Have you ever imagined feeling the cool mountain air while contemplating the traces of past glories?
Travelling to nature while learning history at Sirah Kencong is an interesting experience, where every step brings you closer to the stories of the kingdoms of the archipelago.
Located on the slopes of Mount Buthak, Sirah Kencong enchants with its mesmerising natural beauty.
Surrounded by lush green tea plantations, you'll be treated to stunning views along the way.
Explore the paths through the lush trees, listen to the gurgling water of the rushing river, and feel the cool breeze on your face.
However, Sirah Kencong's natural beauty is not the only thing that attracts attention.
Behind the trees and bushes, there are historical secrets waiting to be uncovered.
This temple, which was buried under the earth for centuries, is now a silent witness to past glories.
Every stone rubble, every carved relief, and every ancient ruin tells fascinating stories of civilisations gone by.
Brief History of Sirah Kencong Temple
Sirah Kencong Temple is located on the slopes of Mount Buthak, Ngadirenggo Village, Wlingi District, Blitar Regency.
Nama “Sirah Kencong” diambil dari perkebunan teh yang terletak di sana.
The temple was rediscovered in 1967 by plantation workers while planting quinine plants after being buried in the ground for several centuries.
According to reports by J. Knebel (ROC 1908) and N.J. Krom (1923), the site used to contain four Dwarapala statues with the kroso Saka 1389 (1467 AD), indicating that the temple was built during the Majapahit Kingdom.
However, the whereabouts of the four statues are now unknown.
This temple is thought to have a Shiva Hindu background combined with the worship of the Mountain God, this can be seen from the location, building style, and existing relics.
However, at present, the temple has not been fully restored due to the large number of stones found. Restoration efforts have only resulted in three stone buildings that are not intact.
Among the relics that can be seen are some reliefs on the temple buildings.
One of the reliefs is thought to depict the story of Bubhuksah and Gagang Aking, with a thin man facing off against a tiger.
Another relief is thought to be the story of Samodramantana, with a sculpture of a dragon snake supported by five people wearing cloth and holding swords. The last relief is thought to depict the story of Bimasuci, with three giants wearing coils like Bima figures with the sea in the background.
Efforts to Preserve Sirah Kencong Temple
The younger generation and visitors to Sirah Kencong plantation have an important role in preserving and appreciating the existence of Sirah Kencong Temple.
They play a role in disseminating information about the history and uniqueness of this temple through various social media and digital platforms.
By sharing stories and photos of their experiences visiting the temple, they are helping to raise awareness of the importance of preserving this cultural heritage.
In addition, the younger generation can also get involved in volunteering to clean and maintain the area around the temple.
Through active participation in restoration and conservation activities, they can ensure that Sirah Kencong Temple is preserved and can be enjoyed by future generations.
In addition to playing a role in the physical preservation of the temple, tourist visitors also make an important economic contribution to the local community.
With the increasing number of tourists visiting, there will be an impetus for the development of tourism infrastructure that can provide long-term economic benefits to the surrounding community.
Thus, the younger generation and visitors to the Sirah Kencong plantation play a key role in maintaining the existence and preservation of Sirah Kencong Temple as a valuable part of Indonesia's cultural heritage.
Dari perkebunan the Sirah Kencong yang mempesona, Blitar juga memiliki perkebunan coffee Karanganjar di Nglegok, di mana setiap sudutnya menyimpan misteri untuk diungkap.
Perkebunan coffee Karanganjar, bukan hanya sekadar ladang subur yang menghasilkan biji coffee berkualitas tinggi, tetapi juga merupakan tempat yang sarat akan sejarah.
Amongst the sprawling gardens, there are shrines, ancient sites and historical buildings that bear silent witness to a glorious past.
So, don't miss the chance to explore this mesmerising wonder of Blitar!
Home
IG
TikTok
Shopee
Chat