Perched high on the western slopes of Mount Lawu in Central Java, Indonesia, stands Candi Sukuh (Sukuh Temple), a 15th-century Hindu-Javanese sanctuary that challenges conventional notions of Javanese temple architecture and iconography.
Candi Sukuh is famous—and sometimes controversial—for its distinct pyramidal form and its explicit depictions of human sexuality and genitalia, a symbol of fertility and Tantric Hinduism.
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| Sukuh Temple in Mount Lawu, Java island of Indonesia |
A Unique Architectural Departure
Unlike the grand, ornate, and tiered structures of earlier classical Javanese temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, Candi Sukuh presents a strikingly different form: a stepped pyramid reminiscent of pre-Colonial Austronesian terraced structures, or even ancient Mayan architecture.
This shift in design, along with the unique style of its carvings, reflects a period when Javanese religious art was beginning to diverge significantly from earlier Indian influences, returning to more indigenous mountain and ancestor worship traditions, often intertwined with Hindu-Buddhist philosophy.
The temple complex is arranged across three ascending terraces, with the main pyramid at the highest level—a structural choice intended to reflect the increasing sacrality as one ascends toward the mountain's peak, the revered home of the ancestors and gods.
The Tantric and Erotic Iconography
The most notable and compelling aspect of Candi Sukuh is its unconventional artwork, which is heavily saturated with themes of fertility, life creation, and spiritual purification
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| Lingga and Yoni is the symbol of fertility |
The Lingam and Yoni
At the entrance gate to the first terrace, visitors are immediately greeted by a relief carving on the floor depicting the unmistakable union of lingam (male phallus) and yoni (female vulva).
This is not merely an erotic depiction but a potent Shivaistic symbol representing the generative power of the cosmos—the fusion of male and female principles.
While the linga and yoni are common in Hindu temples, their explicit and realistic portrayal on the floor of a Javanese temple gateway is unique to Sukuh and the nearby Candi Cetho.
The Tantric Interpretation
The explicit sexual imagery is overwhelmingly interpreted by experts not as pornography or vulgarity, but as representations of Tantric wisdom and rituals.
In certain streams of Tantra, the fusion of male and female energies is central to achieving spiritual enlightenment, and purification (Sudhamala) and balancing energy and releasing emotional blockages.
The relief on the gate, for instance, has been interpreted as a ritualistic depiction of sexual yoga—the blending of energies to achieve a "new energy of rebirth" and a transcendental experience that brings the practitioner closer to the divine.
The temple's imagery suggests that the reproductive act and the celebration of fertility were elevated to the realm of the sacred, a path to spiritual freedom and the elixir of life
Tantric Massage
In modern life, the sacred union of lingam (penis) and yoni (female vulva) is also celebrated through a meditative and sensual deep breathing and slow strokes of full body massage that foster the flow of energy, healing and spiritual mindfulness. A Yoni massage is a type of sensual or therapeutic massage that focuses on the vulva and vagina, which is called "Yoni" in Sanskrit and translates to "sacred space" or "source." It is often associated with Tantric practices.
Its primary goal is typically not just orgasm, but rather to help the receiver:
- Feel more in tune with their body and develop a positive relationship with their sexuality.
- Explore pleasure in a slow, methodical, and non-pressured way.
- Release emotional or energetic blockages related to past experiences or trauma.
- Increase sexual awareness and orgasmic potential.
Key Aspects
Holistic Approach: A yoni massage usually begins with a full-body massage (including the breasts and inner thighs) to create deep relaxation and arousal before moving to the genital area.
Focus on Sensation: The massage involves various techniques on the external genitalia (labia, clitoris) and often includes gentle internal vaginal stimulation, such as massaging the G-spot.
Intent and Respect: Practitioners stress the importance of approaching the yoni with reverence and respect, focusing on the emotional and spiritual connection to enhance sexuality.
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| Tantric Yab-yum Position |
Explicit Figures and Ritual Power
Other carvings reinforce this central theme:
The Colossal Lingam: A massive 1.82-meter (6-foot) lingam statue, once located at the main structure but now housed in the National Museum in Jakarta, featured four spheres or "testicles" near the tip, thought by some researchers to reference an ancient Javanese practice of inserting jewels or gold under the penile skin, possibly to enhance pleasure or symbolize ritual potency.
The Grasping Figure: A life-sized, now-headless male figure is depicted grasping his own erect phallus, suggesting a ritual act or a focus on masculine power and fertility.
