Jago Temple

INDONESIA, East Java, Malang

This temple is also known as Jajaghu Temple or Tumpang Temple. It is an example of Javanese architecture with both Buddhist and Hindu elements. It is thought to have been built in 1268 by King Kertanegara (reigned 1268–1292) during the Singhasari Kingdom (1222–1292) in memory of his father King Vishnuvardhana (reigned 1248–1268). The sculptures in the temple are works of that period, while the present appearance of the temple results from renovations completed in the middle of the 14th century, during the Majapahit Empire (circa 13th–16th century). According to an inscription on a statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva excavated at the temple, the statue was donated by a minister of the Majapahit Empire upon completion of the renovation work.
The temple faces west and is constructed mainly of andesite stone and brick. The remaining structure is 10 m high, 14 m wide and 24 m long at the base. The roof and much of the body have collapsed, leaving only the base and the doorway to the inner chamber still intact. The base consists of three stepped tiers, with narrative reliefs arranged in a counterclockwise direction. These illustrate the Buddhist Kunjarakarna story, and the Hindu Parthayajna, Arjuna Wiwaha and Krishna stories, as well as Vajrayana stories related to kingship. A Sumeru throne is found at the center of the first tier. Platforms for veneration are found on both the first and second tiers. Double staircases are on the west side, leading up to the third tier, where the main chamber was located.
In front of the temple there is a square stone base, upon which there is an inverted lotus pedestal, but the statue it held is missing. The temple originally had five main statues: Amoghapasa, Green Tara, Bhrkuti, Hayagriva, and Sudhanakumara. However, only the headless statue of Amoghapasa is extant and is placed in a corner of the site.