Indonesia: Hindu temple complex on the Dieng Plateau, Central Java. Sailendra Period, c. 8th century. Johannes Muller, 1859

The Dieng Plateau is the location of eight small Hindu temples. It is unclear when they were built, estimated to range from mid 7th century to end of 8th century CE; they are the oldest known standing stone structures in Java. They are originally thought to have numbered 400 but only eight remain. The temples are believed to have been named after the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Candi are the Hindu and Buddhist temples and sanctuaries of Indonesia, mostly built during the 8th to 15th centuries. However, ancient non-religious structures such as gates, urban ruins, and pools and bathing places are often also called 'candi'.

Candi refers to a structure based on the Indian type of single-celled shrine, with a pyramidal tower above it, and a portico. The term Candi is given as a prefix to the many temple-mountains in Indonesia, built as a representation of the Cosmic Mount Meru, an epitome of the universe. However, the term also applied to many non-religious structures dated from the same period, such as gopura (gates), petirtaan (pools) and some habitation complexes.

The term 'candi' itself derived from Candika one of the manifestations of the goddess Durga as the goddess of death. This suggested that in ancient Indonesia the 'candi' had a mortuary function as well as a connection with the afterlife.

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