Entrance Gate With Kala Head

Candi Sukuh

Turning around from the square in front of the pyramid platform (previous page), we view the Candi's reconstructed entrance gate from behind (east). A kala head overhangs the opening, but this is not like any kala that is seen on the classical Hindu temples. This ogre head is fully sculpted in the round, and resembles the ogre guardian on the previous page much more than it resembles any classical Hindu kala.

The backwards-facing guardian, who looks behind into the sacred precincts instead of outward to the secular entrance, is also attested in Thailand.