Sewu

Candi Sewu, also known as Manjusri grha, is an eighth-century Buddhist temple complex located in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the second-largest Buddhist temple complex in the country, predating the famous Borobudur by several decades. The site consists of 249 temples arranged in a mandala pattern, symbolizing the universe in Mahayana Buddhist cosmology. The main temple, which originally housed a large bronze statue, stands at 30 meters high with a cross-shaped layout. The complex reflects the harmonious coexistence of Hindu and Buddhist communities during its time, as evidenced by its proximity to the Hindu Prambanan temple. Despite damage from earthquakes and looting over the centuries, Candi Sewu remains an important cultural and religious site, hosting annual ceremonies such as Waisak Day.