Cangkuang
The temple estimated to be built in 8th century, judging from the condition of stone degradation and the simplicity of its ornament. The temple bears similarity with Gedong Songo Hindu temple in Central Java, thus experts estimated that the temple was also built in the same period, circa early 8th century. The temple structure measures 4.7 x 4.7 meters on its base and 6.82 meters tall, faces east with cella portal and stairs on east side.
About 3 meters south of this temple lies an ancient Islamic tomb. The temple is located next to ancient Islamic tomb of Embah Dalem Arief Muhammad or Maulana Ifdil Hanafi, an ulama believed to be the founder and ancestor of Cangkuang village. Unlike those of Central and East Java, the Hindu-Buddhist temple in West Java is quite scarce. This temple is one of the few Hindu-Buddhist temple ever built and discovered in West Java. The others are Batujaya Buddhist temples in Karawang and Bojongmenje temple in Rancaekek, Bandung.
Cangkuang village is located in mountainous region of Priangan, West Java, surrounded by four volcanoes; Mount Haruman, Mount Kaledong, Mount Mandalawangi and Mount Guntur. The temple was named after the village's name, and 'Cangkuang' itself is derived from Sundanese name for pandanus furcatus, a type of pandan that growing around the tomb of Embah Dalem Arief Muhammad, the elder and founder of Kampung Pulo. The dried leafs of Cangkuang plant can be weaved to make traditional cover or mattress. The Cangkuang cultural sanctuary is located on the island in the center of small lake. Originally the whole island was surrounded by this small lake, however today the water is receding only left northern side as a small lake, while the southern side was turned into rice paddies. To reach the temple from main road, visitors must cross the small lake by bamboo raft. Other than the temple and ancient Islamic tomb, the Cangkuang cultural sanctuary also including a traditional village of Kampung Pulo. The area formed elongated west-east island covers 16.5 hectares.In 1893, Vorderman a Dutch East Indies archaeologist reported in "Notulen Bataviaasch Genotschap" the discovery of a broken statue and an ancient tomb on the hill of Kampung Pulo, Leles. Based on this colonial era report, the temple was rediscovered in 1966 by an archaeology team led by Harsoyo and Uka Candrasasmita. The research discovered an ancient Islamic tomb, a statue of Shiva, and the base of stone structure estimated as the ruin of a Hindu temple. The ancient tomb was identified as the Islamic tomb of Arief Muhammad, believed to be the ancestor of locals. Other than temple ruins, the reasearchers also discovered fragments of knife and large stones estimated as the remnants of prehistoric megalithic culture. The archaeological research in 1967 and 1968 discovered the tomb remnants.
The discovery of an old Islamic tomb next to an ancient Hindu temple is quite unusual and aroused curiousity. During the early stage of its discovery the researcher found the ruin of a building made from andesite stone with Shiva statue sat on the center. The stone blocks are scattered around the tomb and locals used them as tomb stones. The subsequent archaeological digging reveals a stone structure foundation measures 4.5 x 4.5 meters and several stone blocks. The History and Archaeological authority conduct further research in the area until 1968. The temple reconstruction and restoration project conducted between 1974-1975, and finished in 1976 completed with a pavilion to store archaeological artifact founds in the area and around Garut Regency. During the reconstruction in 1974 some parts of temples foot were discovered.
To complete the temple reconstruction, the replacement stones were used. The problem in this temple reconstruction was there was only 40 percent of original stone blocks discovered, the rest were missing. Since most of temple stones are replacement ones, the reconstruction project was highly criticized by archaeology experts in central archaeological authority. Arguing that the reconstruction has went to far, since there was too few original stone rendering the full reconstruction impossible, and the current temple structure wasn't archaeologically correct thus cannot be justified.
Related Sites for Cangkuang
- Cangkuang Temple Tourism - Travel to Indonesia : Maps - Hotels … read Cangkuang
- Indonesia Heritage Culture Ancient Buildings Art : Cangkuang, … read Cangkuang
- Cangkuang Temple « Explore Indonesia read Cangkuang
