The Sambisari Temple
The Sambisari Temple
4
Ancient RuinsPoints of Interest & LandmarksReligious Sites
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
293 reviews
Excellent
98
Very good
142
Average
50
Poor
2
Terrible
1
davidko
Singapore, Singapore100 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
The entrance fee for this is very cheap at only 2,000 Rp. The temple compound is pretty serene, and it seems to be in the middle of some village. There were few tourists visiting the area, so it was pretty enjoyable. The temple is made up of a main temple and 3 other smaller temples. I took about 20 minutes to walk around.
I made this my last stop before I go to the airport, it's just about 5 minutes drive to the airport, so I would recommend visitors to visit on the last day to the airport too.
I made this my last stop before I go to the airport, it's just about 5 minutes drive to the airport, so I would recommend visitors to visit on the last day to the airport too.
Written August 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael-and-Jose
Los Angeles, CA276 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
While much smaller than Prambanan, this site is largely intact and shows the indian influence in Java especially with the presence of multiple linga (in fact, the whole site looks like a linga.) The linga is much more than a phallic symbol and is said to be more of a worship of female sexuality. This becomes clear when you visit sambisari. While it might be easy to bloe off since it isn't as obviously dramatic as Prambanan or Palaoson, this is a truly beautiful site that is well worth a visit.
Written January 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,528 contributions
Mar 2011 • Couples
The Prambanan Plain around Yogyakarta is home to a wealth of archaeological remains. The most famous of these, Prambanan, is World Heritage listed and one of the most famous sights in Java. For those who like a bit of solitude, there are dozens of other temples in the area, including Candi Sambisari, which rarely see foreign visitors. Located down a side road just a few kilometres from the airport, Candi Sambisari can easily be combined with a trip to or from the airport. It is a small but well-preserved complex which is worth an hour or so poking around.
Written October 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelosta
Zug, Switzerland18 contributions
Aug 2019
I was visit this place many times with group, it was lovely place and very quite. We curious about 'Lingga Yoni' state inside this temple. If you looking place for pre wedd, this temple should be in you list. very beautiful
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dwi T
Jakarta, Indonesia124 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
This Sambisari temple is Adisucipto airport so it became my first place to visit after landed at Yogyakarta. Although this temple is not as popular as other big temple in Central Java/Yogyakarta, it was unique. It was an underground temple. It was buried underground until emerged by local farmer in 1966. It was small one but well maintained and neat. The entrance fee is very cheap. Good to take some pictures specially in morning.
Written June 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajvs
Chennai (Madras), India186 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Worth to visit. It was buried 8 meters below the ground and unearthed during 1970's. This clearly indicates the ashes/sands from Mount Merapi covering such historical sites, layer by layer over many hundred years. So there may be many such buried temples underground and Mount Merapi would left for us...
It is nice see the holistic view... this site is like a small snack for photography hungers. Nice to see old shiva linga statue, Ganesha and Sage Agasthiya. Indonesian temples and Sage Agasthiya some relation!
It is nice see the holistic view... this site is like a small snack for photography hungers. Nice to see old shiva linga statue, Ganesha and Sage Agasthiya. Indonesian temples and Sage Agasthiya some relation!
Written May 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zipkas S
23 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Candi sambi sari is a unique temple, it's place underground. The entrance fee is very cheap. A place that you must see if you traveling to jogjakarta.
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul N
Yogyakarta Region, Indonesia130 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
For those of you who want to say that they have seen an interesting and intellectually not too demanding historical monument while visiting Indonesia this is the place for you.
PROS:
Easy to get to since it is on a side road just beyond Yogyakarta airport on the road to Prambanan temple complex. You drive out of the airport, take a right and then the first major road to your left and then proceed for 2-3 kilometres. You can't miss it as the road narrows considerably at the end and follows the contours of the complex.
FREE! You only pay on Indonesian holidays according to the temple security guards. So no need to whinge about paying RP 250'000 for non-KITAS or non-KTP holders which includes most of you 'bules'.
Easy to park you car or motorcycle or bicycle near/next to the entrance.
Interesting and evocative Linga and Yoni statues are strewn around the inside complex. This is not evident in any other temple complex, as far as I know, in the Yogyakarta region.
CONS:
No place to have a decent bite to eat or drink in/next to the complex.
No one to tell you anything about the history or otherwise of this place or the stage of the excavation works as it seems that this complex is part of something far far bigger!
