Introduction Karmavibhanga Jatakamala Avadana Lalitavistara Gandavyuha Bhadracari The Summit
Early History of Java Buddhist Art in Java Architecture Mantrayana Angkor Journey The Silk Road Asian Art Prambanan
Mendut Articles: Before the Restoration Post Restoration Bodhisattvas Panchatantra Pathway Astronomy Candi Plaosan
Photo Galleries: Candi Asu Candi Banyunibo C. Kalasan C. Ngawen Candi Pawon Candi Sari Candi Sewu
Candi Ijo Candi Kedulan Prambanan Candi Sambisari Candi Sukuh Museum Art Ratu Boko

Candi Ijo

Candi Ijo is located on the southern side of the Ratu Boko historical park  and on the western side of modern Yogyakarta.. Constructed during the late 9th century toward the end of Central Java's Classic Age, the main shrine at Candi Ijo faces the cardinal direction west. Moreover, the entire site is located on the western side of a hill. One notable feature of the temple is its layout, which features a main structure (photo right) fronted by three smaller buildings that were probably dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.   Additional ruins are located further down the western slope of the hill that have not been reconstructed.

 The main shrine at Candi Ijo viewed from the southwest corner.

The entranceway to the main shrine is notable for the double kala head motif above the portal. The antefixes featuring the head and upper torso of a deities are also found at Buddhist temples such as Ngawen, Plaosan and Sari.

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   Candi Ijo, entranceway to the main shrine.   The entranceway is notable for its double kala head motif above the portal.

One of the image niches on the exterior of the main shrine (immediate right). The makara heads on the staircase banisters have small parrots in their mouths (far right).

One of the image niches on the exterior of the main shrine.         The makara heads on the staircase banisters have small parrots in their mouths.

          Kala head theme at the top of the staircase banisters. 

Inside the main shrine there are singular niches on the walls in the North, South, and East; to either side of each niche is a male/female pair of offering deities that fly in the direction of each niche. At the center of the shrine is an ornately carved yoni platform that combines the images of a serpent and a turtle, symbolizing the foundation of the world, according to the ancient cosmological views of Southern Asia. Therefore the center of the temple was the axis of the world, symbolized by the lingam   that originally had been present at the center of the yoni platform. The lingam, now missing, symbolized the indivisible unity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; it is also likely that images of these three deities had originally been installed in the temple's interior niches.

   Looking out from the interior of the main shrine.   Inside the main shrine are singular niches on the N, S, and E walls; To either side of each niche is a male/female pair of offering deities that fly in the direction of each niche.

  One of the three subsidiary shrines that open to the East at Candi Ijo.         A false window on the exterior of one of the three subsidiary shrines.  
       A false window on the exterior of one of the three subsidiary shrines.          One of the three subsidiary shrines that open to the East at Candi Ijo.

Inside one of the three subsidiary shrines at Candi Ijo is a pit where fire (homa) sacrifices were probably performed. Note the openings in the false window for allowing the smoke to disperse. On Java, fire was associated with the Hindu god Brahma. The overall layout of the site, together with the fire attributes of this subsidiary shrine, strongly suggest that the three building facing the East had originally been dedicated to the Hindu trimutri of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

 Inside one of the three subsidiary shrines at Candi Ijo is a pit where fire (homa) sacrifices were probably performed. Note the openings in the false window for allowing the smoke to disperse.          Ijo_Fig_13.jpg (371009 bytes)

Further down the western slope are the ruins of additional shrines.

            Further down the western slope are the ruins of additional shrines.           

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