Cadi Penataran - one of the largest Hindu temples ruins in East Java, Indonesia. (Temple Story)

Ancient legends say that this temple was likely constructed in the 12th to 15th century AD. Its importance can be witnessed further by the visits paid to it by King Hayam Wuruk of Majapahit Kingdom, as mentioned in the "Nagarakertagama." Map of Majapahit Kingdom at its peak:-

The "Nagarakretagama" is an Old Javanese eulogy to Hayam Wuruk, the Javanese king of the Majapahit Empire, which is the last Indianized empire of Java btw. It was written on lontar as a kakawin (basically palm-leaf manuscript) by Mpu Prapanca in 1365 AD. The Nagarakretagama contains detailed descriptions of the Majapahit Empire during its greatest extent. The poem affirms the importance of Hindu–Buddhism in the Majapahit empire by describing temples, palaces, and several ceremonial observances. So, back to the Temple itself:-

Candi Panataran is a Shiva (Siwa) temple as mentioned previously. It is notable for including one of the largest Indonesian collection of reliefs showing life stories of Hindu god Vishnu (Wisnu) in a different avatar. The temple site also includes the Rama story in the Javanese version of the epic Ramayana, as well Krishna's story as depicted in Triguna's Krishnayana epic poem. Scene of Ramayana as carved in Candi Penataran Temple, Indonesia.

This scene depicts the duel between Vali and Sugriva. Vali clearly overpowered Sugriva. Sugriva is wearing a distinct 'Mala' to be distinguished from Vali. The main temple of the Penataran actually took the form of a stepped pyramid:-

This beautiful temple was also added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 19, 1995, in the Cultural category. The site is being considered to be put on the World Heritage list of sites that have "outstanding universal value" to the world. This temple was identified in Nagarakretagama as Palah temple and reported being visited by King Hayam Wuruk during his royal tour across East Java.

All in all, another truly wonderful glimpse of the glorious Indianized Hindu empires of the 12th - 15th century!