Pawon and Mendut are believed closely related
with Borobudur and what make more interesting… the three temples are sitting on
a straight line from north to south.
The debate on Candi Pawon, a Buddhist shrine
located 1.5km from Borobudur on the main purpose is still unclear and
uncertain. There are two story related to Pawon. In Javanese language, Pawon
literally means "kitchen”, derived from the root word awu or dust
and probably built as a tomb that houses the dust of cremated king. But other
local people believed Pawon is not a grave but as a place to keep King Indra’s
weapon namely Vajranala.
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| Candi Pawon |
While, Candi Mendut is the oldest of the three
temples thought to have acted as a way-point on the road to Borobudur. There is a huge Banyan tree at the
corner of the temple compound, providing a good shade to visitors. It was first
discovered in 1834 and holds the distinction of being the first ancient
monument in the whole of Indonesia to be restored that stated in 1897.
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| Mendut view from the big Banyan tree on Lumix GX1 ISO160 14mm f8 1/500 -0.3EV |
There is a mutual religious relationship between
the three temples. Today, during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in
Indonesia observe Vesak annual ritual by walking from Mendut passing through
Pawon and ends at Borobudur.
There is no entrance fee for Pawon but IDR3,000 will be imposed for Mendut.
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