On top of Batur Agung Hill, southeast of the Ratu Boko Palace, a temple complex stands, where farmers worship Lord Vishnu and Dewi Sri.
The smiling of Kala barong decoration on each side of the temple is a characteristic that makes it interesting to visit.
The peak of the Hindu religious temple is slowly visible from behind the rows of trees inhabiting Batur Agung Hill when walking along the road to the southeast of the Ratu Boko Palace complex.
It disappeared for a moment, then it appeared again in its complete form. In Candisari Hamlet, Sambirejo, Prambanan, two “twin” temples stand on a large three-story courtyard. It’s Barong Temple, a place of worship of Lord Vishnu and Dewi Sri, who was none other than the goddess of fertility by the Hindu community who was farming at that time. They are so expecting the gift of fertility on the rocky karst hill.
According to history, the temple, which is thought to have been built between the 9th and 10th centuries, was actually named Suragedug Temple.
However, the Kala decoration (a creepy giant figure that usually decorates the gate or entrance of the temple) has the shape of a barong on each side of the temple building which is so distinctive that the local people prefer to call it Barong Temple.
Kala Barong in this temple in Hindu mythology is believed to be a guardian of the sanctity of the building. Instead of being creepy like the times in other buildings, these barongs seem to give their smiles.
Besides barong, another unique ornament that decorates this temple is Ghana, the dwarf giant who supports the temple niches.
Unlike the other temples in the vicinity which have chambers (rooms in the temple), Barong Temple was built without any rooms in it, only a niche that used to be used to place statues.
But unfortunately, no statues, phallus or yoni can be seen at this time. Lord Vishnu and Dewi Sri in the form of statues no longer live here. Overall, the building is simple, there are no reliefs of puppet stories or carvings of gods and goddesses here and there.
However, when you take the steps to the temple one by one, you will feel the remnants of the genius of the local people from the past. Its wide courtyard and is on a hill seems to provide a little gap for everyone who comes to enjoy the vast horizon.
The activities of the farmers around the temple while cultivating the fields and rice fields seem to explain the reason why this temple stands.
The temple is built facing west, the place where the sun ends the day. It didn’t take long to surround the entire building. But enjoying the scenery around him, might not be enough for a while.
As the afternoon gets, the view at the temple is getting more beautiful. The sun is getting friendlier and less stinging. The sound of the wind playing with the surrounding leaves is so melodious, soothing.
