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| Between
Surabaya and Malang is the town of Singosari where remnants of the
early 13th century Singosari Kingdom include a temple and two gigantic
statues of guardians to what many believed to be the main gateway to
the capital of the kingdom. Jago Temple dates back to 1268, and is one
of the most attractive temples in East Java. Scenes from folktales as
well as from the Mahabarata epic decorate the side panels. Kidal Temple, not far from Jago Temple, was completed in 1260 to honour one of the kings, and is a gem of Singosari Temple art. Located 120 km south west of Malang and 11 km north of Blitar, is Penataran Temple in the Singosari - Majapahit Temple complex, dating from the mid-fourteenth century. Its structures are laid on a large and vast field. The temple terraces are decorated with Ramayana-base reliefs. The main temple is well preserved. Blitar is also home to the tomb of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno. It’s a fairly impressive site. |