Cangkuang Temple

Cangkuang temple is a Hindu temple located in Kampung Pulo, Cangkuang Region, Leles Subsdistrict Garut, West Java. According to this blog this temple is also the first time found in Tatar Sunda and is the only Hindu Temple.

I've never heard of the Cangkuang Temple before, never knew or even never read it...can you believe it...I love history. When I was in primary school I want to be an archeologist because of my history teacher taught about temples and Indonesian ancient kingdoms with an interesting way. So why...why...I do not know about the existence of The Cangkuang Temple. I just found out last week accidentally when I was visiting my relatives in Garut, her house is located near The Temple. I am very excited especiallu since I am crazy falling in love with photography.

To reach the temple located on a small island we had to cross Situ Cangkuang (situ means lake) using a bamboo raft. We can see the local residents use the lake for daily life such as washing clothes, bathing (perhaps) , and fishing. Children playing in the lake after school, bamboo raft, fisherman, lake surrounded by mountains...imagine this beautiful scenary in Garut.

Did you know that Cangkuang is the name of a plants type pandanus. This plants have a fruit

looks like jackfruit, they said it tasted sweet but make itchy.

Cangkuang Temple was found in 1966 and restored by the Government in 1974. The stones of

the temple was using a new stones because the old stones is widely uses by the local peoples as a

stone tomb. This happens because they did not know that the stone is the part of the temple which

is important for the history. In the temple there is a statue of God Siva that have been damage

so as to minimize the damage, the government decided to create a locked iron door. Next to the

temple there is a tomb of Islamic leader named Eyang Embah Dalem Arif Muhammad. Actually I'm

not aware that a lots of stones around the temple is a tomb.

The existence of the temple is blessing for the local people, they make handicrafts and sell them to

the tourists. They sell roasted corn only a thousand rupiah, any brands of drinking water, boiled

bananas. Many people picnic here with all the family...eating lunch together under the big trees...

I love it since people today never do the picnic thing...am I right?

Please come to the Garut to see Cangkuang Temple and the natural beauty of the lake, trust me you will not regret it...