Exploring Plaosan Temple in Yogyakarta and How To Get There
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Plaosan temple was built in the mid 9th century by Sri Kahulunnan or Pramodhawardhani, the daughter of Samaratungga, descendent of Sailendra Dynasty, and who was married to Rakai Pikatan in the Hindu tradition.
The Plaosan complex is an ensemble of two Buddhist temples, Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul. Plaosan complex is divided into 2 groups, namely the North Plaosan Temple and the South Plaosan Temple.
Both of the temples have square terrace that is encircled by wall, a pillbox for meditation at the west part and dome on other side. Because of that similarity, the appearance of both temples are the same when they are seen from distant so that Plaosan temple is also called the twin temples.
What to explore at Plaosan Temple?
The Plaosan compound occupies 2,000 square meters land and located 148 meters above sea level. Visiting the temple compound, you will be able to enjoy the view of the rice fields in the surrounding temple.
Plaosan consists of two main temples surrounded by stone walls. Each stone wall was surrounded by 174 in total of ancillary temples. Almost all of the ancillary temples are all ruins. In the west part of the surrounding wall is a stone gate with crown ornaments on top of it.
The main temples are placed above 60 cm platforms. It is ornamented with decorations which beautifully carved in detail. The stairs to the temple has dragon head ornaments on its banister.
Another unique decoration is the Kala head placed above the entrance. Different from the Kala decoration in Barong temple, the Kala in Plaosan does not have a lower jaw.
The outside walls of the two temples are adorned with nearly-human sized reliefs. The relief in the southern wall depicted male figure while the relief in the northern wall depicted female figure.
How to get to Plaosan Temple?
By public transport: Take bus from Janti that route to Yogya-Solo. Stop at the first traffic light after Prambanan temple or around Km 18/19. Continue by taking ojek (motorcycle cab) to get to the temple.
By private vehicles: Driving from Yogyakarta, head eastward to the route of Prambanan temple. Take a left turn at the first traffic light intersection after Prambanan temple (see the post office on the left side).
Arriving at another intersection with traffic light, make a left turn (north) and head to Manisrenggo. Keep going straight until you find the temple on the right side of the road.