Candi Mendut, Yogyakarta
Go Back
Steps leading up Candi Mendut.
Mendut was built at about the same time as Borobudur, around the second half of the eighth century, and most probably by King Sri Maharaja Panangkaran, of the same dynasty that gave us Borobudur.
The back wall of the porch is ornamented with bas reliefs representing the Kaplavreksa tree, or Jewel Bearing Wishing Tree. On the wall of the north side is the relief of the goddess Hariti surrounded by her children. This is a symbol of fertility. On the south wall is the god Jambhala or Kuwera, the symbol of wealth. He is also depicted with his offsprings.
Upon entering the temple, we come to the dark cell. As our eyes adjust to the dim light within, we can see in front of us the statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni seated on a prabha, or throne. On his left is the Avalokiteswara, with the Amitabha on her crown, Vajrapani. She is holding a red lotus and put on her palm. On his right is Maitreya. Below the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni is a Chakra wheel between two deer. The handpose of the Buddha image is turning the Wheel of Law of Cause and Effect (Dharma Chakra Mudra). Buddha Sakyamuni is depicted proclaiming the Buddha doctrine in the Isipathana Deer Park.
On the outer side of the body of the temple, the image of Devi Tara (Sakti or Spirit of Buddha) is chiselled in the north wall. The Avalokiteswara is on the east wall while the Manjusri on the south. On the balustrade leading into the temple are carvings represent stories from the Jatakas, children's fables and lessons using animals as the characters.
 | A bayan tree in the compound of Candi Mendut. |
The Buddha Sakyamuni seated on a prabha, or throne, with his hand in the Dharma Chakra Mudra, or turning the Wheel of Law of Cause and Effect position.
Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips Destination IndonesiaSongs about Penang
About this website
Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.
