Candi Plaosan Lor or Plaosan Lor Temple or North Plaosan Temple is a Buddhist monument estimated to have been built during the reign of Rakai Pikatan, king of the Medang Kingdom in the early 9th century AD in Kewu plain in Bugisan Village, Prambanan District, Klaten Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.
Plaosan Lor has very fine and detailed sculptures similar to Borobudur Temple, Sewu Temple, and Sari Temple. De Casparis held on to the Cri Kahulunan Inscription (842 AD) stating that Plaosan was built by the Queen Sri Kahulunan or Pramodhawardani, the daughter of King Samarattungga of the Syailendra dynasty. Sri Kahulunan is a Buddhist and married to Rakai Pikatan from the Sanjaya dynasty who adheres to Hinduism.
Another opinion said that the temple was built before the reign of Rakai Pikatan. Anggraeni said Sri Kahulunan was the mother of Rakai Garung who ruled Medang before Rakai Pikatan. Rakai Pikatan's reign was too short to build a large temple, but he built small temples within the complex after the main temple was built.
In October 2003 an inscription was made of gold plates 18.5x2.2 cm from the 9th century in the complex. AD The contents of the inscription are still unknown, but according to Tjahjono Prasodjo, epigraphs reinforce the theory that Plaosan Temple was built during the reign of Rakai Pikatan.
Plaosan Lor Temple is a vast ensemble complex. In the west has two pairs of Dwarapala statues facing each other, a pair located at the north entrance and a pair at the southern entrance. Each statue has a sitting position on the right leg that is folded with the left foot bent in front. The right hand holds the mace and the left hand rests on the left knee.
In the northern courtyard has a square stone terrace surrounded by rows of stone pillars. The stone terrace is estimated to place offerings and have wooden buildings, while above each leg has a statue of Dhyani Buddha. A similar but smaller terrace and six large stupas also stand south of the complex.
The center of the Plaosan Lor temple complex is two storey buildings as the main temple, facing west, each surrounded by a stone fence and surrounded by 174 small temples. Almost all of these small temples have now been destroyed. In each corner of the rows the temples have a smaller temple and are surrounded by two rows of swords which are also interspersed with a smaller temple at each corner.
On the west side of the stone fence that surrounds each of the main buildings stands a Paduraksa gate with decorated roofs and small crowns. The top of the roof is square with a small crown above.
Each of the main temples stands on 60 cm high feet and without a corridor that surrounds them. The staircase to the door has a dragon headdress, a door frame decorated with flower carvings and above the doorway has a Kala headdress without a lower jaw. Along the southern temple walls have reliefs depicting men, while in the northern temples depict women.
The interior of the two main buildings has three rooms below and three other rooms on the second level. The floor of the board that connects the two current levels has been lost, but the wall still has a place to install the floor. The middle room has three statues of the Buddha sitting and lined up above Padadmasana facing the door.
The left and right walls of the room have niches to place lighting and are flanked by reliefs of Kuwera and Hariti. The left and right of the main door have a connecting door to the side room. Each side room has three Buddha statues sitting in a row above Padadmasana facing west.
Plaosan Lor has very fine and detailed sculptures similar to Borobudur Temple, Sewu Temple, and Sari Temple. De Casparis held on to the Cri Kahulunan Inscription (842 AD) stating that Plaosan was built by the Queen Sri Kahulunan or Pramodhawardani, the daughter of King Samarattungga of the Syailendra dynasty. Sri Kahulunan is a Buddhist and married to Rakai Pikatan from the Sanjaya dynasty who adheres to Hinduism.
Another opinion said that the temple was built before the reign of Rakai Pikatan. Anggraeni said Sri Kahulunan was the mother of Rakai Garung who ruled Medang before Rakai Pikatan. Rakai Pikatan's reign was too short to build a large temple, but he built small temples within the complex after the main temple was built.
In October 2003 an inscription was made of gold plates 18.5x2.2 cm from the 9th century in the complex. AD The contents of the inscription are still unknown, but according to Tjahjono Prasodjo, epigraphs reinforce the theory that Plaosan Temple was built during the reign of Rakai Pikatan.
Plaosan Lor Temple is a vast ensemble complex. In the west has two pairs of Dwarapala statues facing each other, a pair located at the north entrance and a pair at the southern entrance. Each statue has a sitting position on the right leg that is folded with the left foot bent in front. The right hand holds the mace and the left hand rests on the left knee.
In the northern courtyard has a square stone terrace surrounded by rows of stone pillars. The stone terrace is estimated to place offerings and have wooden buildings, while above each leg has a statue of Dhyani Buddha. A similar but smaller terrace and six large stupas also stand south of the complex.
The center of the Plaosan Lor temple complex is two storey buildings as the main temple, facing west, each surrounded by a stone fence and surrounded by 174 small temples. Almost all of these small temples have now been destroyed. In each corner of the rows the temples have a smaller temple and are surrounded by two rows of swords which are also interspersed with a smaller temple at each corner.
On the west side of the stone fence that surrounds each of the main buildings stands a Paduraksa gate with decorated roofs and small crowns. The top of the roof is square with a small crown above.
Each of the main temples stands on 60 cm high feet and without a corridor that surrounds them. The staircase to the door has a dragon headdress, a door frame decorated with flower carvings and above the doorway has a Kala headdress without a lower jaw. Along the southern temple walls have reliefs depicting men, while in the northern temples depict women.
The interior of the two main buildings has three rooms below and three other rooms on the second level. The floor of the board that connects the two current levels has been lost, but the wall still has a place to install the floor. The middle room has three statues of the Buddha sitting and lined up above Padadmasana facing the door.
The left and right walls of the room have niches to place lighting and are flanked by reliefs of Kuwera and Hariti. The left and right of the main door have a connecting door to the side room. Each side room has three Buddha statues sitting in a row above Padadmasana facing west.