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durga

HISTORY

Goddess Durga is the śakti (consort) of Lord Shiva in the aspect of krodha (angry). Durga Māhiṣāsuramardini is the name for Goddess Durga who appeared to defeat the giant in the form of a buffalo (Mahisa).

Durga is depicted standing on the back of a buffalo, with eight arms holding various weapons given by the gods. In Hindu temples, the Goddess Durga occupies a niche or chamber on the north side.

TIMELINE

Location of the Statue Transfer

1808

Singhasari Temple is a relic of the Singhasari Kingdom, located in Malang, East Java. Built in the 13th century, this temple is a place of worship for King Kertanegara, showing the role of the temple as a spiritual and cultural center in the past.

1808 - 1817

The "De Vrijheid" park is a public park or square in Semarang, which was known during the colonial era as an important place for celebrations, meetings, and public events. The name "De Vrijheid" means "Freedom" in Dutch. During the period of 1808-1817, this place may have served as a social and administrative center for the colonial government, as well as a temporary location for storing antique items found around the island of Java, including those from the Singhasari Temple.

1817 - 1827

s Lands Plantentuin is the old name of Kebun Raya Bogor, which was opened in 1817 by the Dutch colonial government under Governor-General Godert van der Capellen. This botanical garden was established for the purpose of botanical research and the conservation of tropical plants. In addition to plants, this place may also serve as a temporary storage location for historical artifacts before they are eventually moved to the Netherlands. This garden became one of the important scientific centers in the Dutch East Indies.

1827/1828 - 1904

During this period, artifacts from Indonesia, including those from Candi Singhasari, were moved to the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Netherlands. This museum serves as a center for research and exhibition of artifacts from around the world, especially from the Dutch colonies. During this period, many important artifacts from the archipelago were transported to Europe for safekeeping and exhibition, but often without the consent of their communities of origin.

1904 - 2022

The Volkenkunde Museum (Museum of Ethnology) is a museum dedicated to the study of cultures and societies from various parts of the world. This museum serves as a center for documenting and exhibiting cultural artifacts from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Although it often faces controversy regarding collections deemed the result of colonialism, this museum plays an important role in introducing Indonesian culture to Europe.

2023

On August 18, 2023, artifacts stored in the Museum Volkenkunde were finally returned to Indonesia, and are now part of the collection of the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta. This museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in Indonesia, aimed at educating the public about the history and culture of Indonesia. The artifacts returned to Indonesia hold high symbolic value, marking a significant step in the efforts to reclaim historical items that were taken abroad.

Location

the arca in the temple

Durga is located in North Room / Right of Singosari Temple

The Durga statue is located in the north because this figure represents the highest Goddess, thus regarded as a divine figure.

This statue is also worshipped, hence it is situated near/inside the temple.

MEANING

ARCA DETAIL

Pitaka

The Pitaka (shield) and Cangka are made from the shell of a clam given by Lord Vishnu. This weapon is wielded by Goddess Durga while fighting Mahishasura, who is the incarnation of a giant.

Asura

One of the left hands of Goddess Durga holds an Asura (the human incarnation of Mahisa).

Mahisa

After defeating Mahisa, Durga stood on top of him as Asananya. Her right hand pulls the buffalo's tail while holding a trident.

Height

215cm

Width

98cm

Depth

152cm

Weight

1181kg