Surakarta (Solo)
Java, Indonesia
Candi Ceto is located 900 km (a half mile or so) up Mt. Lawu from Candi Sukuh. Built in the late 15th century, it is a much kinder and gentler temple than its predecessor, as can be seen from the humanistic and thoughtful statues on its terraces (photos 1,2), compared to the demonic guardian from C. Sukuh (photo 3)!
It is not certain, though, that the Candi Ceto figures are actually guardians; but if not, then what are they? C. Ceto's current (mid-1970s) reconstruction has been criticized by scholars, who even propose that some of its statues might be more recent than ancient. Never take a restoration for granted!
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