Plumbangan Temple is located in Plumbangan Village, Doko Subdistrict, Kesamben, Blitar, quite far from the road linking Malang-Blitar and in the middle of housing complex. There is little information about this ancient building, except that it was built during the ruling of Majapahit Empire.



The all-andesite-stone building is in the shape of gapura paduraksa (roofed-gateway), similar in shape to Bajang Ratu Temple in Trowulan. Considering its shape, Plumbangan is a purification ritual temple, like Bajang Ratu Temple. The shape of a gapura signifies a 'release' or a mountain, which in Shiva belief is a place where gods reside. However, the function of this building is still a matter of arguments among scholars. Some argue that gapura is a boundary marker of an area or building compound.

Gapura Plumbangan heads towards the east and west, with 2 meter-wide “wings” to the north and south. Unlike the relatively high bases of Wringin Lawang and Bajang Ratu, Plumbangan’s base is only 0.5 m high with 2 stairs on both sides. The structure is also only 0.5 m thick. There are no engravings or decorations of any kind on this building, both on its outer and inner walls. The roof is in layered mountain arrangement with square top.

Around 6 meters from the gapura to the southeast is a sculptured stone called Sculptured stone Plumbangan. Cemented pad and zinc roof have been made for this sculptured stone. It is uncertain whether the sculptured stone has been in its original position. The inscriptions on the sculptured stone are very thin, virtually unreadable. No information is available about the sculptured stone.


It seems that this ancient building has not been fully restored. Stones in various arrangements Stone arrangements around the court are still unknown of their function as well as original arrangements.

Many of the stones have holes on them, and some, although already damaged, take the shape of yoni.