Along the Muaro Jambi Temple Historical Site

Muaro Jambi Temple is the widest Hindu-Buddhist religious complex in Southeast Asia, with an area of 3981 hectares. which is most likely a relic of the Kingdom of Srivijaya and the Malay Kingdom.

The temple complex is located in Maro Sebo Subdistrict, Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi, Indonesia, precisely at the edge of Batang Hari, about 26 kilometers east of Jambi City. South Coordinate 01 * 28'3 "East 103 * 40'04".

The temple is estimated to date from the 7th - 12th century AD and is the largest and most well-preserved temple complex on the island of Sumatra. And since 2009 the Muaro Jambi Temple Complex has been nominated to UNESCO to become a World Heritage Site.

The Muaro Jambi bathing complex was first reported in 1824 by a British lieutenant named S.C. Crooke who mapped watersheds for military purposes. A serious new restoration was carried out in 1975, by the Government of Indonesia led by R. Soekmono.

Based on the ancient Javanese script, on several plates which were found, the epigraphic expert Boechari concluded that the relic dates from the 7th-12th century AD. On this site only nine buildings have been restored, and all of them are Buddhism. The nine temples are Kotomahligai Temple, Kedaton, Gedong Satu, Gedong Dua, Gumpung, Tinggi, Telago Rajo, Twin Stone, and Astano Temple.

The Muaro Jambi bathing complex is located on the ancient natural embankment of the Batanghari River. This site has an area of 12 square kilometers, a length of more than 7 kilometers and an area of 260 hectares stretching in the direction of the river path. This site contains 110 temples, most of which are still in the form of mounds of land (menapo) that have not been peeled (occupied). In this temple complex there are also several buildings that influence Hinduism.

Inside the complex there are not only temples but also ancient man-made trenches or canals, water reservoirs and earth mounds inside ancient brick structures. In this complex there are at least 85 menapo pieces which are currently still owned by local residents.

In addition to the buildings, in the complex also found statues prajnaparamita, dwarapala, Gajahsimha, stone stone, mortar / mortar stone. Bronze gongs with Chinese writing, Buddhist spells written on gold paper, foreign ceramics, pottery, large bronze pots, Chinese currency, beads, bricks inscribed, pictured and marked, fragments of broken stone statues, precious stones and fragments iron and bronze.

In addition to the temple in the complex also found mounds of land (small mountains) which are also man-made. By the local community the small mountain is called Bukit Sengalo or Bukit Perak Temple.

Last day I and my friend happened to have the opportunity to visit the location. Initially this was driven by curiosity to see the temple complex. Obviously while we were in Jambi to attend an event. It turns out to be true, if the location of this historical site is now starting to be visited by tourists.

The location is quite shady and beautiful, but we will feel tired if you have to walk around, because of the vast area of the temple complex. The manager also provides bicycles for travelers to get around the complex. But surely walking around the temple while walking and taking photos will feel more exciting. [august]

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