Candi Kalasan

Central Java, Indonesia

Candi Kalasan is located in the area of Prambanan, a few km NE of Yogyakarta. The temple is dated by inscription to 778 AD, and is dedicated to Tara. It is only partially restored, but is notable for some fine remaining carvings.

The current view of the temple grounds is quite misleading; originally the temple was surrounded by 52 stupas, that contained caskets and other funerary remains. It seems appropriate that a temple dedicated to Tara, female emanation of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara of Compassion, would supervise this large royal cemetery.

The north face of the temple is seen here.