Sukuh Temple

Sukuh temple is located on the western slopes of the mountain Lawu, precisely Berjo village, Ngargoyoso, Karanganyar regency, Central Java. Location Sukuh mere altitude of 910 above sea level. Sukuh was found in a collapsed state in 1815 by Johnson, a Resident of Surakarta in the reign of Raffles. Then Sukuh was studied by Van der Vlis in 1842 and the results of the study are reported in a book titled Van der Vlis Prove Eener Beschrijten Soekoeh op en Tjeto. Research temple was followed by Hoepermans in 1864 until 1867 and reported in his book Hindoe Oudheiden van Java. Later in 1889, Verbeek held Sukuh inventory of the temple and continued with research by WF Stutterheim and Knebel in 1910.

Sukuh Hindu background and was probably built in the late 15th century AD. In contrast to the general Hindu temple in Central Java, the architecture of Sukuh slightly deviates from the provisions of the guidelines in the book manufacturing Hindu shrine, Wastu Widya. According to the rules, a temple should be laid out square base with the most holy place situated in the middle. Irregularities allegedly because Sukuh was built during the waning influence of Hinduism in Java. It seems to revive the local cultural elements of the Megalithic era. The effect can be seen from the prehistoric era building form which is Sukuh terraces. Such forms of temples like building pounded terraces that are characteristic of sacred buildings in the pre-Hindu. Another distinctive feature is the shrine of the pre-Hindu is the most holy place situated in very high on the backside.

Supposedly, experts, Sukuh was built for the purpose, which is deter bad forces that affect a person's life due to certain characteristics they have. The assumption is based on the reliefs containing re-care stories, such as Sudamala and Garudheya, and statues of turtles and eagle Sukuh contained in it.