Barong Temple, Hindu temple near Prambanan, Indonesia
Barong Temple is a Hindu shrine in Sleman featuring three ascending terraces connected by staircases and built with detailed stone masonry work. The structure displays architectural elements across multiple levels, creating a stepped design that rises progressively upward.
The shrine was built in the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty and displays the architectural evolution from pre-Hindu megalithic structures to classical temple design. This transition shows how different building styles merged over time as religious influences changed.
The temple takes its name from the carved kala head decorations set into its niches, which echo the mythological Barong figure from local beliefs. These ornaments shape how visitors experience the shrine and reveal how religious ideas were expressed through craftsmanship.
The shrine sits about 800 meters from the Ratu Boko compound and is accessible daily. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven ground, as the staircases between terraces can be steep.
This shrine stands apart from typical Central Javanese architecture by using stepped terraces known as punden berundak, which reflect pre-Hindu building methods. This feature reveals how older local construction techniques persisted in later religious structures.
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