Ciaruteun inscription, Stone inscription in Cibungbulang, Indonesia.
The Ciaruteun inscription is a historical stone marker in Cibungbulang near Bogor, resting on a natural boulder at the confluence of three rivers. The stone measures roughly 200 centimeters (79 inches) in length and 150 centimeters (59 inches) in width, bearing ancient characters carved into its surface.
The inscription dates from the 5th century and documents the reign of King Purnawarman in the Tarumanagara kingdom. This early Hindu ruler left several inscribed stones across West Java that testify to his power and faith.
The Sanskrit text appears in four lines on the stone and follows the Anustubh meter, a traditional metrical form from classical Indian literature. Carved footprints and shell-shaped characters at the end of the inscription show the influence of Hindu symbolism in the region.
The site is located roughly 19 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of central Bogor and can be reached via local roads. Replicas of the inscription can be viewed at the National Museum of Indonesia and the Jakarta History Museum if the original location proves difficult to access.
A protective shelter built in 1981 preserves the eight-tonne stone, which was displaced during an 1893 flood. Restoration work later returned the inscription to its current location, where it now remains accessible to visitors.
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