Pawon

Welcome to Chandi Pah-wohn, a small but profoundly significant jewel in the crown of Javanese antiquities. As you approach this site, walking through the quiet, shaded streets of the local village, the temple reveals itself…

As we begin our circumambulation of the temple exterior, take a moment to appreciate the overall architectural composition of Chandi Pah-wohn. The structure rests upon a square base, elevated above the ground, symbolizing the…

Focus your attention now on the magnificent bas-reliefs carved onto the outer walls of the temple. Among the most enchanting and perfectly preserved of these carvings are the depictions of the Kinara and Kinari. …

We now stand before the main entrance of the temple, facing west toward Boh-roh-boo-door. The doorway is framed by a spectacular and fearsome architectural element known as the Kala-Makara portal, a quintessential feature of…

Step carefully across the threshold and into the Cella, the inner sanctum of Chandi Pah-wohn. As your eyes adjust to the dim light filtering through the single entrance, you are met with a profound and resonant emptiness. …

Exiting the cool, dark interior of the temple, we step back out into the brilliant Javanese sunlight and turn our attention to the temple courtyard. Dominating this space is a magnificent, sprawling Bodhi tree, the Ficus…

Before we conclude our visit to Chandi Pah-wohn, it is essential to contextualize the temple within the living matrix of the surrounding village, known as Brojonalan. Unlike many archaeological sites that are isolated behind…

As we conclude our exploration of Chandi Pah-wohn, turn back one last time to view the elegant silhouette of the temple against the sky. We have traced its exquisite exterior carvings, passed beneath the terrifying gaze of the…