The largest ancient temple complex in Indonesia

Muaro  Jambi temple complex

If Cambodia has Angkor Wat, and there is Bagan in Myanmar, Indonesia also has a vast temple complex. The temple complex is Muaro Jambi, which is located on the banks of the River Batang Hari, Jambi Province.

What astonished the world with the existence of Angkor Wat. His name is known almost in every country, as a very beautiful temple complex and nuanced spiritual. Similarly, Bagan, a city in Myanmar is almost entirely covered by a collection of magnificent temples. But you know, Indonesia also had the same thing.

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Muaro Jambi temple complex is a relic of the Kingdom of Srivijaya, and the kingdom of Malay. As the name implies, this complex is located in District Muaro Sebo, Muaro Jambi regency. Its location right on the Batang Hari River, about 26 kilometers east of the city of Jambi.

In 1823, a British lieutenant named S.C. Crooke found this site. At that time, he was doing the mapping in Batang Hari River basin for military purposes. At that time the lieutenant did not realize, that he had found the largest temple complex in Indonesia.


The total area covers 260 acres, extending in the direction of flow of Batang Hari River. The complex has 61 temples. In the complex has also been found trenches and ponds, where the ancient people hold water. There are also 85 pieces of 'menapo', is, the temple ruins buried in the ground.

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Based on the official website of tourism in Indonesia, the complex is thought to originate from the 11th century BC. Buddhism is still a dominant feature here, although there are also some Hindu buildings. Interestingly, there are many ancient relics from various regions of the world such as China.


There is a bronze gong carved Chinese writing found on this site. Based on research, this gong was taken during the Song Dynasty, around the 11th century and the 12th century BC. There are also several statues of Hindu, Buddhist mantras are carved in gold paper, there are also goods made ​​of bronze studded with precious stones!

All findings indicated that bilateral relations between Indonesia with some royal dynasty China. In addition, there is also a small man-made mountain that local people are called Sengalo Hill or Silver Hill Temple.


That said, the site was once a complex of Buddhist education center. Tantric Buddhism is believed to be the religion of the majority, with the discovery of a carved slab of mantra 'wajra' in a temple. There are nine Buddhist temples that have been restored, the temple Kotomahligai, Kedaton, Building One, Building Two, Gumpung, Tinggi, Telago Rajo, Kembar Batu, and Astano Temple.

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Since mid-2007, restoration efforts and the development of some of the ruins of the temple 'menapo' work done. Since then, the site was used again as a venue for religious holidays. Vesak celebration which is a great day Buddhists also take place here. Celebrations in Muaro Jambi has been included in the national agenda in addition to Borobodur Temple, Central Java.

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