Candi Sukuh

A. G. Maisey · 30th January 2016, 12:59 AM

Here is a link to four pages of photographs of Candi Sukuh in Central Jawa.

Keris people know Candi Sukuh for its stele depicting a forge, but Candi Sukuh is much more than that. It is one of the holiest places in Jawa and is closely connected to the cycle of life, death and rebirth, and of course to fertility.

If you are offended by Hindu-Javanese religious mores I suggest you do not access this page.

http://kerisattosanaji.com/CANDISUKUHPHOTOSPAGE1.html

Rick · 30th January 2016, 02:47 AM

Thank you Alan; I will never get there in person so this is much appreciated.
Lots to contemplate in the pictures you have put up.

David · 30th January 2016, 05:23 AM

Thanks Alan. As Leif pointed out on another thread, you are, as always, an amazing resource.

A. G. Maisey · 30th January 2016, 09:30 PM

Thanks gentlemen.

Rick · 1st February 2016, 12:40 AM

Question, Alan:
About the layout of the grounds and locations of the works themselves; when were they arranged?

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2016, 01:41 AM

We only have the one date Rick and that is in the form of a chronogram --- pictorial symbols for numbers --- the symbols that can be understood as: "gapura buta abara wong" this translates to the number 9531 which has to be read backwards to give the date of 1357 which is a Saka date, this is 1437CE.

The symbols are understood in terms of the Candra Sangkala, which provides the number relevant to the figure.

In English the symbols mean to "giant gate eat human" --- other translations are possible, but they all have the same sense.

So we can take the date of establishment at about 1437.

It seems that the place was known as a holy place before the temple was built, as there is a standing stone there that predates the temple.

Raffles visited when he was in Jogja and he found it to be in a mess.

I visited for the first time in either the late 1960's or early 1970's and it was in a bit of a mess then too, over the years it has been gradually tidied up. I don't know if the position that all the minor carvings are in now is where they were found or if they have been moved around.

The physical entry to Sukuh is in fact a big gate, so a person going into the Sukuh area is "eaten" by the gate, but the symbols carved in relief on the gateway say what is happening. Its a double meaning:- the physical entry equates to the date of establishment.

30th January 2016, 12:59 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,896	Candi Sukuh Here is a link to four pages of photographs of Candi Sukuh in Central Jawa. Keris people know Candi Sukuh for its stele depicting a forge, but Candi Sukuh is much more than that. It is one of the holiest places in Jawa and is closely connected to the cycle of life, death and rebirth, and of course to fertility. If you are offended by Hindu-Javanese religious mores I suggest you do not access this page. http://kerisattosanaji.com/CANDISUKUHPHOTOSPAGE1.html

30th January 2016, 02:47 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Thank you Alan; I will never get there in person so this is much appreciated. Lots to contemplate in the pictures you have put up.

30th January 2016, 05:23 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,126	Thanks Alan. As Leif pointed out on another thread, you are, as always, an amazing resource.

30th January 2016, 09:30 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,896	Thanks gentlemen.

1st February 2016, 12:40 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Question, Alan: About the layout of the grounds and locations of the works themselves; when were they arranged?

1st February 2016, 01:41 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,896	We only have the one date Rick and that is in the form of a chronogram --- pictorial symbols for numbers --- the symbols that can be understood as: "gapura buta abara wong" this translates to the number 9531 which has to be read backwards to give the date of 1357 which is a Saka date, this is 1437CE. The symbols are understood in terms of the Candra Sangkala, which provides the number relevant to the figure. In English the symbols mean to "giant gate eat human" --- other translations are possible, but they all have the same sense. So we can take the date of establishment at about 1437. It seems that the place was known as a holy place before the temple was built, as there is a standing stone there that predates the temple. Raffles visited when he was in Jogja and he found it to be in a mess. I visited for the first time in either the late 1960's or early 1970's and it was in a bit of a mess then too, over the years it has been gradually tidied up. I don't know if the position that all the minor carvings are in now is where they were found or if they have been moved around. The physical entry to Sukuh is in fact a big gate, so a person going into the Sukuh area is "eaten" by the gate, but the symbols carved in relief on the gateway say what is happening. Its a double meaning:- the physical entry equates to the date of establishment.