RADAR TULUNGAGUNG- Indonesian temple heritage tourism has become a defining passion for Lana Faizatussulaimah, a hospital communications staff member in Tulungagung, who spends her free time exploring ancient temple sites across Java.
Despite working in healthcare, Lana has nurtured a fascination with archaeology since her university years. She first discovered that interest while taking an archaeology course at a college in Tulungagung. Since then, curiosity has grown into a lasting hobby of visiting historical sites in different regions.
“I love temples because of their unique architecture and decorative elements, especially narrative reliefs such as Arjunawiwaha and Kresnayana,” Lana said, explaining what drew her to ancient structures.
For Lana, temples offer more than physical beauty. Their architecture, relief carvings, ornamentation, and historical stories combine to create joy, pride, and curiosity. Each visit brings new insight into Indonesia’s past.
Her travels took her to the Dieng Plateau in Central Java in December 2024. There, she admired temple complexes set against a dramatic mountain landscape.
“Candi Bima and the temples in Dieng are fascinating because their architecture still resembles Indian temples,” she said, noting evidence of historical cultural exchange.
Another memorable visit was to Jawi Temple in Pasuruan, East Java. Lana said the site holds strong symbolic meaning because it reflects the blending of major religious traditions in medieval Java.
“Jawi Temple represents the fusion of two religions and includes the Sutasoma marriage relief,” she said.
Among the many sites she has explored, Penataran Temple in Blitar Regency remains her favorite. The complex is the largest temple site in East Java and features extensive structures and narrative relief panels.
“Penataran is the widest temple complex in East Java. It has ritual bathing pools and more than five narrative relief stories,” Lana said enthusiastically.
For Lana, temple visits are not merely leisure travel. She describes them as educational healing experiences rooted in history. Her long-term dream is to become an archaeologist or a content creator focused on heritage tourism.
She also hopes younger generations will value cultural heritage sites more deeply.
“I hope they stay preserved and people stop seeing temples as just piles of stone,” she said.