring 15 cm.
Some people consider a place where the Temple Abang treasure in ancient times, therefore, often destroyed and excavated by irresponsible people who are looking for historical treasures and valuables. It so happens for example in November 2002.

Abang temple mound is actually just over the hill. This hill when the rainy season is green, while in the dry season of course barren. The new temple will be visible colored Abang abang (red) if the conditions are really dry and dry. As in general, most of the temple is built on a hill, because in the past a higher place is regarded as a holy place (place of residence of gods).
The uniqueness of this temple Temple Abang is built with red bricks. Why unique? Is there no other temples built with red bricks?

Well, this is very interesting for me. In general temples in Central Java is the temple built with stones. What is the andesite stone? Andesite stone is a volcanic igneous rock. Can imagine khan big rocks spewed out of Mount Merapi. Well, rock andesite stone like that name. But to create a durable temples, took a perfect andesite. Which is like what? Andesite stone as the material must andesite stone temples buried in the ground and had to be mined. Inillah andesite stones carved to form interlocking squares that make up the composition of the temple.
Andesite stone is not the only stone that is used as a constituent of the temple. There is also a red brick. Herein lies the characteristics and differences. The temple in Central Java is generally made ​​of stones. While the temple in East Java, made ​​of red brick.
When viewed from the long-lasting quality, of andesite stone more durable. Examples Sambisari in Sleman, despite years covered lava of Mount Merapi, but still can be found again in the intact state (although not perfect).

In contrast to the temple heritage of Majapahit in East Java, which is generally made from red bricks, a bit hard to parse the history of them, because of Majapahit temples average is no longer shaped temple, only ruins. Conditions red brick temple in East Java today the average has been reconstructed from the image of the temple that is in the book History of Java-owned Raffles. So it has been the result of restoration for tourism. Though the temples in East Java on average younger than the temples in Central Java. While the temple in Central Java, was built during the reign of the ancient Mataram, a much older era of Majapahit.

That's why, Temple Abang interesting because rather unusual only if there is a temple made ​​of red brick in the central Java, especially in Yogyakarta. Unfortunately I can not tell you more about the temple reliefs at the temple Abang because buried in the ground.

Candi Abang, Pyramid Protector Residents
At the site of the temple was found yoni, as a marker that the temple is a Hindu heritage. Yoni that is in the temple-shaped hexagon or octagon with each side measuring 15 cm. Oh yes, in the Temple area Abang, specifically the South side of the temple there is a stone that resembles a frog. By local people called the Stone Frog, although without a full explanation related to the presence of the stone. At the top of the temple, there is the well-named Bandung wells. While at this location, so looking down from the top of the hill, can be seen expanse of paddy field soil and used for various activities.

myth

Local people still exist who believe, Temple Abang maintained a prominent and respected elder. He named Kyai Butcher, who has a great body and long hair.

Kyai Butcher is the protector of all the damage. In the days of Japan, residents often take refuge in the temple, because there is a belief. Kyai Butcher will protect them. Belief in very large Kyai Butcher. Thus, there is a story about a lump of gold as big as calves are believed to exist in the body temple brother, still living the story and no one dared to prove it.

Quite apart from all the stories, each place (one temple) has its own story among citizens. Such Candi Abang always associated with terpedam treasure story, or several stories about the place looking pesugihan. There are mythical stories of local residents ever tell me about Temple Abang, for example, why on top of the temple mound Abang no large plants growing? Why just grass? Because if you study the History of Java-owned Raffles, some temples are found even in conditions of "gripped" by the roots of large plants. Then why in the Temple Abang even no plants are "gripped"?


There are also stories of local residents, certain moments when there are clouds above the temple then the cloud will be colored red, and not everyone will see only the desired person who can see it.

Whatever the story behind it, one that we should not forget, that this place was once one of the centers of civilization of our ancestors, something we should not ignore. Something too bad if you missed it.

Team Reporting & photographer:
1. Priyo Sularso
2. Sigit Purwoko
3. Alia Ali