Majapahit. East Java.
A water temple, 14th century, in typical Majapahit brick masonry. In medieval Javanese Hindu-Buddhist practices for spiritual purification and meditation. It was very similar to those water temples still used in Bali today.
When it was discovered, archaeologists dug up a large rat nest - probably attracted by the water there - giving it the name "Candi Tikus", or "Rat Temple".
Majapahit was once the sophisticated capital of a large Javanese Hindu-Buddhist Empire, roughly between 1300-1500. During its Golden Years, under the prime minister of Gaja Madah, it stretched from Thailand in the West to Papua in the East. It finally collapsed due to internal struggles and Islamisation by the late 15th century.
Majapahit. East Java.
A water temple, 14th century, in typical Majapahit brick masonry. In medieval Javanese Hindu-Buddhist practices for spiritual purification and meditation. It was very similar to those water temples still used in Bali today.
When it was discovered, archaeologists dug up a large rat nest - probably attracted by the water there - giving it the name "Candi Tikus", or "Rat Temple".
Majapahit was once the sophisticated capital of a large Javanese Hindu-Buddhist Empire, roughly between 1300-1500. During its Golden Years, under the prime minister of Gaja Madah, it stretched from Thailand in the West to Papua in the East. It finally collapsed due to internal struggles and Islamisation by the late 15th century.