CANDI SUKUH
Approached in ancient times from the plains by a long flight
of steps. To Sukuh, 910m above sea level, it’s above a 7km very steep walk, or
take andong,oplet or horse,Rp 50 entrance.The shape of Candi Sukuh with its
flight of steps leading to the upper part of the temple looks like the Maya
temples of Guatemala. Walk up three grassy pyramids until you come to the main
structure, a large flat unadorned powerfully carved stepped pyramid of
roughhewn stone. Sukuh’s narrow stairway leads into a dark inner chamber.
There are many phallic symbols; Sukuh is said to be the only
explicitly erotic temple in all of Java. On a stone floor at the top of the
steep stone tunnel a large realistic penis faces a lovingly sculpted, swollen
in excitement vagina carved in relief. The first representation of a kris in
Indonesian art is shown in one panel; Bima forging one with his bare hands
while using his knee as an anvil. These strongly carved figures are so
intriguing because they are done in the “ wayang –puppet style”.
There is a statue of Bima, plus carvings of crabs,lizards ,
tortoises , bats , panakawan clowns, nasty underworld creatures, decorated
tortoise statues and guardians holding their clubs in one hand and their penis
in the other. Pylons and obelisks nearby are decorated with the story of
Garuda. Sleep in the hut near the temple grounds.There’s also a kampong nearby
with excellent goats’ milk. On Sukuh’s mountain the last king of Majapahit,
Brawijaya , is said to be buried ; offering are placed on this site by the
Sultan of Yogya each year.
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