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It’s larger than Borobudur temple in Central Java and double larger than the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, no wonder the temple complex enshrinement Jambi Muaro as the area was called the largest temple in Southeast Asia.

Ancient temple, ancient urban planning in Jambi

Unfortunately, this area is like a grave humanitarian legacy of eternity because none of his form intact temple. Muaro Jambi temple complex is located about 35 kilometers north of Jambi, precisely in Muara Sebo, Muaro Jambi, Jambi Province. Said amazed sticking because of this vast complex enshrinement reached 2062 hectares. The ranging from land that has occupied Archeological Heritage Conservation Center of Jambi, people’s gardens, to the canals connecting between the temples. Temples are scattered among the uniqueness of this canal Muaro Jambi Temple Complex, which was found in the complex other enshrinement in the archipelago. Noted there are 11 major temples discovered and partially restored, among them Gumpung Temple, Temple Tinggi and Tinggi I, Gedong I and II, Kedaton, Koto Mahligai, Astano, Teluk I and II, Bukit Sengalo, and Kembar Batu. Stretch of the temple that’s not including the 82 estimated temple ruins still buried in the dirt a dozen, or so-called Menapo by residents around the temple.

The Canals Unsolved Mystery
Traces of the canals and ditches in Muaro Jambi temple architecture is the concept of ancient urban planning is amazing. 2-3 meter wide trench built around the temple and serve as a barrier, while the 6-10 meter wide canal created snaking cut temples which function as a transport route. The canal was to connect with Batanghari river. Jambi Conservation Center researchers believe, the main transportation to the temple at that time using the boat. This transportation system is like the canals in the city of Venice today. There are four channels which have been given a name, namely Canal Jambi, Malays, Suez, and the Dyke Johor. In addition to the canal, there’s Kelari Lake, a small lake connecting between canals.

The Legend Behind The Temple

There are interesting tales root among people living near the temple, the story of the failure of Datuk Paduka Raja built a temple idol skies overnight, which was asked by the Princess Pinang Masak. Because of annoyance, the king of the temple was kicked up scattered and form small temples. Briefly, the story is much like the legend of Bandung Bondowoso who failed to build a thousand temples for Roro Jonggrang, or Sangkuriang who did not succeed in making a boat and a lake for Dayang Sumbi.

After being pampered sense of wonder, irony emerges when looking at the red bricks that make up the temple was porous with age. The Black shade of green moss strong glue, brick crack that extends even into the temple decoration. Indeed, almost all of the temple consisted only of the basic building and body, while the top was nowhere to be tracked. Wall and gate that surrounded the temple was almost invisible scar, like a gate and wall around the temple Gumpung-discovered in 1820 and was renovated in 1982 to 1988, the only remaining part of the foundation until the waist-high calf adults.

Menapo Form Like A Mound
Currently, Muaro Jambi Temple Complex has yet to be explored using the boat, except Temple Teluk I and II, because it lies across the Batang Hari river. Traveling over some of the temple will pass a number that has been given Menapo red stakes. Menapo’s was located in durian and duku orchards, and the village’s brown. Menapo form is like a mound as high as 0.5 to 1 meter. Not only that, giant orchids, jambi tiger orchids called (Gramma top phyllum speciosum), looks exotic on the tree branches around Menapo. This temple had been buried until it was rediscovered by British soldiers, Crooke SC, in 1820. Unfortunately, once again, because the type of stone is brick, mostly found in the temple was intact condition. The restoration of the temple will be completed gradually and one by one. Since the 1970s until today, the restoration continues, namely the Temple Kedaton.

Conservation Center admit, until now not known how the design of the top of the temples in the Temple Complex Muaro Jambi. Undiscovered manuscripts made in writing how the temple, and even by whom. The temples such as Astono or Kedaton, who allegedly built more than one phase with a different period of built was not co-exist with the inscription evidence or historical records. This temple may still be related which is in Riau.