Review Wisata Candi Gedong Songo Semarang | Wisata Sejarah Murah Dan Indah

Gedong Songo Temple is a Hindu temple complex located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran, Central Java. Gedong Songo Temple currently has only five intact temples, as many others have been damaged by age and exposure to nature. This temple is thought to have been built during the Ancient Mataram Kingdom, specifically the Sanjaya Dynasty, around the 8th century AD. However, this Hindu cultural heritage was only discovered by Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1804. Initially, only seven temple structures were found, hence the name Gedong Pitu Temple. Then, around 1908 to 1911, Dutch archaeologist Van Stein Callenfels discovered two additional temple structures. Since then, the name has changed to Gedong Songo Temple. Gedong Songo Temple once served as a place of worship for the gods. This is evidenced by the presence of statues of Shiva Mahakala, Shiva Mahaguru, and Ganesha. Furthermore, the temple's location on a mountain is associated with Hindu beliefs. Hindus believe that mountains are the abode of the gods. Mountains, as high places, are also believed to maximize prayer time. Hinduists believe that praying in high places, such as mountains, brings them closer to heaven.