Mendut Temple
Buddhist temple near Borobudur featuring large statues
Mendut Temple near Borobudur in Central Java is a compact 9th-century Buddhist shrine with a large seated Buddha and bas-reliefs; visitors include pilgrims and those touring the Borobudur temple circuit.
Mendut at a Glance#
Address: Mendut, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
About Mendut#
Mendut refers to an early medieval Buddhist temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia, notable for its interior statues and proximity to Borobudur.
Mendut was built in the early 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty and formed part of a chain of Buddhist monuments in the Kedu Plain. Over time it fell out of use and was later restored during the colonial and modern periods.
Mendut stands in the Magelang area of Central Java, a short drive from Borobudur and within the Kedu Plain agricultural landscape west of Yogyakarta.
- Temple circuit: Often visited together with Pawon and Borobudur as part of a short ceremonial axis of ancient Buddhist sites in Central Java.
What to See#
- Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut): A single Buddhist temple complex on a raised platform with a central shrine chamber that houses a large seated Buddha and two attendant figures.
How to Get to Mendut#
Mendut sits about 3 km east of Borobudur temple and 12 km northwest of the town of Magelang. From Yogyakarta: take the public minibus or a taxi to Borobudur (about 1.5 hours), then a short local taxi or ojek ride to Mendut. Many organized tours include all three temples (Pawon-Mendut-Borobudur) in a single itinerary.
Tips for Visiting Mendut#
- Combine a visit to Mendut with early-morning Borobudur or Pawon to avoid crowds and watch incense smoke hang low in temple niches.
- Notice the two giant Dhyani Buddha statues inside the cella - their faces show a different carving style from Borobudur's reliefs.
- Enter quietly: photography is common but many worshippers come to light incense; keep movements respectful and avoid large tour groups at midday.
Best Time to Visit Mendut#
Pair Mendut with Borobudur and Pawon; early morning visits avoid most tour buses and reward visitors with quiet rituals.
Weather & Climate near Mendut#
Mendut's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2610 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 398 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.4h |
| February | Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 353 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.2h |
| March | Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 378 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 265 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Very Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 170 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 1.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.7h |
| June | Very Good | 21° - 30° | 25° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 1.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.6h |
| July | Excellent | 20° - 29° | 25° | 42 mm | some cloud | 88% | 2.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| August | Excellent | 20° - 30° | 25° | 34 mm | some cloud | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.8h |
| September | Excellent | 21° - 30° | 25° | 59 mm | some cloud | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Very Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 160 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 291 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| December | Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 360 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
