Mojokerto

Mojokerto is a region of East Java that is rich in archeological ruins. This area is thought to be the location of capital of the past Mojophit kingdom. Temples, gates, building foundations, parks, pools, tiles, and wells are what is left of the once great Mojophit capital.

One of the interesting things to see is a huge gate called Wringin Lawang. It is 13 meters long, 15.5 meters wide and 13.7 meters high. It is a very interesting gate because it looks like a temple split in two, with a path through the middle. Another interesting gate is one called Bajang Ratu, which means the king who fails. This gate is 11 meters long, 6.74 meters wide and 16.1 meters high. Although it resembles the Wringin Lawang gate, it is different in that its roof is not split down the middle.

The Brahu temple is, according to legend, the tomb of Prabu Brawijaya, although there is no proof for that claim. The Brahu temple is 11.2 meters long, 6.75 meters wide, and 16 meters high; and like all other temples in the area, it faces west. Although this temple was in the past surrounded by many other temples, all of them have been destroyed. Another temple, called Candi Tikus was built for taking baths.

The temple called Siti Inggil is now considered a holy place, so it is often visited by many people. Many statues from around this area are kept in the Mojokerto museum.

The site in the Sentonorejo Village is an area having four structures which are 12.5 meters long, 8.5 meters wide, and 1.6 meters high. They are Islamic tombs, which are said to hold the bodies of Dewi Murni, Dewi Pandansari, Wahito, and Puyengan.

The Traylya is made of stone bars with the dates and year written on them in a Javanese writing system. Although they don't tell who is buried in the tomb, they have provided a lot of archeological data.

References:

http://www.smelting.co.id/mojokerto.htm

http://www.indonesiaphoto.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=109

Written by Eric Winter, 2003