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prasasti

damalung

HISTORY

Nandi is the sacred bull who serves as the vehicle and loyal guardian of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology.

It symbolizes loyalty, strength, and purity, often depicted in a serene seated 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.

Garis Waktu

Location of the Arca Relocation

1824

In 1824, Domis, the Resident of Semarang, discovered the Damalung Inscription on the slopes of Mount Merbabu and placed it in the yard of his residence in Salatiga. At that time, Salatiga was an important region in Central Java under Dutch colonial rule.

1824-1873

After being placed in Salatiga, the Damalung Inscription was then transported to the Netherlands. Historical artifacts from the Dutch East Indies were often moved to Europe during colonial times to be preserved and studied further.

1873-2024

The Volkenkunde Museum is an ethnology museum that focuses on the cultures of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Despite facing criticism regarding the origins of its collection acquired through colonialism, this museum introduces Indonesian culture in Europe.

7 AGUSTUS 2024

Indonesian historian, Bonnie Triyana, discovered the Damalung Inscription during her visit to the Volkenkunde Museum. With the help of a local historian, the traces of this inscription were successfully tracked down in the museum's storage warehouse.

1904 - 2022

On August 18, 2023, artifacts from the Volkenkunde Museum were returned to Indonesia and became part of the collection of the National Museum in Jakarta. This return holds significant symbolic value in the efforts to repatriate historical items.

MEANING

DETAIL ARCA

The Meaning of the Inscription

"Om Sri Saraswati, the grand and sacred Mount Damalung. In the year of life in this universe, circling around, taking the form of humans, a place of water… because of Hyang Widi… by the Sun God, the Moon God who illuminates the good and the bad of both gods and humans."

The Meaning of the Inscription

Also, those who see with their hearts will hear and escape from anything forbidden by tradition. Everyone believes in the words that are truly spoken.

The Meaning of the Inscription

If there is someone...without having servants, cannot take a woman, seven...not truly married. In the Saka year 1371.

Height

115cm

Width

104cm

Depth

35cm

Weight

350kg