Exploring ancient kingdom, civilization on Yogyakarta’s Shiva Plateau

The hillside of Bokoharjo village in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, Located 3.7 kilometers from Prambanan temple, the hill nonetheless hasn't lost its charm.

The temples were built during the days of the Hindu Mataram kingdom in the eighth century.

Buddhist temples, as well as temples of mixed Hindu and Buddhist influence such as Ratu Boko Palace, are also found on Shiva Plateau.

Historical sites dating back to the Hindu Mataram kingdom are spread in several locations on Shiva Plateau, with some undergoing excavation and renovation. Some can be found scattered on the hill or on local residents’ property.

Exploring the historical sites makes for a fun adventure, as the road winds up the hill from where woods, gardens and villages can be viewed and marveled at. Some historical sites interesting to visit on Shiva Plateau are listed below.

Ratu Boko Palace

This temple is a compound that includes the king’s palace, thought to have been built in the eighth century by the Sailendra tribe from the Hindu Mataram Kingdom. Located in Bokoharjo and Sambirejo villages, Ratu Boko temple is located 196 meters above sea level on the slope of the hill. The compound covers a 27-hectare area.

Functioning mainly as a Hindu Mataram kingdom palace, Ratu Boko temple has a stone main gate, a fortress and a moat. It also has a cremation chamber, an assembly hall, keputren (living quarters for princesses), a water castle where the royals bathed and a meditation cave.

Ratu Boko temple also has visitor facilities such as parking area, information center, restaurant and an open-air theater with a view of Prambanan temple in the distance. It is also a perfect location to take in the sunset.

Ratu Boko Palace

Candi Ijo

This temple complex spans 0.8 hectare, in the form of terraces with stone walls. However, the total area of Candi Ijo is presumed to be more than 0.8 hectare as many artifacts can be found in the temple’s surroundings.

The main part of Candi Ijo houses a pair of sizable Lingga Yoni, the symbols of virility and fertility often found in Hindu and Buddhist temples. It is also surrounded by three smaller temples symbolizing the worship of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Candi Ijo, located 425 meters above sea level, is at a higher altitude than any other temple on Shiva Plateau. The location is called “Gumuk Ijo” as written in the Poh inscription dated the year 906.

From Candi Ijo, visitors can easily reach Tebing Breksi (Breksi cliff) tourist destination 850 meters away. 

Candi Ijo

Candi Barong and Candi Dawangsari

These two temples stand only 100 meters apart, with a narrow road in Candisari hamlet in between. Both were built during the Medang kingdom. Candi Barong is a Hindu temple while Dawangsari is a Buddhist temple.

An inscription at Ratu Boko indicates that Candi Barong was built by Sri Kumbaja and initially named Candi Sari Suragedug. The temple was later renamed Candi Barong because of the Makara relief carved on its main chamber, resembling the shape of barong (lion-like creature and character in Balinese mythology, dubbed the king of spirits).

Meanwhile, Candi Dawangsari – now in ruins and in the process of rebuilding - stands on higher ground than Candi Barong. A circular layout of stones at Candi Dawangsari forms the base of a sizeable stupa. There are smaller stupas at the sides of the temple, but most of them are in bad condition. 

Dawangsari Site

Candi Barong

Candi Banyunibo

A Buddhist temple built in approximately the ninth century, Banyunibo is located in Bokoharjo village, 2.1 kilometers from Ratu Boko Palace. The temple is nestled between rice fields and a residential area in the valley of Shiva Budha Plateau.

Banyunibo temple has a stupa on top of its main chamber, as well as another chamber measuring 6.8 by 4.5 meters with a kalamakara relief carved on its gate.

The main chamber is the only part of Banyunibo temple that has been renovated. The six perwara (small accompanying temples) have not been renovated as many of their stones are too weathered or broken.

Banyunibo temple is currently undergoing a facelift comprising the development of a garden, eateries and an open space that can be utilized for art and cultural performances.

Candi Banyunibo