Candi Mendut (Temple), Java, Indonesia

4Dr_Igor_1971 5:00 PM Apr 3, 2013

While it is not as famous as Borobudur, it is worth a visit as one of the greatest Buddhist temples on ancient Java.
Candi Mendut is located about 3 km east of Borobudur, in the town of Muntilan in the Magelang District. Mendut is always mentioned together with two other nearby Buddhist temples: Pawon and Borobudur. Out of these three temples, Mendut is the oldest one. Candi Mendut was built by King Indra in 824 during the Sailendra dynasty – one of two mighty kingdoms in ancient Java. It was the same dynasty who built the famous Borobudur and many other Buddhist temples in the region. The main feature of Mendut is three great statues. The main statue depicts Sakyamuni, commonly known as Gautama Buddha or simply Buddha. The way Gautama Buddha is holding his hands is a very typical Buddhist gesture known as a “Mudra”. The one depicted in this statue is called the “Dharmacakra mudrā” – also known as “the turning of the Dharma Wheel.” This represents a central moment in the life of Buddha when he preached his first sermon after his Enlightenment, in Deer Park in Sarnath. On either side sits two Bodhisattvas – divinities who have been blessed with enlightenment. One of them, Avalokitesvara, is said to liberate devotees from the karma of speech while the other one, Vajrapani, liberates from the karma of thought. The Buddha statue itself is said to liberate its devotees from bodily karma. Candi Mendut is stacked with beautiful carvings and reliefs. Some of the more notable ones are the detailed fairy tales, known as “Jataka” tales. It is easy to find on the outer side of the balustrades leading up towards the temple entrance. There are four tales. One of them is about Brahmin and a crab, another one about Swans and turtles, the third one is about two friends, whose friendship gets destroyed by greed and the final story is about two parrots. While Mendut is not as famous as its bigger cousin, Borobudur, it is worth a visit as one of the greatest Buddhist temples on ancient Java. Entrance fee 3,500 IDR. There were a number of street vendors here, selling things like necklaces to knockoff Buddha statues and T-shirts. Some of them were rather pushing to buy, just like everywhere else in Indonesia. Take a look for souvenirs … bargaining seems to be better than in Malioboro district in Yogyakarta.

4LSAML KASKUS 5:00 PM Oct 10, 2012

Historic Visit on the Way to Borobudur Temple
Mendut temple is considered the oldest among the surrounding temples. Not far from here you can see the gigantic Borobudur temple. So when planning the visit, you better include Mendut temple in your trip to Borobudur. Its location is about 1 hours ride with car/cab from Yogyakarta. The transport from Yogyakarta normally costs you around Rp400K (US$45) - 500K (US$55), usually included in a tour-trip to the Borobudur temple for free, because you'll pass this temple on the way to Borobudur. WARNING: for the transport you better find the car/rental car from the hotel instead of cab, it will be safer and reliable. Entrance fee will cost you around Rp3,000 (US$0.6) per person. A visit may took around 30 - 60 minutes. The Buddhist's "Waisak" ceremony normally starts from this temple, and then ended at Borobudur temple. In front of Mendut temple there is a vihara/temple where you can see a statue of Sleeping Buddha. Mendut temple is placed in the middle of a large park with a huge banyan tree on one of its corners. Banyan tree symbolize the life and has a deep meaning in Buddhist teaching. Inside the temple there are three (remaining) huge statues. The main focus is the central statue, a 3-meters Buddha statue. (check the pictures).