Cetha Brow

As a matter of actuality, Cetha Temple falls outside the class of temples in East Java since it is situated in Cetha Hamlet, Gumeng Village, Jenawi Subdistrict, Karanganyar Regency, Main Java Province. From historical standpoint, however, the temple is closely related to Majapahit Empire. Therefore, in this amazing site, the temple is in identical category as temples in Eastern Java.

Cetha Temple is one of the temples built during Majapahit time, when Brawijaya V ruled the particular empire. Legend has it the name Cetha, a Javanese word actually clear, was labeled to the hamlet that temple was built, since one could have a clear view when taking a look at all directions. Facing north, one could see clearly Karanganyar and Solo in the foreground while Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi in the background. Still, one could see the peak of Mount Sumbing additional behind. One would see amazingly beautiful hills when facing western side or east. Meanwhile, one would see Lawu Mountain along with the mountain range.


Cetha Temple compound was discovered by Van der Vlis within 1842. Many archeologists, W. Y. Sutterheim, K. C. Crucq, D. j. Krom, A. J. Bernet Kempers, and also Riboet Darmosoetopo, paid their awareness of this temple. In 1928, the Archeological Agency chose to conduct a research by searching for more complete reconstruction data. The prevailing buildings, including the wooden halls, include the results of an attempt for you to renovate the temple done from the end of 1970s. It is a shame that the restoration, as well as, to be more precise, restructuring, was conducted carelessly regardless the archeological facet of the site.



As the result, the originality of the site is scientifically involved. The inscription found at the temple compound reveals the temple was erected between 1451-1470, a time in which Majapahit Empire almost found its end. Cetha Temple is a Hindu temple created to purify and save the empire from chaotic situation at that time. The fact that the temple is a Hindu one is very exciting as Majapahit kings were Buddhist. It really is believed that Majapahit experienced the particular worst chaotic situation that happened besides in social, political, and cultural facets of life, but also in faith based matters. The empire then ended up being everything but order, until this totally collapsed in 1478.


Temple Cetha is several grouped buildings built on layered terraces. Each terrace is associated with an entrance and a passageway that runs upwards from your lowest terrace to the greatest one, slicing the terraces into two sides. The main design, built without walls, lies in the rearmost and highest spot inside the compound, facing the mountain top. This signifies the then concept the sanctity of the temple is inseparable from your surrounding nature.



The design of Cetha Temple will depend on the notion that gods’ abode is within the mountain peaks, instead of within heaven. Thus, mountains are the original source of both visible and cannot be seen energies. The design of Cetha Brow was clearly against the mainstream at that time, which placed the foremost space as center of activities. Panataran Temple in Blitar, even so, adopted the same concept.


You will find three statues lying before the particular temple gate. They are Nyai Gemang Arum figurine, which is placed in front on the gate, and Nyai Agni figurines, which flank a set of steps ultimately causing a yard.




There is a structure without walls situated within the left, further into the chemical substance. The structure sits on some sort of two-meter-high foundation. Inside the design, there is a heap of stones arranged as an altar on which offerings were being placed. Across the yard, you will find there's stone gate with stairs flanked simply by Nyai Agni statues.


The stairs result in a yard on the up coming terrace. This second terrace makes the temple also called ‘lanang’ (male) Temple. Laid within the lower platform is a pile of stones arranged to resemble a flying Garuda which has a turtle on its back.

With Garuda’s forehead, there are images of your shining sun, an isosceles triangle along with a Kalacakra (a male genital). There are two other images of suns towards the end of Garuda’s wing.


The Garuda, some sort of mythical bird on whose back again Vishnu usually rides, represents the aforementioned world, while the turtle, one of the incarnations of Vishnu, symbolizes the particular underworld. A turtle is considered to possess magnificent magical power that permits it to submerge into the particular ocean to fetch ‘tirta amerta’ (water regarding life). That there is a Kalacakra (symbol of male genital organ) within the platform leads people to make reference to the temple as a 'lanang' (male) temple.

The image of a sun with seven rays signifies direct sunlight as the source of lifestyle. The isosceles triangle symbolizes the guidance just to save the world from sinking into the ocean of darkness. Pictured down the middle of the triangle is a circle during which there are three frogs experiencing different directions.

There is a picture of a lizard in every triangle. On the median in which divides the east side, there exists an image of a crowned eel. You will find there's picture of a female crab within the south side and a mimi (male sea crab) within the north side. The whole design implies a cure for both land and human fertilities. The triangle with an picture of a male genital in addition to it signifies the union regarding male and female, the a couple different sexes with different characteristics, yet inseparable from each various other. At the same time, furthermore, it symbolizes the microcosmic world within individual.

Near a flight of steps leading the hall, to the particular left and right, there are generally remains of chambers. Inside the particular chambers, there is a rectangular stone construction lying across by north to south. Etched within the walls of the stone design, there are images of men and women and animals.


It is believed the relief sculpture depicts an excerpt by Sudamala verses. The relief figurine supports the suggestion that Cetha Brow was constructed mainly for refinement purpose.

On the next platform more than the previous one, there are two statues regarding Bima guarding a flight of stone stairs ultimately causing a hall. There are roofed buildings without walls situated left and right of the steps. In these buildings, according to the temple caretaker, visitors to the particular King Brawijaya were admitted.

Taking the stairs into the hall, one will see some sort of statue of Kalacakra, two statues of Ganesha along with a stone partition with an opening leading to the inner hall. Into the inner hall, there is an ascending passage right praying chamber on a larger platform.
At the door into the chamber, there are two gemstone sculptures bearing Javanese writing. At the back of the chamber, on a larger platform, there are storerooms to hold ancient items.




The storerooms are situated in the two sides of the temple. Across from the storerooms, you will find there's chamber other chambers where historical items are kept.
At top of the end of the passageway, you will find there's stone wall, 1. 6 meters tall, which separates the passage from your main chamber. The chamber, a stone construction with no roof, is King Brawijaya’s accommodations. The walls are two meters tall and the room is five m2 wide. From the lodging, perched on a higher place than other whole building, all rooms below it are clearly visible.



Empu Supa is an outstanding kris maker who gained many respect during his lifetime. At the back of the chamber, there is a stone wall which has a gate that leads to some sort of narrow ascending passageway.



At top of the end of the passageway, you will find there's stone wall, 1. 6 meters tall, which separates the passage from your main chamber. The chamber, a stone construction with no roof, is King Brawijaya’s accommodations. The walls are two meters tall and the room is five m2 wide. From the lodging, perched on a higher place than other whole building, all rooms below it are clearly visible.


Situated at the back of the temple precinct, at a larger ground, there is a royal bathing place where the king’s concubines, along using maids, bathed. However, the pool is in a poor condition now the way it lacks maintenance. Meanwhile, unlike the particular bathing place, the temple itself undergoes cleaning one or more times a year.


Cetha Temple remains functioning as a worshipping place and Indonesian Hindus frequent the particular temple on Tuesdays and Fridays and within the New Year eve of Islamic work schedule (1 Sura). A celebration of Wuku Medangsia is held in the temple every six months. Independent of the Indonesian Hindus, many people, man or woman, visit the temple. Especially intended for female visitors, they are advised to wear trousers rather than skirts. It is argued that the particular custom has its roots in the belief that Cetha Temple is a men's temple where items depicting some sort of male genital are found everywhere in the compound.



Cetha Temple is closely linked to an adjacent temple, Sukuh Brow. The latter, which lies on a lower ground when compared with the former one, was produced in AD 1440.