Candi Kidal lies on Rejokidal Village, Tumpang, Malang. It can be reached easily , just 20 KM East of Malang. This temple is said to be the oldest worship temple in East Java, date back in 1248 after Cradha for King Anusapati of Singasari Kingdom. Kahuripan Kingdom from 11 to 12th Century and Kediri Kingdom from 12 to 13th century only left Candi Belahan and Candi Jalatunda. The purpose of erecting the building is to make darma of King Anusapati, that his spirit will be blessed as Siva Mahadewa, in the transition period from Central Java to East Java glorious days.
The decoration of the temple is a mix of east and central Java characteristics. The temple is made of andesit stone with vertical geometric dimension. There is pile of stones as the temple fence. Temple’s body’s is built of on 2 meters foundation. IN front of the door, built a stairway from the foot of the temple to to hall way. The stairs are thin that if stairs seen from distance it doesn’t look like stairs. There is a short fence wrap the left and right of the stair that found no where else. The temple faces west and the door is completed with Kalamakara. Kala depicted with 2 big tusks, one of East Java temple characteristic. On the left and right corner, there are hands in mudra position.
In the window-like part, where usually statue placed, is completed with roof-like with kalamakara decoration as well. Temple’s roof is rectangle in three terraces without ratna or stupa on the top. Every terrace is decorated with creeping plant and flowers, and it said on every corner of the temple is emblazoned with small diamond. The foot part is ornamented with small medallion motives in a row and interspersed with flower and creeping plant motives. On the left and side of stair base, stand an animal resembles a lion in sit position like human with one hand raised as they support the upper part of the temple foot.
The temple’s chamber is not so spacious, and empty. Medalion motives decorated the inner temple wall, and there are 2 niches to put statuary. Each of niche is ornamented with roof with kalamakara carving. No statuary at all here. It said that a beautiful Siva statue is now displayed in Leiden Museum, originated from Kidal Temple.
There is Garudheya relief that is read by prasawiya. This relief is depicted on the temple’s foot, that according to a lore, this relief made to fulfill Anusapati mandate to purify Ken Dedes, his mother. Garudheya myth lives among old Javanese community, that tells about a struggle of a son to free his mother from misery. There was an ascetic with his 2 wifes, Winata and Kadru that were sisters and they compete to get their husband attention. There was a god visited them and gave each of then an egg to be taken care until crack open. Winata’s egg cracked and appeared a bird that was named Garudheya while Kadru’s egg crack for snake. One day because of betting game, as sisters competition continue, Winata should be slave for Kadru and her children. When Garudheya grew up, he found out that to fee his mother he should exchange with tirta amerta sari, water of life, that was kept by Wisnu. Garudheya struggled hard until he got Wisnu permission to take the holy water and he should serve Wisnu as vehicle.