HISTORY
Mahakala represents the god Shiva as the ruler of time in a terrifying form (krodha), having two hands holding a mace and a dagger.
Mahakala has the power to create, maintain, and simultaneously destroy.
TIMELINE
Relocation Location of the Statue
1808
The Singhasari Temple is a relic of the Singhasari Kingdom, located in Malang, East Java. Built in the 13th century, this temple served as a place of worship for King Kertanegara, highlighting 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 of 1808-1817, this place may have functioned 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 Candi Singhasari.
1817 - 1827
The Lands Plantentuin is the old name of the Bogor Botanical Gardens, which opened in 1817 by the Dutch colonial government under Governor-General Godert van der Capellen. This botanical garden was established for the purpose of botanic research and the conservation of tropical plants. In addition to plants, this place may also function as a temporary storage location for historical objects before they are eventually moved to the Netherlands. This garden became one of the important scientific centers in the Dutch East Indies.
During this period, artifacts from Indonesia, including those from the Singhasari Temple, were moved to the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Netherlands. This museum serves as a center for research and exhibitions of artifacts from around the world, especially from Dutch colonies. Throughout this period, many important artifacts from the Archipelago were transported to Europe for safekeeping and display, often without the consent of their originating communities.
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 exhibition of cultural artifacts from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Although it often faces controversy regarding collections deemed a result of colonialism, this museum plays an important 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 returned artifacts to Indonesia hold significant symbolic value, marking an important step in the effort to recover historical items that were once taken abroad.
Location
arca in the temple
Durga is located in Western Room / Front of Singosari Temple
Nandisvara and Mahakala are considered the gatekeepers of the Siwa heavens, thus located at the entrance of the temple.
Both have two weapons in their hands as a form of strong guardianship.
MEANING
DETAIL ARCA
Destructive
Curly hair and wearing large earrings, representing a strong and intimidating demeanor to embody the destructive elements of his personality.
Sword
Muscular and brawny, the right arm holds an ornate sword at the beginning of the blade.
Gada
A tool to protect and maintain
Height
196cm
Width
108cm
Depth
145cm
Weight
1548kg
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