Ijo Temple

A. Overview

Ijo Temple is the name of a enshrinement complex located on Mount Ijo. The name of the temple was taken from the name of the location of a temple built by the local community called 'Gumuk Ijo' (Gumuk = hill). Ijo hill is the highest hills in the area of Prambanan District, Sleman District, with the highest peak of about 410 meters above sea level (asl). Location Ijo Temple itself was at an altitude of 357.402 m - 395.481 m above sea level. This location is the location of the highest temple than the other temples in Yogyakarta Province. So no wonder that among the lovers of old tourist, Ijo Temple also known as the 'Temple of the Highest' in Yogyakarta.

Ijo Temple complex in fact still in the hills with the other temples, such as Queen Boko Temple, Candi Barong, and Temple Banyunibo. These temples are in the limestone hills district of Prambanan. Ijo Temple itself is estimated to be built around the 9th century AD. From this temple area, if the tourists looked to the south, would seem steep valley terraced very good to see. Land in these hills are barren, but in the rainy season, plants shrubs and bushes surrounding hills seem. If the tourists looked to the west, will appear Adisutjipto International Airport is located on the edge of the hills west of Prambanan.

B. Privileges
Ijo Temple is the enshrinement complex consisting of 17 buildings and structures is divided into 11 terrace. The first terrace to terrace the eleventh is a longitudinal berundak terrace from west to east. This terrace structure is one form of acculturation of the Hindu culture with local cultures that appeared in the age structure of the megalithic shrines, namely punden berundak.

From the eleventh deck, patio or terrace highest final is the area considered most sacred, where there is a main temple with three temples perwara (accompanist). At present, the temple structure has been successfully restored was the main temple complex and the three temples perwara. While other building structures, from the first terrace to terrace tenth still in the process of identification and try to arrange the structure of the temple.

Tourists visiting the temple complex Ijo can enjoy the uniqueness of the temple as a place to worship Lord Shiva is the witness Linga-Yoni relics found in the temple. Linga-Yoni arrangement contained in the Ijo Temple has a large enough size and is one of the largest in the archipelago. According to Dra. Sri Sugiarti (Unit Head Candi Ijo), the large size of Linga-Yoni in this temple is a manifestation of the great worship of the god Shiva and goddess Parvati (wife of Siva). In addition to representing the god Shiva and goddess Parvati, Linga-Yoni also refers to the nature of men and women, so in this case it means the beginning of fertility and life. The cult of the phallus of Siva called phallus cult.
Linga-Yoni structure in this temple was quite unique. Commemorative stone circular cylinder standing on a cross-section (Yoni) shaped niche with a tip as the flow of water. Place the water flow is supported by a carved dragon's head and the shape of a turtle. According to Sri Sugiarti, probably before the worship of Lord Shiva is done by pouring water over the Linga to the Yoni inlet flow tip. The cult of water flow is then regarded as holy water.

Besides watching Linga-Yoni, tourists can also see several statues and reliefs contained in this Ijo Temple. One of them is the statue of Nandi (bull), which in Hindu mythology is considered as a vehicle of Siva. The other statues, such as Agastya statues, Ganesha, and Durga is the original decoration in the recesses of the temple is now stored in the Office Heritage Preservation Hall Purbakaa (BP3) Yogyakarta. While there are reliefs on Candi Ijo described the men and women who were floating. These reliefs represent Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati as a symbol to ward off evil spirits.

Another uniqueness can be seen in one of the foundations of the former temple carved directly from the rock limestone hill. In contrast to the temple structure is generally composed of andesite stones, one of the foundations of the temple in the temple complex instead Ijo use the rock as the foundation of the temple with carved way. Foundation of the rock can still be seen, while the body of the building can not be restored.
Another relic is worth two stone inscriptions found in the ruins of a temple on the eighth deck. The first inscription is an inscription with a meter-high size containing text saying 'Guywan' which by Soekarto read 'Bhuyutan' which means 'monastery'. When this inscription is kept in the National Museum Jakarta. The second inscription are smaller, about 14 cm high and 9 cm thick, which contains 16 fruit curse spell sentence repeated. Mantra reads 'Om sarwwawinasa, sarwwawinasa'. This inscription does not include the year, but the angle can be estimated paleografis from the 8th century until the 9th century CE. (Andrisijanti [ed.], 2003: 65).

C. Location
Ijo Temple Mount is located in Ijo, Sambirejo Village, Prambanan District, Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia.

D. Access
From the city of Yogyakarta, Ijo Temple is located about 28 kilometers to the east. Tourists who want to visit Candi Ijo can take the route to Prambanan using bus Trans-Jogja (size 1 A or 1 B) or using a taxi service. Prambanan of tourists heading south (to the right if you leave from Yogyakarta, or to the left if from the Solo) by using a motorcycle taxi or cab service. Candi Ijo directions to the highway that connects Yogyakarta-BIF. After traveling about 15 minutes, will appear the sign to the Ijo Temple. Follow the signs to reach the Ijo Temple complex located on the edge of the Mount Ijo ramp.

E. Ticket Prices
Tourists visiting the Temple Ijo enough to fill the guest book list free of charge. But the plan, the Office of Culture and Tourism Kab. Sleman will soon attract retribution for visitors.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities
Travelers who need the data or the history of the Ijo Temple can go Ijo Temple Guard Post. The officers in this temple will be happy to give an explanation of the discovery, the process of restoration, as well as the history of the existence of the temple. If need lodging or restaurant, tourists can get around Prambanan.
(Lukman Solihin/wm/52/04-09)

source: http://wisatamelayu.com/id/object/892/431/candi-ijo/?nav=geo