The Oldest Temple In Indonesia, Some Are Almost 1000 Years Old

YOGYAKARTA - There are some oldest temples in Indonesia that are interesting to know as insight. The Indonesian people call the place of worship Confucian as a temple or temple.

The Chinese place of worship is built on average with a magnificent and impressive feel of Chinese architecture. In addition, the temples were even established during the kingdom of the archipelago and Dutch colonialism.

Below are the five oldest temples in Indonesia:

The temple, which is often referred to as Kelteng Welahan, is located in Weahan Village, Weahan District, Jepara City. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Indonesia which is estimated to have been established since 1600 AD and has the only heritage of Chinese heritage in the form of Sien Tjiang.

The age of Hian Thian Siang Tee until now is 430 years. There are five gods in this temple, namely Kongco Hian Thian Siang Tee, Kwan Tee Kun, Makco Kwan Im, Khonghucu, and Sang Buddha. This temple was built by two siblings, namely Tan Siang Hoe and Tan Siang Djie.

They built Kelteng Welahan as a form of gratitude to God for being given the gift of healing people. In addition, this place was also built to ask for protection when caring for people.

Until now, the Hian Thian Siang Tee Welahan Temple is still often used for religious activities and tourism, which are not only visited by Chinese residents, but by people from various regions in Indonesia.

Hok Tek Ceng Sin Temple was built in Jepara, since 1466 with the main building equipped with a very distinctive saddle roof with a Chinese style. The top of the roof is decorated with a statue depicting a pair of green dragons that are seen fighting for mustika. This temple is 557 years old.

Apart from being a dragon, you will see that in the front yard of the oldest temple in Indonesia there is a pair of Kilin lions or Ciok Say. The Kilin lion consists of 18 types of animals whose bodies resemble horses with snake and fish scales, crab-like eyes, shields like a tiger, beard and mouth like a lion, tail like a turtle, and feet like birds, buffalo, tigers and deer.

On each pillar in the Temple of Hok Tek Ceng Sin Jepara there is an animal painting depicting 12 Shio in the Chinese tradition, including Rats, Buffaloes, Tigers, Rabbits, Dragons, Snakes, Horses, Monkeys, Chickens, Dogs, and Pigs.

The Talang Temple is located in Cirebon City which has been established since 1450 AD. This temple has its own uniqueness compared to other pagodas in Cirebon, where there are no dragon ornaments on the roof and the building is facing the sea.

This temple age is 573 years old. The Talang Temple has a land area of about 400 square meters. For visitors who want to visit Kelteng Talang, they can enter through a wooden gate or saddle with an overturned ship-shaped roof.

Arriving in front of the temple, you will immediately see the pavilion. Next, entering the main room, there are statues of lions named Genta and Kilin made of Arkose sandstone.

There is also a carving of horse ornaments with flora and fauna motifs which are dominated by green areas and the main altar as places of worship.

One of the oldest temples in Indonesia was founded on Jalan Dukuh Number 23, Customs Cantian, Surabaya. This Hong Tiek Hian Temple has even been established since 1293, in other words, this temple is already the same age as the reign of the Majapahit Kingdom. The age of the Hong Tiek Hian Temple is currently 730 years old.

When viewed from across the street, this ancient kleteng architecture is very distinctive and impressive. When you enter the entrance to the temple, you will be greeted by two pagodas connected by a bridge with two dragons in the middle.

You will find an altar divided into two floors based on dewa who is praised, for example Dewi Kwan Im, Buddha, and other gods. As the oldest temple, Hong Tiek Hian is often visited by local or foreign tourists.

The Hong Tiek Hian Temple became very busy on the big days of Chinese citizens, for example the Chinese New Year and the puppet show Pho Tee Hi.

Kim Hin Kiong Temple is one of the oldest in East Java because it has been established since August 1, 1153, thus the age of this temple has reached 870 years. Kim Hin Kiong Temple was built by Chinese immigrants who traded to Gresik.

This temple is located in the middle of a thin area that now integrates with Arab villages. The shape of the building itself is not too big, which is dominated by red and yellow.

There are two statues of lions and typical Chinese ornaments on the front of the temple. At the top there is a Hiolo decorated with a dragon head.

The main space contains an altar for Buddhists who are used as a place of respect for Dewa Thian San Seng Boo. The right side of the temple is equipped with the Po Te Hi puppet stage for cultural events held at certain times.

Kim Hin Kiong's temple is also a witness to the community's tolerance in Gresik. Even though they are in the area where the majority of the population is Muslim, the temple congregation and local residents have had a high tolerance for a long time.

The Kim Hin Kiong Temple Building has now been designated as a cultural heritage building by the Surabaya City Government.

Such is the review of the oldest temple in Indonesia. Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.