PROS:
Easy to get to since it is on a side road just beyond Yogyakarta airport on the road to Prambanan temple complex. You drive out of the airport, take a right and then the first major road to your left and then proceed for 2-3 kilometres. You can't miss it as the road narrows considerably at the end and follows the contours of the complex.
FREE! You only pay on Indonesian holidays according to the temple security guards. So no need to whinge about paying RP 250'000 for non-KITAS or non-KTP holders which includes most of you 'bules'.
Easy to park you car or motorcycle or bicycle near/next to the entrance.
Interesting and evocative Linga and Yoni statues are strewn around the inside complex. This is not evident in any other temple complex, as far as I know, in the Yogyakarta region.
CONS:
No place to have a decent bite to eat or drink in/next to the complex.
No one to tell you anything about the history or otherwise of this place or the stage of the excavation works as it seems that this complex is part of something far far bigger!
Written February 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr_Igor_1971
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia647 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Candi Sambisari, a 9th-century Hindu temple, is located in the village of Purwomartani near the Adisucipto International Airport about 9 km east of downtown Yogyakarta.
Sambisari was accidentally unearthed by a farmer in 1966. While working on the land, his hoe hit a carved stone that was part of the buried temple. The temple was buried deep in volcanic ash believed to be from an eruption of the nearby Mount Merapi. Candi Sambisari is architecturally similar to the more popular Prambanan Temple. Sambisari is believed to have been a Shivaite Hindu temple built around the years 812-846 AD during Rakai Garung’s reign. Much of the temple is still buried underneath. The rectangular central area is a 3-meter wide gallery with surrounding balustrades and 12 stone bases. It is believed that these round and square bases used to support wooden pillars and a roof structure that collapsed from the volcanic ashes. Based on the ruins, it is now believed that Sambisari was a temple complex that had a main temple and three smaller guardian (“pervara”) temples in front. The main temple is square shaped and facing west. On its walls are several statues of Hindu gods, Durga, Ganesha and Agastya, all adorned with Kala’s head on top. There are also statues of Mahakala and Nandisvara, as well as the Naga serpent.
Candi Sambisari deserves to visit. Entrance fee → 2,000 IDR
Sambisari was accidentally unearthed by a farmer in 1966. While working on the land, his hoe hit a carved stone that was part of the buried temple. The temple was buried deep in volcanic ash believed to be from an eruption of the nearby Mount Merapi. Candi Sambisari is architecturally similar to the more popular Prambanan Temple. Sambisari is believed to have been a Shivaite Hindu temple built around the years 812-846 AD during Rakai Garung’s reign. Much of the temple is still buried underneath. The rectangular central area is a 3-meter wide gallery with surrounding balustrades and 12 stone bases. It is believed that these round and square bases used to support wooden pillars and a roof structure that collapsed from the volcanic ashes. Based on the ruins, it is now believed that Sambisari was a temple complex that had a main temple and three smaller guardian (“pervara”) temples in front. The main temple is square shaped and facing west. On its walls are several statues of Hindu gods, Durga, Ganesha and Agastya, all adorned with Kala’s head on top. There are also statues of Mahakala and Nandisvara, as well as the Naga serpent.
Candi Sambisari deserves to visit. Entrance fee → 2,000 IDR
Written April 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelkat88
Perth, Australia27,550 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
The story of this temple is that a farmer was minding his own business tending his crop one day and he stumbled over what at first seemed like a rock. He dug around it, kept digging and discovered what seemed to be the very top of a temple. Indeed this is what it was, so archeologists were called in and begia the lengthy task of excavation and unearthed this ancient wonder which is completely below the level of all of the surrounding land.
It seems the farmer was compensated for the loss of his crop and land and he still wanders around keeping an eye on what else may turn up in the area.
It seems the farmer was compensated for the loss of his crop and land and he still wanders around keeping an eye on what else may turn up in the area.
Written May 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
I have to post this question here as I could not find information about Candi Kimpulan (Pustakasaala) located inside the University in Yogyakarta. I am longing to visit the temple since long. Is the temple open for visitors ? If not can I request for a permission from the University officials ? Any information on this will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Regards,
Venkat.
Written August 1, 2018
I think you can just go there as long as the library is open. It is right in the middle of the library building. They might ask for fee like when you visit other temples.
It’s in the campus of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) on Jalan Kaliurang, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta.
Written August 2, 2018
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