Asu Sengi Temple: A Historical Gem on the Slopes of Mount Merapi
Asu Sengi Temple – Located on the lower slopes of Mount Merapi, in Candi Pos Hamlet, Sengi Village, Dukun District, Asu Sengi Temple stands as a relic of Indonesia’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Its exact coordinates are 07° 31′ 650″ LS and 110° 21′ 097″ BT. The temple, measuring 8.08 x 8.08 meters in a square shape, is roofless today, with only its base and body remaining. It is believed that the temple’s roof was destroyed in an ancient earthquake triggered by Mount Merapi’s volcanic activity.
Asu Sengi is a Hindu temple dating back to the Sanjaya Dynasty. The temple’s name has two possible origins. One explanation is linked to a broken statue of Nandhi, the sacred cow associated with Lord Shiva, which, when discovered, resembled a dog, or “Asu” in Javanese. The other explanation comes from the name of the village where the temple is located, “Sengi.” Thus, locals refer to it as Candi Asu Sengi.
Another theory suggests that the name “Asu” comes from the Javanese word “Aso” (from “Mengaso”), which means “to rest.” According to this account, the temple may have served as a resting place for pilgrims during worship. This is further supported by the presence of a pit inside the temple, resembling a well, which was likely used as a place of worship for a particular deity or the spirit of a king.
Several inscriptions have been discovered around the Asu Sengi Temple, providing valuable historical context. Among them are the Sri Manggala I inscription (874 AD) and Sri Manggala II inscription (876 AD), as well as the Karambitan I and II inscriptions. These records suggest that the temple, along with neighboring Pendem Temple and Lumbung Temple, was constructed around 869 AD during the reign of Rakai Kayuwangi of the Sanjaya Dynasty.
According to these inscriptions, Asu Sengi Temple was considered a sacred site for worshiping ancestral spirits, as well as the spirits of kings and deities. This temple complex, with its spiritual and cultural significance, continues to be an important link to the ancient history of the region.
