Candi bentar

In contrast to the very ornate shape and decoration of the main faces, the sides of the passage are left completely plain.

[2] There are several different styles of candi bentar, from the plain red brick structure of Majapahit-style with its derivations of Cirebon, Demak, Kudus, and early Mataram Sultanate style, to the stucco-coated split gates of Kaibon Palace in Banten, also in the cities of Surakarta and Yogyakarta, to the richly adorned split gates of Balinese temples and palaces compound.

Other than narrowing the passage, candi bentar do not serve a real defensive purpose, since this type of split gate is originally designed not to have doors.

Candi bentar probably only serve for aesthetic purpose, to create a sense of grandeur before entering a compound.

Candi bentar is thought to date back to the Hindu period of Singhasari and Majapahit in 13th to 14th-century Java.

The current prevalence of candi bentar is probably owed to the influence of Majapahit aesthetics on Javanese and Balinese architecture.

The Sultanate palace of The Keraton Kasepuhan used candi bentar to mark access into the public audience pavilion.

A candi bentar marks the entrance into a Balinese temple Pura Lempuyang Luhur , Bali .
Wringin Lawang split gate at Trowulan , one of the oldest surviving candi bentar.
Balinese dance performance in front of candi bentar and paduraksa gates.
Reliefs from the main temple of the Panataran temple complex, depicting walls, small candi bentar split gate, and watch tower
A row of candi bentars at Kaibon Palace, Banten .