Mendut Temple
Candi Mendut
A 9th-century Buddhist temple about 3 kilometers east of Borobudur. Its inner shrine holds a seated Shakyamuni Buddha about 3 meters tall, one of the finest ancient Buddha statues in Java.
Mendut Temple was built in the early 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty. It lies roughly on the same line as Pawon Temple and Borobudur and is thought to be the starting point of the pilgrimage route. The outer walls are covered in relief carvings of bodhisattvas and stories of the Buddha's past lives. The inner shrine houses three giant stone sculptures. In the center is a seated Shakyamuni Buddha, about 3 meters tall, in the teaching mudra. On either side are Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani bodhisattvas. These are among the best-preserved ancient Buddha statues in Indonesia. Beside the temple is a Buddhist monastery and garden still in use. Each year during Vesak, a procession of monks sets out from here toward Borobudur. Admission is inexpensive, and the temple is open from about 08:00 to 16:00. Allow about 40 minutes for a visit. It can be reached by hired car from Borobudur or on a bicycle ride along the way.
Opening hours
About 08:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Pawon Temple
- Borobudur
- Gereja Ayam (Bukit Rhema)
- Punthuk Setumbu
- Ullen Sentalu Museum
- Mount Merapi
- Malioboro Street
- Sonobudoyo Museum