Bajangratu temple in Mojokerto, Indonesia

Mojokerto Regency has many relics of the former glory of the Majapahit Kingdom. Even predicted as the center of the kingdom. One of the evidences is the existence of the Bajang Ratu Temple, which was found in the Kraton Hamlet, Temon Village, Trowulan District, Mojokerto, East Java.

The location of the temple is about 600 meters from Candi Tikus. This temple is still a mystery. Many things are not known for certain, both regarding the year of manufacture, the king who ordered its construction, its function, and other aspects. This temple measures 11.5 x 10.5 m with a height of 16.5 m and a door width of 1.4 m. The word "Temple" in Javanese means gate while "Bajang Ratu" means "King of Disability / Little King".

According to the writings in the Book of Pararaton, reliefs of Sri Tanjung and also the Mojokerto Archaeological Heritage Preservation Agency, this temple is called Bajang Ratu because this temple was built to honor King Jayanegara (the second king of Majapahit) who was very young when he was crowned king and to commemorate the death of King Jayanegara which occurred in 1328 AD.

The structure of the Bajang Ratu Temple if you look closely, it is clear that this temple is made of red bricks, except for the stairs, the lower and upper lintels which are made of andesite stone. Bajang Ratu Temple occupies a fairly large area of ​​green grass. This temple faces in two directions, namely East and West. Gapura Bajang Ratu has wings on the right and left. On each side flanking the steps there are decorations of lions and long-eared animals.

On the wall at the foot of the temple, flanking the stairs, there is a Sri Tanjung relief, while on the left and right of the front wall, flanking the door, there is a Ramayana relief. The door of the temple is decorated with a relief of a kala head which is located just above the threshold. At the foot of the doorway, you can still see the hole used to stick the frame. Maybe in the past the door was equipped with a door leaf.

The inside of the temple forms a corridor that runs from west to east. The stairs and hallway floors are made of stone. The inside of the roof of the temple is also made of stone blocks arranged in a north-south direction, forming a narrow space at the top. The roof of the temple is in the form of a meru (mountain), similar to a tiered pyramid, with a square peak. Each layer is engraved with an inverted pyramid pattern and a plant pattern. This temple is estimated to have been built between the 13th and 14th centuries.

Bajangratu Temple has undergone renovations during the Dutch era, but no data is obtained regarding exactly when the restoration was carried out. Improvements that have been made include strengthening the corners by filling hardening dough into loose grout and replacing wooden blocks with cast cement. Some of the missing stones from the rungs of the stairs have also been replaced. Entering Bajang Ratu Temple, you only need to pay an entrance ticket of 0.35 US dollars per person and fill out the guest list.

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