Kedulan Temple: A Hidden Heritage of Mataram Hindu Kingdom

RRI.CO.ID, Sleman – Kedulan Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kalasan Kapanewon (District), Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. It is one of the temples situated below ground level.

The temple is estimated to have been built in the 8th or 9th century during the era of the ancient Hindu kingdom of Mataram. It was used as a place of worship, particularly for the worship of Shiva.

Kedulan Temple was first discovered on September 24, 1993, by sand miners. At the time, it was buried under layers of soil and volcanic material deposited by eruptions of Mount Merapi over the course of centuries. Excavation and restoration efforts were carried out from 1993 to 2018.

The temple complex consists of a main temple and three smaller temples on the eastern side. The main temple faces east and appears to have once been protected by a roofed structure known as a cungkup.

The main Kedulan Temple is made of andesite stone on the exterior and tuff stone on the interior. The structure features a chamber containing a lingga-yoni and niches that once housed statues of Hindu deities such as Agastya, Ganesha, and Durga.

Meanwhile, the three smaller temples are made of andesite stone, face west, and are known respectively as the northern, central, and southern perwara temples. Inside these temples are lingga-yoni, hearths used for religious ceremonies, and statues of Nandi, the mount of the god Shiva.

In 2023, all parts of Kedulan Temple were officially designated as cultural heritage. Like other temples, visitors can enter and enjoy the unique features found within the temple complex.