Yogyakarta is not only known for its beautiful natural attractions. But, there are also historical tourist attractions that are now still popular. If visitors usually go to Prambanan temple for vacation, they should actually also visit Sewu temple which is located in the north of Prambanan. Sewu Temple keeps a lot of history especially the popular legend of Roro Jonggrang.
Sewu Temple is situated in Prambanan Temple Complex precisely on KM. 16 Solo street Klurakbaru, Tlogo, Kalasan, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Sewu Temple is 800 meters away of the north of Prambanan Temple. It should better to visit also Sewu temple when you come to Prambanan Temple.
This temple is known as Sewu Temple. The javanes word ‘sewu’ means thousand. The name of Sewu temple is closely related to the legend of Roro Jonggrang and Bandung Bondowoso. In time Bandung Bondowoso have proposed Roro Jonggrang, Bandung Bondowoso had to make 1000 temples in a night. But based on the inscriptions found, the original name of this temple is Prasada Vajrasana Manjusrigrha.
Sewu Temple was discoverd in the 8th century, during the Syailendra dynasty. The construction of Sewu Temple was started by Rakai Panangkaran from the ancient Mataram kingdom and continued by Rakai Pikatan from Sanjaya dynasty. Rakai Pikatan married one of the daughters of the King of Syailendra Dynasty. So that Sewu Temple was finished during the Sanjaya dynasty.
Sewu Temple has Buddhist architecture style. Therefore, during Syailendra Dynasty, Sewu Temple became the center of Buddhist worship. This is unlike Prambanan Temple which has a Hindu architecture. Even so, these two temples which are close each other show that there was a harmony between two different religions.
Sewu Temple Complex has length of 185 meters from the north side to the south side and width of 165 meters from the east side to the west side. Sewu Temple has entrance gate at each direction as well as north, south, west and east. However, it seems that the main gate is on the east side. At each entrance gate there is a giant statue called Drawapala which is believed as a guardian of this temple. These statues stands up to 2 meters high and face each other. Sewu Temple is entirely made by andesite stone.
Although, it is called Sewu Temple, actually there are only 249 temples here. Sewu Temple has a main temple surrounded by small temples. This main temple has diameter of 29 meters and a height of 30 meters located in the middle of the temple complex. Moreover the small temples that surround the main temple are called Perwara and Penjuru Temples. Both kind of temples are located beyond the area of the main temple. But unfortunately, both Perwara and Penjuru Temple consist of many incomplete small temples or there leaves only stone chunks.
Many activities can be done at Sewu Temple. Visitors can walk around while looking around and taking temple pictures in Sewu Temple. Or visitors can rent a bicycle and go around Sewu Temple to Prambanan Temple area. There is also Sewu Temple Museum as the educational tour package. In this museum, visitors will get more knowledge about Sewu Temple, the restoration of this temple, and also historical movie screening.
The entrance ticket of Sewu Temple is included in Prambanan Temple ticket. An adult’s ticket costs Rp40,000 and A children’s ticket costs Rp20,000. Just like Prambanan Temple, Sewu temple is opened at 08.00 – 17.00. On weekends, the temple area can be full of tourists. You should better to come on weekdays or come earlier in the morning! Prepare also a hat or an umbrella because the temple area is quite hot during the day.
