HISTORY
Nandi is the sacred bull that serves as the vehicle and loyal guardian of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology.
It symbolizes loyalty, strength, and purity, often depicted in a calm sitting position in front of the Shiva temple, watching over the entrance. As a symbol of purity and devotion, Nandi is also believed to represent the harmonious relationship between nature and spirituality.
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 serves as a place of worship for King Kertanegara, demonstrating the role of the temple as a center of spirituality and culture 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 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 from the Singhasari Temple.
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 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 transferred 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 the 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 Dutch colonies. During this time, 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 exhibition of cultural artifacts from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Although it often faces controversy regarding collections considered to be the result of colonialism, this museum plays an important role in introducing Indonesian culture to Europe.
2023
On August 18, 2023, the 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 have a high symbolic value, marking an important step in the efforts to return historical items that were taken abroad.
MEANING
DETAIL ARCA
Luxury jewelry
The Nandi bull is adorned with a pearl necklace, strands of flowers, and a large necklace with hanging bells, symbolizing wealth and grandeur in its depiction as a sacred vehicle.
Luxury jewelry
The Nandi's back is covered with a saddle that has a beautiful leaf-patterned design, adding elegant details.
Lotus flower petals
This statue stands on a base shaped like a lotus petal, symbolizing purity and sanctity, a characteristic of Hindu sculptures.
Height
39cm
Width
195cm
Depth
113cm
Weight
1300kg
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