Candi Sukuh

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.

Tatyana Dianova · 1st February 2016, 08:27 AM

Very interesting! Thank you a lot!

rasdan · 1st February 2016, 12:08 PM

Thank you very much for the photos Alan. I really appreciate it.

You mentioned a standing stone that predates the candi. Is it the lingga carving with the keris image on it?

Bjorn · 1st February 2016, 12:58 PM

I've been wanting to learn more about the Candra Sangkala but haven't come across a good source. Can anyone recommend a good publication?

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2016, 09:10 PM

Rasdan:- no, it is a plain lingga, not one of the highly carved works

Yuuzan;- the most accessible source for the Candra Sangkala is Raffles "History of Java"

30th January 2016, 09:30 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Thanks gentlemen.

1st February 2016, 12:40 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Question, Alan: About the layout of the grounds and locations of the works themselves; when were they arranged?

1st February 2016, 01:41 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	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.

1st February 2016, 08:27 AM	#4
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 743	Very interesting! Thank you a lot!

1st February 2016, 12:08 PM	#5
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 369	Thank you very much for the photos Alan. I really appreciate it. You mentioned a standing stone that predates the candi. Is it the lingga carving with the keris image on it?

1st February 2016, 12:58 PM	#6
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	I've been wanting to learn more about the Candra Sangkala but haven't come across a good source. Can anyone recommend a good publication?

1st February 2016, 09:10 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Rasdan:- no, it is a plain lingga, not one of the highly carved works Yuuzan;- the most accessible source for the Candra Sangkala is Raffles "History of Java"