Candi Jabung is remain of Majapahit Empire located in Jabung village, Probolinggo. It is only 5 km from Kraksaan and 500 meters nearby Jabung Tirta on the road side of Surabaya-Situbondo.
The site consists of main building which is now only foundation left and one smaller building called as Candi Sudut. The red brick of the temple has high quality carved with relief. The building structure could last hundred of years. Candi Jabung is 13.13 m x 9.60 m x 16.20 m on land covering 35 m x 40 m. The restoration was undertaken in 1983-1987, and the land was added more spacious 20,042 sqm and located on 8 m asl.
The temple faces west, on the west side there is a projecting part, former stairs to enter the temple. On the southwest of the yard there is Candi Menara Sudut assumed to be located on teh corner of the fence, its function was as the complement of the main building.This temple is made of red brick 2.55 m X 6 m.
Architecture of Jabung temple is very interesting, has component of foundation, feet, bosy and roof. The temple body is round like octagon cylinder on square 3 level base. It has dagoda or stupa roof only the top is collapse and the roof is decorated with tendrils. In the temple room there is a pedestal, according to inscription on the temple entrance, it was built in 1276 Saka or 1354, in the glorious day of Majapahit.
According to Negarakertagama anf pararaton, Candi Jabung is called as Bajrajinaparamitapura. In Negarakertagama , Jabung temple was visited by Hayam Wuruk in 1359 and in Pararaton, Sajabung was the grave temple of Bhra Gundul one of king’s relative.
Relif on the railing depicts relief panels about daily life ;
1. an ascetic wearing cloth in front of his student.
2. two men are nearby a well and one of them holding bucket.
3. among panels there are round projecting panels as medallion but the relief inside the medallion is damaged.
4. lions standing face to face
The temple foot is divided into two parts :
a. First terrace of temple foot
The base is docorated with padina leaves, and there are panels made of redbrick with medallion motive. It is also decorated with carving of human, animals and plants.
b. Second terrace of temple foot
This level is decorated with padma leave, kala and leaves motive.
· Temple Body
There is a relief of human, house and trees and there is also a relief of beautiful woman riding a fish, this relief can be found in Hindu epic of Sri Tanjung, releasing soul. Sri Tanjung is also depicted in Candi Penataran, Candi Surowono and Bajang Ratu. The temple room is 2.6 m x 2.58 m and height 5.52 m and on the top there is a engraved roof. On the entrance frame there is number depicted 1276 Saka or 1354 as evidence of the construction process.
Temple Roof
The roof has gone and from the remains assumed that the peak is stupa and decorated with tendril. This temple was visited by Hayam Wuruk on his inspection. The restoration was done Hayam Wuruk in 1353 and for 500 years the temple was forgotten. This temple similar to Muara Takus temple in Riau and Biaro Bahal in Padang Sidempuan. It was renovated in 1883 by government.
Sri Tanjung story depicted on the temple’s wall tells about a malign to Sri Tanjung, a goddess, wife of Raden Sidapaksa, and it was ended by the death of Sri Tanjung. As Sri Tanjung was innocent then she is revived by gods and lived in her residence before she gets married. Raden Sidapaksa was ordered by Btari Durga to go to Sri Tanjung residence, and meet Sri Tanjung. Sri Tanjung did not want to make up with him except if Raden Sidapaksa could kill and bring the hair of the malign as foot mattras of hers. Her will was granted and both live happily.
Probably the number depicted on 1276 Saka or 135 was not the year when the temple was constructed as in Negarakertagama and pararaton, the number refers to year when Hayam Wuruk visited the temple and also when the restoration was undertaken.