The Buddhist temple Plaosan Lor (commonly known as Plaosan Temple) was built in Bugisan, Prambanan District, which is found in Klaten Regency. The borders surrounding the Plaosan Temple are the Kebondalem Lor Village up North, the Kemuda Village in the East, the Taji Village in the South and the Dengok River flowing through the North and the East.
According to Caparis, the Plaosan Lor Temple was built around 825 – 850 B.C.E (Before Common Era) by Pramowardaddhani, princess of King Samaratungga from the Syailendra Dynasty and of the title Sri Kahulunan, and her husband, Rakai Pikatan of the Sanjaya Dynasty.
This finding of who built the Plaosan Temple is supported by the data from the inscription, artistic, and architectural style of the temple, whereby the spirit of teamwork and interculturalism was prevalent. Another temple which was built with interculturalism in mind is the Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut – Venuvana), originally built by King Samaratungga (whom was a Buddhist king) and later on aided by Rakai Garung (Rakarayan Patapan Pu Palar), whom was a Hindu king.
The Plaosan Lor Temple possesses a distinctive architecture from other temples, in that there are two main temples (candi) separated by fences and gates, and the gates are adorned with a pair of guardian statues (dwarpala). The floor plan for the two main temples are square, and the temples themselves are two-story high. These main temples comprise the Southern temple, to be used by males, and the Northern temple, to be used by females.
The vicinity surrounding the Plaosan Temple also covers Candi Lor and Candi Kidul, spanning across an area of 460 x 290 meters square.
Temple Chambers
The interior of temple chambers in Plaosan Temple is also unique among other temples. The interior of Plaosan Temple was heavily influenced by a concept called Yogini Yantra (Yantra means mystical diagram according to Wikipedia, and Yogini means a female yogi). The chambers were built using the North and South wind directions, and inside each of these chambers, there are three rooms and three Boddhisatva statues.
Six statues were placed inside the temple chambers, and two along the left and right grooves near the primary entrance of the two main temples. These two statues are called Maitreya and Manjusri.
According to the Sanghyang Kamahayanikan Ratnatraya text, the statues denoted by the character “*” have been lost.
Below is an illustration of the concept of Ratnatraya (Triratna) inspiring the interior placement of the main temple chamber.
The figures of the king and the queen can be found on the walls of the temple chambers in the both the main temples (Northern and Southern temples).
Perwara
The area within the Plaosan Lor Temple comprises three rows of perwara (by the Indonesian definition, perwara is sort of a mini temple which accompanies/adorns the main temple), totalling to 174 perwara. The placements of these perwara are as follows: the first row contains 50 perwara with the shape of Caitya, the second row consists of 54 perwara taking the shape of stupa and 4 perwara in the corners taking the shape of Caitya, and the third row is made up of 62 stupa perwara and 4 Caitya perwara in the corners.
This perwara is a form of offering (anumoda) or darma (Dharma), bestowed upon by the kings and their families or kingdom representatives as a benefaction of building the holy Buddhist structures. There are many brief inscriptions written on the perwara, in which the names of the benefactor kings were written with the word “anumoda”.
A stupa-shaped perwara is a benefaction from Buddhist kings, while the perwara with the shape of Caitya is a benefaction from Hindu kings
Many inscriptions say: dharma sri maharaja (darma sri maharaja), asthupa sri maharaja rakai pikatan (stupa offered by Rakai Pikatan), anumoda sang kalung warak Pu’Daksa (benefaction by Sang Kalungwarak Pu Daksa), anumoda sri kahulunnan (benefaction by Sri Kahulunnan), anumoda sang da pankur pu agam (benefaction by Sang Da Pangkur Pu Agam).
Arca Dwarpala
The Dwarpala statue, which was discovered in 1994, was found to be 70 centimetres below the ground. This shows that the Plaosan Lor Temple was built on a higher ground and was the holiest structure compared to other structures within the vicinity.
These fences surround the three rows of perwara, where each perwara had two entrances on its Western side. At each entrance, there is a pair of dwarpala statues.
On the Northern side between two rows of perwara stupa, there is a Mandapa. This Mandapa was built with 16 stone-based foundations, forming a rectangle with an entrance in the West. The presence of these stone-based foundations indicates that there are be wooden pillars which would support the building above them.
Carvings
The carvings of masculine and feminine figure appear to be King Rakai Pikatan and Queen Pramorwardhhani.
Makara, based on Indian mythology, was a sea animal possessing the combined appearance of various animals, few which are elephant, snake, crocodile and dragon.
The carving of a love bird adorning the interiors of the main temple chambers, symbolising loyalty and love towards its significant other.
The giant whom carried a scale to measure our good-will and bad-will. This carving can be found on the bottom left and right of the entrance to the temple.
The carving of Kala, taking the shape of a giant with its mouth open wide. This carving is usually found on doors, windows or gates. Kala represents time, reminding all living beings that life will eventually be “consumed” by time.
The long circling vines represent patience; this carving reminds us that this life should be filled with patience.
The carving of a musical instrument resembling a trumpet, which is used to gather the congregation.
The flowery rhombus pattern, which is flanked by two pillars, symbolises how we need to be able to differentiate good-will and bad-will. The two pillars which flank the rhombus can be interpreted as a strong foundation for discerning the good from the bad.
Plaosan Kidul Temple
The Plaosan Kidul Temple is located around 100 metres to the South of the Plaosan Lor Temple. This temple has one main temple, which is surrounded by 85 accompanying mini temples (perwara). However, the shape of the main temple cannot be determined as of yet until it has been restored completely. The variety of adornments found in this temple is quite similar to the ones found in the Plaosan Lor Temple.