"Candi Ijo " The Green Hill Java Temple

"Candi Ijo " The Green Hill Temple  google doc

Down the road to the southern part of Queen Boko Palace complex is an exciting journey, especially for lovers of cultural tourism. How not, the temple there were scattered like mushrooms in the rainy season. One of them that has not become the talk is Candi Ijo, a temple that is located highest among the other temples in Yogyakarta.

Ijo Temple was built around the 9th century, on a hill known as Green Hill Ijo which height is 410 m above sea level. Because of its height, it is not only the temple but also can enjoy natural view below such as terraces of agriculture land with a steep slope. Although not a fertile area, natural view around the temple is very beautiful to enjoy.


The temple complex consists of 17 building structures that are divided into 11 terraces. The first terrace the yard leading to the entrance of the terraces stretching from west to east. Building on a terrace to the 11th form of encircling wall, eight pole phallus, four buildings namely the main temple, and three ancillary temples. The laying of the building on each terrace are based on kesakralannya. The building on the highest terrace is the most sacred.

"Candi Ijo " The Green Hill Temple  google doc

Variety of art forms encountered since the entrance of the building belonging to this Hindu temple.
Just above the entrance there is a motive when makara with dual heads and some of its attributes. Such motif and attributes can also be found in Buddhist temples show that such temples are acculturation forms of Hindu and Buddhist culture. Some temples have a similar motif when makara among others Ngawen, Plaosan and Sari.

There is also a statue describing flying woman and man directing to certain side. The figure may have several meanings. First, as suwuk to mngusir evil spirits and second as a symbol of the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma. The unity is interpreted as the beginning of the creation of the universe. Unlike the statue in Prambanan Temple, natural style of the statues in Ijo Temple do not lead to eroticism.

Towards perwara on the terrace of the building to the 11th, there is a place like a tub where a fire sacrifice (homa). Right at the top of the rear wall of the tub, there are air holes or vents shape of a parallelogram and a triangle. The pit their mirror Hindu society that worships Brahma. Three ancillary temples show respect for the Hindu Trimurti society, namely Brahma, Shiva, and Whisnu.

One of the works that keep mystery are two inscriptions located on the terrace of the temple on the 9th. One inscription reads coded F Guywan or Bluyutan means hermitage. Another inscription is made of stone as high as 14 cm and 9 cm thick containing magic spells are predicted to be curses. Spells were written 16 times and of which read "Om Sarwwawinasa, Sarwwawinasa." It could be two inscriptions may relate closely to certain occurrences in Java at the time. What events? Up to now has not been revealed.

"Candi Ijo " The Green Hill Temple  google doc

Visiting this temple, you will see the beautiful scenery that can not be found in other temples. When facing westward and looked down, you could see the planes taking off and landing at Adisucipto Airport. This scenery because the Seribu Mountains where the temple stands is the border east of the airport. Because the existence of the temple in the mountains, too, Adisucipto airport runway could not be extended to the east.

Every detail of the temple presents meaningful thing and invites the visitors to reflection so that the trip will not just be fun. The existence of many great works of art without the name of the author shows a view of the past Javanese community that emphasized more on moral message presented by the works of art, rather than the creators or the greatness of his art.