Ngawen

Ngawen is thought to be connected with the other three Buddhist temples nearby — Mendut, Pawon, and Borobudur — all of which were built during the Sailendra dynasty (8th–9th centuries).

According to the satellite map observation, the four temples; Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut and Ngawen are actually forming a straight line spanning west to east slightly tilted northeast with eastern end pointing to the peak of Mount Merapi.

The temple complex was built on site measures 3,556 square meter, sandwiched between a village and rice paddies.

On each side of the stairs and the top of the gates are adorned with carved Kala-Makara, commonly found in classic Javanese temples.

The outer walls of Ngawen main temple is carved with niches adorned with kala's head and the heavenly scene.

There is a headless stone statue of meditating Dhyani Buddha Ratnasambhava performing Varamudra stance inside the main square chamber.

They are Amitabha the ruler of the West, Ratnasambhawa for the South, Akshobhya for the East, Vairocana for the Zenith and Amoghasiddhi for the North.

[1] Examination of the style of Ngawen architecture, symbolism and carving, suggests that the temple was built around late 8th-century, slightly older than Borobudur.

The Karangtengah inscription, dated 824 CE mentioned that King Indra of Sailendra has built a sacred building named Venuvana which means "bamboo forest".