Explore the history of the archipelago from ancient times at the most popular temples in Sumatra, check the complete list below!
Most Popular Temple in Sumatra – Temples are one of the most popular historical tourist locations in Indonesia.
Term "Temple” refers to religious buildings or places of worship originating from the Hindu-Buddhist civilization. However, many non-religious historical monuments from Indonesia's classical Hindu-Buddhist period are commonly called temples.
Even though the two best and most popular temples in Indonesia, Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple, are on the island of Java, temple tourism in Sumatra is also a must for Travelers to visit.
Temples in Sumatra are very different from temples in Java in terms of construction, making them unique places to visit. Is Travela interested in visiting historical Indonesian tourist attractions in Sumatra?
The following are recommendations for the most popular temple tourist destinations in Sumatra that must be included in your next holiday itinerary!
Most Popular Temple in Sumatra
1. Muaro Jambi Temple
In Jambi Province there is Muaro Jambi Temple, another popular temple tourist attraction in Sumatra which is no less amazing.
With a total area of 3.981 hectares, this Sumatran temple area is the largest Hindu-Buddhist religious temple complex not only in Sumatra and Indonesia, but in Southeast Asia.
This temple in Sumatra is thought to have been built between the 7th and 12th centuries AD and is most likely a legacy of the Srivijaya and Malay Kingdoms.
This Sumatran temple complex currently has nine reconstructed temple buildings, including the Kotomahligai, Kedaton, Gedong Satu, Gedong Dua, Gumpung, Tinggi, Telago Rajo, Kembar Batu, and Astano temples.
All the renovated temples in the Sumatran temple complex are Buddhist in style, as expected by the majority of people at that time who adhered to Mahayana Tantrayana Buddhism.
This Sumatran temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, along with Muara Takus Temple.
Address: Maro Sebo District, Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi Province
2. Muara Takus Temple
Travela, Muara Takus Temple in Riau is one of the most popular temple tourist destinations in Sumatra. This temple destination in Sumatra is approximately 135 km from Pekanbaru City and has various temple buildings such as Sulung Temple, Bungsu Temple, Mahligai, Stupa, and Palangka.
There is some controversy regarding the age of this Sumatran temple. Some people believe that this temple dates back to the fourth century, while others believe that it dates back to the seventh, ninth, and possibly eleventh centuries.
Apart from this debate, this temple in Sumatra is thought to have been built during the Golden Age of the Srivijaya Kingdom, and the temple complex functioned as one of the administrative centers of the Srivijaya Kingdom.
So it is unexpected that remnants of splendor can be found among the ruins at this Sumatran temple tourist location.
Address: Muara Takus Village, XIII Koto District, Kampar Regency, Riau Province
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3. Temple One
Furthermore, Temple One, measuring approximately 3,5 x 3,5 meters, is currently under restoration.
Workers placed new bricks on top of the existing stones. In the middle there is a cross-shaped hole filled with sand. The metal findings on the body of this most popular temple in Sumatra are in the form of plates with mantras written on them.
Address: Tanjung Medan, Panti, Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra 26352
4. Bukik Awang Maombiak Temple
Travela, Bukik Awang Maombiak Temple is located in Siguntur Regency, West Sumatra Province. Apart from being a cultural historical marker of the Batang Hari river for hundreds of years, this temple is a historical tourist spot in West Sumatra.
According to historical records, this most popular temple in Sumatra was built between the seventh and fifteenth centuries.
Address: Siguntur District, Sitiung District, Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra
5. Bumiayu Temple
Travela, Bumiayu Temple is the first temple site in Sumatra discovered in South Sumatra Province.
This Hindu-style temple is the only temple complex in South Sumatra. Work to repair temple sites in Sumatra began in the 1990s, and so far nine temple buildings have been restored.
The most popular temple complex in Sumatra covers an area of 75,56 hectares and is surrounded by seven river ditches, some of which have been filled with mud.
This temple in Sumatra is thought to have been abandoned by its inhabitants around the 16th century due to pressure from Hindu political forces by Islam, and gradually began to fall into disrepair, buried in the ground and forgotten before being rediscovered by EP Tombrink in 1864.
Address: Bumiayu Village, Tanah Abang District, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir Regency, South Sumatra Province
6. Bahal Temple
The next recommendation for the most popular temple in Sumatra is in North Sumatra Province, specifically in Bahal Village. This temple in Sumatra has many names, including Bahal Temple, Biaro Bahal Temple, and Portibi Temple. Name "Biaro” Thought to be associated with Buddhist monasteries or monasteries.
Bahal Temple, like most other Sumatran temples, is famous for its use of red bricks. This temple in Sumatra dates from the 11th century and is associated with the Pannai Kingdom, a port in the Malacca Strait which was eventually invaded and included in the Sriwijaya Mandala.
This temple complex in North Sumatra consists of three ancient temples, the largest of which is Biaro Bahal I. These three temple buildings were found and erected in a straight line. The Padang Lawas Temple Complex in Sumatra consists of 26 temple ruins with an area of 1.500 km².
Even though it is located in North Sumatra, the architecture of this temple is very similar to the Jabung Temple in Probolinggo Regency, East Java.
Address: Bahal Village, Sibatu Loting, District. Padang Bolak, North Padang Lawas Regency, North Sumatra 22741
7. Black Kayo People Temple
Travela, this temple is located in Jambi Province. The ancient brick building is thought to still be in ruins, and this temple building has gone through initial data collection in previous years.
Because of its close and strategic location, this most popular temple in Sumatra is visited by many tourists.
Address: Jalan Rangkayo Hitam Office Complex, Simpang, Berbak, East Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi
8. Lesung Batu Temple
This site is a cultural relic of Indonesia's Hindu-Buddhist past. This temple is located on a community-owned rubber plantation in South Sumatra which is still in production.
Research reveals that this temple has a Hindu religious background. Lesung Batu Temple is still a mound of earth with old stones scattered all over its surface.
Address: Lesung Batu Muda, Kec. Rawas Ulu, Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra 31654
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9. Tanjung Medan Temple
Travela, Tanjung Medan Temple, located in West Sumatra province, is another temple-related tourist destination in Sumatra. This temple in Sumatra is a Hindu-Buddhist cultural heritage site that was renovated by the government in the 1990s.
Even though people have known about the existence of this temple for a long time, the origins of the Tanjung Medan Temple are still not known for certain.
This most popular temple in Sumatra consists of two buildings that resemble prayer altars and was built with bricks that are larger than those found today.
Both buildings have been rebuilt and given roofs to preserve the original bricks of the damaged and destroyed temple buildings.
Address: Tanjung Medan Hamlet, Panti District, Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra.
The temples in Sumatra are no less interesting to visit, right? So, Travela has decided where you want to go yet? Make sure to take note of our recommendations for the most popular temples in Sumatra!
