The Javanese Candi: Function and Meaning (Studies in Asian Art and Archaeology, Vol 17)

The Javanese Candi is the outcome of a thorough study during many years on the function and the meaning of the monuments of ancient Indonesia, commonly called candi. A re-examination of the archaeological evidence, while scrutinizing textual data from inscriptions and literary works, systematically rejects the current opinion as if the candi was a royal tomb to enshrine the ashes of the cremated body of the dead king.
Instead, the candi was meant as a temple building where people could pay homage to the king and invoke the blessings of the forefather.

R. Soekmono, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor in Archaeology, Universitas Indonesia (since 1987); he was Director of the Archaeological Service (1953-1973), and Director of the Borobudur Restoration Project (1970-1983). He has published extensively on archaeology and ancient history.