Sari Temple, a Two-Story Buddhist Architectural Gem
Yogyakarta never runs out of stories about the splendor of past civilizations. If you’re exploring the temple trail in the Prambanan area, don’t just focus on the large temples. Just about 3 kilometers from Prambanan Temple, lies a magnificent and unique ancient structure called Sari Temple (or Bendan Temple).
Located in Tirtomartani Village, Kalasan District, Sleman Regency, Sari Temple offers the charm of distinctive 8th-century Buddhist architecture. Unlike most temples, this rectangular temple once served as a vihara, a residence and meditation site for the Sangha monks.
Main Attractions of Sari Temple in Kalasan
Although not as large as Borobudur, Sari Temple boasts a unique structure and exceptionally high artistic detail:
1. Unique Multi-Storey Building Design (Two Stories)
The most striking feature of Sari Temple is its structure, which resembles a two-story stone stilt house (it is even thought to have once had three stories with wooden partitions). The ground floor was used for monks’ study and meditation, while the upper floor was used to store sacred objects and ritual supplies.
2. Highly Detailed Reliefs of Bodhisattvas and Taras
The exterior walls of Candi Sari are decorated with 36 relief carvings of Buddhist deities standing in graceful poses (tribhanga). These reliefs depict Bodhisattvas and Taras holding lotuses, carved with exquisite precision. The fineness of these carvings testifies to the high skill of ancient Javanese artists during the Ancient Mataram era.
3. The Legendary Bajralepa Protective Layer
Like the nearby Kalasan Temple, the walls of Candi Sari are coated with Bajralepa, a type of ancient natural cement that protects the andesite stone from moss and gives it a subtle yellowish sheen when exposed to the morning sun.
4. Tranquil and Photogenic Atmosphere
Because it is less crowded than Prambanan or Ratu Boko Temples, Candi Sari offers a very calm, quiet, and beautiful atmosphere. This place is a hidden paradise for lovers of ancient architectural photography, history, and tourists who crave comfort in exploring cultural heritage sites.
