Asu Temple: Founder, Relief, Myth, Origin and Function

Asu Temple is one of the historical relics of the enshrinement in Magelang regency. This temple is also known to the public as the temple asu sengi. In the discussion this time, we will review about asu temple from founder, inventor, relief, myth, origin and function. Okey immediately we see the discussion about the temple below.

Asu Temple is a relic of Ancient Mataram Kingdom or Mataram Hindu Buddha. The location of this temple is located in Magelang regency, precisely in the village of Sengi Duku District. From that location, the distance of the temple from Borobudur temple is about 25 Km. This temple also has a strategic location that is located on the slopes of Mount Merapi and also beside Tlingsing Pabelan.

Founder of Asu Temple

The founder of Asu Temple is Rakai Kayuwangi, he is the king of the ancient Mataram kingdom of the Sanjaya dynasty. This is evidenced from several inscriptions that were found around the temple asu. The inscriptions include the Kurambitan inscription, Sri Manggala I and II, some of the inscriptions listed the number of years 874-869 AD where Rakai Kayuwangi when it came to power. In addition to the number of years, the inscriptions also mention the function of the temple asu as a holy place to worship. Worship is done to ancestral spirits, gods and kings.

Asu temple has a unique relief, namely there are reliefs of flora on 4 sides of the temple wall and bird relief decoration that surrounds the temple wall. Relief of kinara-kinari birds in the temple is also found in other temples relics of Ancient Mataram Kingdom like Plaosan Temple, Ijo Temple and Ratu Boko Temple. Asu temple is a temple that is not perfect, this is because part of the roof of the temple is lost some where. The temple stands facing towards the west and is square and has a size of 7.94 x 7.94 meters.

Asu temple has an uncertain height, this is because there is no roof from the temple section. The foot of the temple is 2.5 m, while the height of the body is 3.35 m. Inside the temple there is a cow statue and there is also a box-shaped well that has a depth of 3 m with a width of 1.3 x 13 m. Although the former water debit level from the well contained within the Asu Temple is still visible, but it is not yet known exactly about the function of the well because there is no evidence obtained.

The Origins and Myths of Asu Temples

The origin of the name Asu Temple was made or given the name by the surrounding community at the time the temple was first discovered. Asu temple name is given because at the time of found there is a statue that has a damaged form and resembles Asu (Dog). From it then call the cadi as Asu temple.