Muaro Jambi archaeological site is the largest ancient heritage sites in Indonesia, stretches from west to east along the 7.5 km on the banks of the River Batanghari, with an area of ± 12 km ². This legacy stretches from the village and the village of Lake Muaro Jambi Lamo in the west to the village Kemingking In, SEBO Muaro District in the East, Muaro Jambi.
From the city of Jambi archaeological site can be reached by landline about 30 minutes to the east toward the port city of Talang Duku, then continued with the track crossed the river to the village Batanghari Muaro Jambi. Or can also be achieved through direct land route to the nearby site through lane play to the west City, cross the bridge Aur Duri, then proceed through the villages of Jambi Small toward the site, with an estimated distance from the center of ± 40 km. Another option is to rent a boat or sebeng Ketek (speed boat) that can be found on the outskirts of Batanghari river in the middle of town, and then down the river Batanghari while enjoying the scenery along the river toward the site of the temple.
At first site Jambi Muaro not many known people and known only to locals. New in 1820, limited the site began to unfold after the arrival of SC Crooke , a British officer when on duty visiting rural areas Batanghari received reports from locals about the presence of ancient relics in the village of Muaro Jambi. Later in the year 1935-1936, a Dutch scholar named FM Schnitger , in purbakalanya expedition in Sumatra, had visited and had a dig on the site Muaro Jambi. Since then Muaro Jambi became known, and from 1976 until now, seriously and in stages, carried out archaeological research and preservation to save historic sites and relics in Jambi Muaro this site.
Inside the complex there is not only the temple site, but also keeps a variety of ancient artifacts such as statues, ceramic, bead-mani, etc. of ancient currency. There are 8 complex enshrinement, an ancient pond, which the locals named Swimming Telago Rajo, and estimated that more than 60 fruit menapo (mound ruins of ancient buildings remaining.)
Regional sites are also surrounded by at least 6 channels or ditches of ancient man-made, which by local residents named the Trench Sekapung, Parit Sungai Johor and the Malay. Most of these trenches are now experiencing silting. Several years ago, local residents still use the grooves of this ancient canal as a means of transportation by using a traditional canoe. It is not impossible that in the past, the canals were made with the same reason, namely as a means of transportation and distribution logistics, as well as swamp area drainage system.There is also a suspect of its strategic function as a complex defense system enshrinement.
...::: :::... Site Museum
Site Museum located in central locations visit Jambi archaeological Muaro. Is a central building where the collection of information and findings from archaeological sites, both from the research and findings of population Muaro Jambi. In it displayed a wide range of collections that illustrate the greatness of values Muaro Jambi ancient heritage sites such as statues, pots, Padmasana, beads, currency, ornate brick, and ceramic pottery both foreign and local. Among the relics found are:
1. Prajnaparamita Statue
Statue in the form of this goddess in Buddhism Tantrayana a Goddess of Wisdom, as a symbol of the achievement of Shunyata (supreme truth) in the form of Sakti (female element). Described in the Dharma-cakramudra, the attitude of the hand 'is being turned the wheel of dharma' , and sitting postures vajraparyangka , folding legs being Padmasana (lotus / lotus), as a symbol of purity who live in three realms: land, water and air which is the element of life in Buddhism.
2.
Pot
Pots that are stored in the Museum site is a finding of the largest metal container Muaro Site Jambi. Weigh 160 kg and 67 cm high, with a lip circumference of 106 cm diameter. Found the locals while digging in the dirt not far from the temple complex Kedaton.
...::: Temple Gumpung :::..
Location Gumpung Temple Complex is located in the center of tourist visit Jambi Muaro enshrinement, precisely to deal with the Museum Site. This temple complex is surrounded by a concrete wall along the 150 x 155 m, with the main gate located on the east side. In it there is in addition to the main temple, there are also remaining chapel, one of which is directly in front.
At the time of the restoration in 1982 until 1988, has saved some important findings, including the statue of Prajnaparamita, and a brick Padmasana (pedestal / stand statues), peripih temple, wajra, and pieces of bronze bracelets are now kept in the Museum Site.
Who's the other major findings in the form of carved stone makara very beautiful and is now installed on one cheek of the main temple stairs. It is interesting to not pass up the fixed dilestarikannya remains a concrete wall had fallen, which is located in front of the temple on the northeast side.
Swimming Telago Rajo ...::: :::...
Rajo Telago name taken from the term local resident named an ancient pond located in front of the temple Gumpung, or east of the Museum Site. The pool size is 100 x 200 m, which is always flooded with 2-3 m depth, from surface soil. Most likely in the past, this pool serves as resevoir (reservoirs and water supply).
High Temple ...::: :::...
From the temple complex Gumpung if you look to the northeast a distance of ± 200 m can be seen a another temple which rises higher. Temple is called the High Temple.Page High Temple Complex surrounded by a fence wall with main gate facing the east while the other gate on the west side. It poses the main temple and 6 ancillary temples.
In the main temple there are stairs up to the second terrace of the temple with decreasing body building at its peak. Some findings are now stored in the Museum Site, including a number of pieces of iron and bronze objects, stone statue fragments, ceramic fragments from the Chinese foreign origin of the 9th century until the 14th AD. Besides, there are also ancient bricks etched with the words that are commonly used in the 9th century BC, contemporary with the writing prenagari.
