Cheto Temple

 

Cheto Temple is a temple complex, located about 5 km north and 500 m above Sukuh Temple.The layout of temple is similar to Sukuh except that it comprises many more (14) terraces.
The Cheto temple is excavated in 1842 by Van der Vlis. Built in XV century, Cheto Temple has entrances resembling Balinese temple today. After the entrance, multilevel terrace spans east to west. The highest point of this temple is the Nirvana Peak in the reactangular shape. This temple is surrounded by tea plantation and from this high point visitors can see Sukoharjo, Boyolali, Surakarta, Karanganyar, Wonogiri, Sragen dan Klaten. The most interesting that still remain is a complicated figures composed of stones laid flat on the ground.

Based on Van Der Vlis and AJ Bernet Kempers research, Cheto Temple complex consist of fourteen terraces. But in the reality, it only consisted of thirteen structured terrace from west to east with formation pattern and height, it’s assume to be the holiest. Each terrace connected by a door and footpath that is impressing divides terrace yard to become two parts.

The architecture of Cetho Temple are equal with Sukuh Temple. Both of them are have terrace form remind us to “punden” at prehistory age. This formation is a very specific kind of this building and cannot be found at any other temple on Central Java except Sukuh Temple.

At Cetho complex Temple, visitor can found many arc with period marking from prehistorically age, for example, the arc is depicted in the form of simple, both hands is put down in front of stomach or chest. This position, according to the experts reminds to a simple statues at Bada area, Central Sulawesi. There is also relief tell the story scene of Cuddhamala like the one at Sukuh Temple and also animal relief like salamander, elephant, tortoise, eel and crab.

The establishment Cetho Temple can be attributed to existence of numerical inscription of the year 1373 Saka, or equal to 1451 AD. Based on the inscription, and depiction of animal figure and also relief and the arcs, Cetho Temple complex estimated from around 15th or at the end of Majapahit period. The Temple Main building placed on the top back yard. The architecture form of this building is like Sukuh Temple and the architecture form now is the result of restoration at seventies together with buildings pendapa from wood.