Mendut Temple

Attractions Mendut save a unique story that is quite interesting. A Buddhist temple near Borobudur Temple is one of the destinations visited by many enthusiasts of the culture and history of a bygone era.

Various temples is a relic of past glory is evidence scattered across the archipelago, including in Yogyakarta and the surrounding area.

Mendut built by the Sailendra dynasty, a king Indra. Historical evidence can be seen from Kayumwungan inscription ever found in Karangtengah.

Administratively, the tourist area Mendut are in the region of Central Java Province, located in the village of Mendut, Magelang. But in general, many among tourists call it as Mendut Yogyakarta.

As temples mostly, Mendut also rectangular, complete with garnish some small stupas. Although located in a straight line, supposedly Mendut first built before the temple of Borobudur. If Borobudur straight facing the sunrise, instead Mendut doors facing west.

Mendut Temple Rich with Moral Message

Seen from a distance, Mendut looks so elegant yet extremely sturdy stand on the foot of the temple is 3.7 meters tall.

Currently around the foot of the temple, you will find some relief panel on the fable (a story of animals), such as the story of "Birds and the Tortoise", "Brahmin and Crabs", also "Monkey and Bird Manyar".    

Glance reliefs are intended for a children's story. But in fact these reliefs illustrate the Jataka tale with a moral message that was so thick for tourists who come to Mendut.

While riding to the temple body, then you will find 8 relief Bodhisattva with a variety of hand gesture. The size of the relief is greater than the relief panels in Borobudur temple.

When you get to the temple, you will smell the scent of incense mingled among the 3 statues as high as 3 meters respectively. Large statues are of Buddha statue Dyani Cakyamuni (Vairocana), statues of Buddha Avalokitesvara (Lokesvara), and the statue of Bodhisattva Vajrapani.

Avalokitesvara Buddha statue right in the middle of two other statues in a sitting position. All three statues are made from whole rock and carved out a way carefully and prudently so it looks really amazing.

Once satisfied to explore parts Mendut booth, you can leave the gate of the temple and will pass through a number of souvenir stalls selling various trinkets. You can buy some souvenirs or souvenirs for friends or family at home.

Not far from the complex Mendut, seen Buddhist Monastery buildings open to the public where there is a pond decorated with lotus flowers blooming beautifully.

At the entrance to Buddhist Monastery, there are some stupa with row positions. It was a landscape that seems to bring you back in time to the 12th century where the sacred and religious nuances seem so dominant.

Mendut Address: Jl. Mayor Sills, City Mungkid, Central Java
GPS Coordinates: -7.605010,110.230455    

Ritual chanting in Mendut

In this Monastrery Buddhist area, every night to do some kind of ritual or meditation canthing. Uniquely ritual or meditation done by listening to the music and certain songs.

Although this ritual is only done by those who are Buddhists, tourists are also allowed to follow the ritual chanting.  

If you want to watch or follow this ritual, come before 7 pm because of the ritual chanting usually done at 7-8 o'clock in the evening.

Indeed, this is the ritual chanting peak moment when you get to the tourist area Mendut. This is an opportunity where you can feel and dissolve as well in the praises to the Creator.

Vihara Buddha Mendut

If you walk to the north side of the complex Mendut, you will find the Buddhist Vihara Mendut. It is said that this is actually the Buddhist Vihara monastery Catholic area, but in the 1950s the land in the aera is distributed to the people.

Furthermore, people's lands bought by a Buddhist foundation for the later built a temple on it.   

Mendut in Buddhist temples, there are a number of Buddhist statues, parks and places of worship. Some of the facilities in this temple portion is a donation from Japan.

Travel route to Mendut

From the center of the city of Yogyakarta, you can follow the path Jogja - Magelang (road linking Yogyakarta and Magelang) in order to arrive in the tourist area of Mendut. Arriving in the area Mungkid (fork in the red light), you will find a signpost pointing the direction to the Borobudur temple. Just follow the directions, and then turn left and then straight path until you find Mendut on the right side of the road.

The trip from Yogyakarta to Mendut location is a distance of 37 km with a duration of 45 minutes.