Candi Sambisari ( Sambisari Temple) - Maharishi Agastya

Temple Sambisari , a 9th – 10th Century Temple, is one of the magnificent legacy of the Hindu Era. According to Wanua Tengah inscription III dated 908 contains the name of  the Kings that ruled Mataram Kingdom, This temple was built in the 10th century around  812-838 AD  by the "Sailendra Dynasty" during the reign of "Rakai Garung".

Sambisari is located in Sambisari, Purwomartani Village, Kalasan, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta (Central Java)  Indonesia . It is about 8 km East of Yogyakarta near Adisucipto International Airport , Yogyakarta  or approximately 5 km to the west of Prambanan Temple.

This temple was accidentally discovered by a farmer in 1966 when he was digging the ground. When Archaeological Survey of Indonesia heard about this finding they began to cordon off the temple area. Their work was made more difficult by the fact that the Village road crossed the SITE and the base of the Temple lay burreied 6 meters below  from the present surface. One meter deep band of Volcanic ash , covered with oxidized sand was further burried in water - borne flood containing ash, sand, large stones and other eruption debris.  Mount Merapi volcano, an active volcano , is only about 18 kilometers away from Sambisari. This eruption could be happen at early 10th Century.Temple is expected to be burried by this eruption, since the Temple is dated to the end of 9th Century. Excavation continued with the reconstruction of the temple. Sambisari Temple  is the result of hard work of the Archaeologists Team for 21 years. The temple was originally like a Giant puzzle , reassembled piece by piece in order to sustain great cultural heritage of the past.  It took 21 years to reconstruct the temple. The discovery of Sambisari Temple probably is the most exciting Archaeological findings in Yogyakarta in recent years, leading to speculation whether there are still other Ancient Temples in the vicinity, buried under Mount Merapi volcanic ash. 

Temple Sambisari complex consists 4 stone buildings. The main building measures 13.65 x 13.65 meters and 7.5 meters high . In the front of main building, there are 3 small building known as "Perwara"Temple. Around the temple walls there are niches contains statues of Hindu gods adorned with Kala's head on top of it. In northern niche is found Durga statue, Ganesha statue in eastern niche, and Agastya statue in southern niche.  2 statues of  MahaKala and NandiSwara have been stolen in 1971.

Maharishi Agastya statue in Southern Niche

In 1976 some great Artifacts have been rediscovered , one of them is small Golden Inscription measured 2x1 cm. The inscription incised on it read as " Om Siwasthana" , means "Glory House for Lord Shiva". One bronze stature also found in the same year. This beautiful statue is identified as "Vajra Pani", one of Bodhisttva Deties. The re-construction efforts had started in 1966 and finished in the year 1986.

https://www.facebook.com/TheAryavart/photos/a.390090437679200.90800.389972804357630/919408524747386/?type=1&theater