Twin Temple ...::: Stone :::...
Location Twin Temple Stone Temple can be reached from the High to the southeast with a distance of ± 250 m.Restricted the temple complex of trenches and walls around with Panggar gate is located on the east side, and in which there is the main temple and a chapel. At the time of the excavation was rescued from an ancient bronze gong that read Chinese characters, and now it became the State Museum's collection of Jambi. Also found are pictorial brick, bergores and inscribed, and foreign ceramics from the Sung Dynasty, we can see in the Museum Site.
Temple Astano ...::: :::...
Astano Temple located approximately 1,250 m east of the High Temple. The main temple building is unique, different shape than the other temples on the site Muaro Jambi.Shape of the building has 12 sides, according to the interpretation of the experts, the shape is a combination of three buildings, each a different age or built more than once.Also at the temple site is also found in modern day fruit Padmasana (pedestal / stand statues), foreign ceramics from the Sung Dynasty and hundreds of beads.
...::: Gedong Gedong 1 and 2 :::...
The two temples located adjacent to each other, Gedong one is on the east and Gedong 2 is located to the west. Both the main temple had the same entrance stairs from the east.
1.
Gedong 1
Pages temple surrounded by a concrete wall along the 65 x 85 m with a main gate located on the east side. Apart from building the temple, also found pieces of statues, some illustrated and inscribed bricks, mortar stones, bells, Chinese coins, stone base and fragments of ancient tiles which are all stored in the Museum Site.Special stone base and critical findings, interpreted in this location than there are brick structure, was also standing building structures of wood / bamboo roof tiles.
2.
Gedong 2
Gedong 2 surrounded by a concrete wall along the 76 x 675 m, while the ruins of the main gate located on the east side. From the remains that there can be seen that at first Gedong 2 has a brick floor, in front of the main temple there are ancillary temples. Another important finding, namely a statue elephant statues of Singha and a number of fragments of stone, brick and shards of pottery inscribed foreign and local.
Temple Kedaton ...::: :::...
Temple complex located in the northern highway, before the entrance gate Muaro Jambi tourism site, or can be reached from the center of a visit to the west through Gedong 1 and 2. Kedaton Temple is the largest temple complex in Jambi Muaro Site.Pages complex surrounded by a fence wall, the ruins can still be found, and estimated length of the surrounding area 215 x 250 m.Inside the main temple complex there, which faces north and berdenah squares measuring 26 x 26 meters.
The building is easily recognizable because of its large and on one wall of the west side there are avalanches berangkal white stone that is part of the building field. Greatness of the temple are also visible from a variety of archaeological findings such as Padmasana stone pedestals, stone base, brick tiles, and not far from the location of the temple ever found a pot large enough, which is now stored in the Museum Site.
Temple Kotomahligai ...::: :::...
The location of the temple complex is located at the west of the cluster enshrinement Muaro Jambi. Of the tourists visiting the ancient site center Muaro Jambi is ± 4 km, which is administratively located in the Village area of Lake Lamo Muarosebo district. In the temple complex there is the main temple and chapel, but it also contained the remains of the wall of a building consisting of several rooms. Region with an area of ± 10,850 m² is also surrounded by a fence wall. On this page once found two elephant statues, one of them in the form of elephant Singha as found in Gedong 2. Both statues were removed and stored in the Museum Site.
...::: :::... Heritage High Value
The buildings of the temple and used its ruins show that in the past Muaro Jambi enshrinement site once the center of worship. There are strong indications of the relics found that the enshrinement Muaro Jambi is a center of worship Tantri Mahayana Buddhism.
Instructions can be seen apart from the temple itself is also of the range finding means of rituals such as, Prajnaparamita statue, ruins of stupas, statues of elephants Singha, wajra iron and writings are inscribed on the plate spells gold or scrawled on the brick. Among the inscribed bricks have the syllable 'Wijaksana' and as 'wajra' on gold plates, and Nagari script on gemstone rings 'tra-tra'.
In addition, the site also found relics of ceramics from China during the Song Dynasty (11-12 century AD), which indicates the existence of international relations that have occurred during the period. While the discovery of European ceramics of the 19th century confirmed the existence of excavations ever undertaken by a British officer and the Dutch scholar century 19-20.
Another invention in the form of beads, jewelry, pottery, broken tiles, and the remnants of housewares, the pendulum net / nets to catch fish, etc.., Show that the area surrounding the enshrinement of this complex was also a residential area, which allegedly is a place bermukimnya Buddhist monks and students in the past.
Thus, high value cultural heritage, which we should guard and preserve. Great nation does not forget its history. Because by knowing where we stand (history), then we will be able to determine which direction that will be addressed.
Since mid 2007, the business of restoration and construction of a temple from the ruins have been found again menapo done. And the reuse of this site as part of the ceremony the great days of religious Buddhism has also taken place, even this site became the center of the implementation of Vesak celebrations included in the national agenda in addition to Borobudur.
It is expected that conservation efforts and development of this cultural heritage will continue to be done and the results can be immediately we enjoy together as part of the cultural wealth of our ancestors. ( ERW )
Source: Tourism Office of Jambi Prov
