The temple walls are topped with 36 individual figures of Bodhisattvas and Taras, arranged in two rows of 18.
Unlike many contemporary temples, Candi Sari was designed as a multi-storied residence or dormitory for priests.
Architecturally, it features a clear transition from Buddhist stupas to the specific Javanese temple style known as candi.
The temple was rediscovered and underwent a significant reconstruction process starting in the late 1920s.
The central niches within the interior chambers suggest they originally housed bronze statues which are no longer present.
Local Javanese inscriptions confirm the site was built around the same time as the nearby Kalasan Temple, linked by a shared patron.
Sari Temple, or Candi Sari, is a 8th-century Buddhist temple featuring a unique two-story interior layout. Constructed during the Mataram Kingdom era, the building is physically connected to the nearby Kalasan Temple. The structure is characterized by its rectangular plan and walls adorned with 36 carved Bodhisattva and Tara figures. The interior is divided into three chambers on each level, separated by wooden floors that have since eroded. The outer walls feature elaborate reliefs of male and female deities, each holding a lotus flower. It likely served as a monastery or vihara for Buddhist monks rather than a central place of worship. The building exhibits a distinct architectural style influenced by Indian temple designs yet adapted to local Javanese craftsmanship. The temple remains a notable example of pre-Islamic religious architecture in the Yogyakarta region.
From the front-left corner of the grounds to frame the symmetry of the entrance and the stacked relief tiers.
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the exterior wall reliefs in a single frame.
Visit the nearby Kalasan Temple afterward to understand the historical connection between the two sites.
Carry plenty of water as there is very little shade within the temple complex itself.
Do not attempt to climb or lean against the ancient stone walls, as the porous volcanic rock is fragile and susceptible to erosion.
Maintain a respectful tone, remove footwear before entering the interior chambers, and ensure shoulders and knees are covered.
