Kala Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) , An Integral part of Indonesian Culture

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a creature in Hindu mythology.It is generally described by a combination of two animals (in front of intangible animals such as elephants or crocodiles or deer, or elk) and at the back of the animal described as the water at the tail of a fish or a dragon.

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Relief of Kala Makara at the back of Ganesha Statue , Salatiga  , Central Java , Indonesia

 Relief of Makara at Candi Arjuna,  Dieng Plateau , Central Java , Indonesia

 Relief of Makara at Candi Sambisari, Yogyakarta , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara is a vehicle (vehicle) of Goddess Gangaगंगा  and Varunaवरुण  God. It is also a symbol of the God Kamadevaकामदेव . Kamadeva also known as Makaradhvajaमकरध्वज  (a flag that makara pictured). Capricorn is the zodiac Capricorn, one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. It is often described to protect the entrance to the Hindu and Buddhist temples.

  Makara at the Gate of Infantry Battalion  , Salatiga , Central Java , Indonesia

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara is often portrayed and carved in the temples in Indonesia, especially in Bali and Java. The Balinese call Gajahmina, which literally means "elephant fish". Makara is sometimes described as being intangible half goat and half fish as symbols of the zodiac Capricornus. In the scriptures of the Hindus, Makara is a creature that became the vehicle of Lord Varunaवरुण and Goddess Gangaगंगा.

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara is also used as a symbol of the University of Indonesia.

(Text adapted from WIKIPEDIA).

Kala Makara (मकर) as a Symbol of University of Indonesia

Universitas Indonesia (UI) is a State University in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia is the oldest Tertiary-level Educational Institution in Indonesia (known as the Dutch East Indies when UI was established). 

I am fascinated by its Logo which features Kala - Makara (मकर) .

The logo is the Kala-Makara  (मकर) , a symbol of the two sources of energy in Nature. Kala is the energy from above (the power of the sun), while makara represents the energy from below (the pUniversity of Indonesia as the source of knowledge is symbolized by the water flowing from the head of Kala Makara.ower of the Earth). The two powers are combined and stylized into a symbol that represents the function of Universitas Indonesia as a source of knowledge.

The logo of Universitas Indonesia Makara carries  following interpretation:

The Logo symbolizes a Beringin Tree (Banyan Tree) (बरगद का पेड़) with water fountain and the Head of Kala Makara  (Mythological Creature in Indonesia) surrounded by a Pentagon.The symbol has the following meanings :

University of Indonesia as the center of the Nation's culture is symbolized by the shell of wisdom which accept the flowing water from the head of Kala Makara Logo.

University of Indonesia with its knowledge and culture is dedicated for the happiness and prosperity of Indonesia and for all mankind. This meaning is symbolized by a Beringin Tree with Eight Branch and seventeen leaves (17-8, Indonesia's Independence Day). Beringin Tree (Banayan Tree) is chosen, because it is known to have long lifetime and it can give protection for those who might need it. 

The earliest form of the Logo of Universitas Indonesia was created in 1952 by Sumaxtono (born as Sumartono), a student from 1951 Art Department , Faculty of Engineering which was at the time known as Fakulteit Teknik Universiteit Indonesia , located in Bandung.

Universitas Indonesia is generally considered as the Most Prestigious Public University in Indonesia, along with Bandung Institute of Technology and Gadjah Mada University.