Paduraksa

Paduraksa, also known as kori is a type of gateway covered with towering roofs that can be found in the islands of Java and Bali, Indonesia.

Paduraksa marks the threshold into the most sacred space (the inner sanctum) within a religious compound, a cemetery, or a palace.

[4] The form of the structure is tall and slender, rising to a height of 16.5 metres and displaying intricate relief decoration, especially on the roof section.

Both menacing figures of kala's head and dvarapalas door guardians are believed to have protective property; to repel and drive away evil spirits from entering the compound.

A paduraksa in the Islamic cemetery complex of Sendang Duwur contains a mysterious wing-like feature thought to represent the wings of the meru; this might be associated with the celestial bird garuda.

The early form of a Javanese roofed gateway can be found in a couple of 8th to 9th-century temple complexes in Central Java, e.g. Prambanan, Plaosan, and Ratu Boko.

The Sendang Duwur cemetery complex has two kori agungs with wing-like architectural forms, which are thought to represent a winged Meru.

A paduraksa (left) marks the entrance into the main sanctum of the temple, while the candi bentar (right) marks the entrance into the outer sanctum of the temple.
Bajang Ratu, a 13th-century paduraksa in Trowulan .
A highly ornate paduraksa in the Pura Puseh Desa Singapadu, Bali .
A paduraksa gate of Plaosan compound, 9th century.
The kori gate of Kota Gede royal cemetery, 16th century.