HISTORY
Ganesha is a deity in Hinduism, revered as the remover of obstacles and the protector of arts, knowledge, and intelligence.
His distinctive appearance, with the head of an elephant and the body of a stout human, reflects his wisdom. His symbolic attributes, such as the modaka and the broken horn, represent his willingness to overcome challenges for the greater good.
TIMELINE
Location of the Sculpture Relocation
1808
The Singhasari Temple is a relic of the Singhasari Kingdom, located in Malang, East Java. Built in the 13th century, this temple serves as a place of worship for King Kertanegara, illustrating the temple's role as a center of spirituality and culture in the past.
1808 - 1817
The "De Vrijheid" park is a public park or square in Semarang, 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 from 1808 to 1817, this place may have served as a social and administrative center for the colonial government, as well as a temporary storage location for antique items found around the island of Java, including those from the Singhasari Temple.
1817 - 1827
s Lands Plantentuin is the old name of the Bogor Botanical Garden, which was opened in 1817 by the Dutch colonial government under Governor-General Godert van der Capellen. This botanical garden was established with the aim 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 has become one of the important scientific centers in the Dutch East Indies.
During this period, artifacts from Indonesia, including those from Singhasari Temple, were transferred 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 former Dutch colonies. During this period, many important artifacts from the archipelago were transported to Europe for safekeeping and display, often without the consent of their communities of origin.
1904 - 2022
The Volkenkunde Museum (Ethnology Museum) is a museum dedicated to the study of cultures and societies from various parts of the world. This museum serves as a center for documentation and exhibitions of cultural artifacts from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Although it often sparks controversy regarding collections considered a result of colonialism, this museum plays a crucial role in introducing Indonesian culture to Europe.
2023
On August 18, 2023, artifacts stored at the Volkenkunde Museum 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 significant symbolic value, marking an important step in the efforts to return historical items that were taken abroad.
Location
arca in the temple
Durga is located in East Room / Behind Singosari Temple
Having a special task from the goddess Durga to conquer the enemies of the gods that is told in the Kakawin Smardhana.
Ganeśa plays the role of overseeing from the east or from behind while sitting and alert.
MEANING
ARCA DETAIL
Weapon
The right hand holds a war axe (parasu) and the left hand holds a rosary (aksamala)
Modaka
Modaka, a bowl filled with the liquid of knowledge that represents Ganeśa.
Folded Legs
The position of the feet represents that Ganeśa symbolizes children.
Skull
Ganesha sits on an asana adorned with skulls as a representation of Lord Shiva.
Height
196cm
Width
108cm
Depth
145cm
Weight
1548kg
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