The Ganesha Relief: A relief of the deity Ganesha is notably depicted dancing with exposed genitalia and a demonic physiognomy, a distinct feature that some scholars associate with the practice and visual language of Tantric Buddhism or Tantric Hinduism in the 15th-century Java.
A Lasting Legacy
Candi Sukuh stands as a monument to the dynamic and evolving nature of Javanese religion and art.
Its remote, mountainous location, unique architecture, and revolutionary visual program mark it as a powerful relic of Java’s last major Hindu-Buddhist temple-building era—a time when local genius confidently adapted and reinterpreted global religious traditions. Today, it remains an enigmatic site, offering a profound glimpse of the culture of the ancient Javanese people.
Relates Post:
SORONG'S MORNING WALK: A HALF-DAY BIRDWATCHING TOUR
Sorong, often viewed as the stepping stone to the world-famous Raja Ampat islands, holds a secret: its immediate outskirts offer an accessible and surprisingly rich birdwatching experience, perfectly suited for a half-day tour. This short but rewarding excursion allows visitors to glimpse the vibrant avian life of New Guinea's lowlands without the commitment of a multi-day jungle trek.
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| Papuan Eclectus |
THE ESSENTIAL EARLY START
To maximize sightings, the half-day tour requires an early start. Local guides typically pick up participants around 5:00 AM. This timing is crucial as birds are most active and vocal during the cool, pre-dawn and early morning hours, engaging in feeding and their spectacular "dawn chorus."
The tour involves a short drive, usually about an hour, to one of the nearby low-lying or secondary hill forests outside the bustling city center. These areas, despite their proximity to Sorong, still provide essential habitat for many New Guinea species.
BIRDING THE LOWLAND FOREST AND RIDGE
The primary habitat explored during the half-day trip is the forest edge and hill ridge, often involving quiet walking along trails or accessible roadsides. The focus is on finding the large, colorful, and often noisy species that West Papua is famous for.
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| Blyth's Hornbill |
Target birds in this habitat often include:
* Parrots and Cockatoos: Keep an eye (and ear) out for the impressive, jet-black Palm Cockatoo and the loud, unmistakable Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. You may also spot the dramatically colored Eclectus Parrot and the smaller, bright Coconut Lorikeet and Red-cheeked Parrot.
* Pigeons and Doves: Species like the large Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruit-dove, and various vibrant Fruit-doves (such as the Pink-spotted or Orange-fronted) can be watched as they feed in the canopy.
* Other Forest Specials: Guides will search for the distinctive calls of species like the Yellow-faced Myna, the noisy Helmeted Friarbird, and soaring raptors like the Pacific Baza or Long-tailed Honey Buzzard. The impressive Blyth's Hornbill is often seen flying over the forest canopy.
A QUICK COASTAL OR MANGROVE TRANSITION
As the tropical heat increases, typically around 10:00 AM, some tours may briefly transition to a nearby coastal area or mangrove patch closer to Sorong. This offers a change of scenery and an opportunity to spot different bird types, including shorebirds and sea eagles.
Species here can include:
* The striking Beach Kingfisher.
* Coastal waders like the Common Sandpiper.
* White-bellied Sea Eagle or Brahminy Kite soaring overhead.
* Pacific Reef Heron hunting in the shallow waters.
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| Beach Kingfisher |
PRACTICAL NOTES FOR BIRDERS
The tour usually concludes by mid-morning, around 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, allowing participants to return to their hotel for lunch and prepare for their onward journey to Raja Ampat or other destinations. The tour can also be conducted in late afternoon from 12:00 to 18:00.
* Gear: Bring binoculars (essential), insect repellent, and wear dark, muted clothing.
* Weather: Expect warm and humid conditions, even in the early morning.
The half-day birding tour near Sorong is a concentrated and convenient way to experience the biodiversity of the West Papua lowlands, providing a colorful welcome to the island of New Guinea.
Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing the following button:
Also read:
- Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong Regency of Indonesia
- Birding Near Sorong City
- Short Birding Tour in Sorong City
- Birding Tour Outside Sorong City
- Birding at the Outskirts of Sorong City
- Sorong City Sightseeing and Birding Tour
- Birding and Sightseeing Tour in Sorong City
- Tourist Attractions in Sorong City
- Birding in Mangrove Forest of Sorong City
- Birding in the Forest Near Sorong City of Indonesia
- Birdwatching in Sorong regency's forest
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