Sari Temple is the first Buddhist temple together with Kalasan Temple that built in the Ancient Mataram Kingdom area (later become Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java) around 8th AD Classical Javanese Period. This temple is a legacy of 2 great dynasties that once led the Ancient Mataram Kingdom, namely Sanjaya Hindu-based Dynasty in the north and the Syailendra Buddha-based Dynasty in the south as it is recorded in the Sanskrit Kalasan Inscription. The construction of this temple was a gift from the marriage between the two dynasties. This temple was intended to be a vihara/monastery for Buddhist priests while the other (Kalasan Temple) was intended to be a shrine/worshipping place for Goddess Tara. This temple was built facing east-direction symmetrically and divided into two axis part: horizontal (inner and outer) and vertical (lower and higher), where the outer & lower parts represent the profane zone and the inner & higher parts represent the sacred zone. The Horizontal Part -The outer is the terrace with an open door on its front-side. -The inner is the temple itself. The Vertical Part -The lower is both 1st & 2nd floor of the temple. The facade were installed by 38 Boddhisatvas (it is supposed to be 40, but the other 2 were lost / destroyed): 12 on east & west-direction and 8 on north & south-direction all showing the same Tribhangga attitude holding padma flower also kinaras-kinaris in the same numbers which each pair of them flank 16 open-windows, 3 closed-windows, as well as 1 main door in the middle of it. The room were splitted into 3 chambers where on the edge of each it left empty (it is supposed to be a place installed by a statue of the Buddha along with other 2 major Boddhisatvas). -The higher part is the roof of the temple. There are 9 stupa separated by 3 following the number of 3 chambers in the floor below. There are also 12 houses separated by 3 on each direction.

+3

A temple worth stopping by in Yogyakarta, located near Prambanan Temple. The architecture here is breathtaking.

+2

beautiful Buddhist temple in the east of Yogyakarta, stunning view and just great architecture, no ticket/admission

When I visited, this temple was closed for entrance even during daytime around 2 to 3pm. Very quiet neighborhood and small in land size.

+3

Security staff was not friendly. Actually kind of rude. Kids were running rampant through out this temple.