Muara Takus Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Muara
Takus village, District XIII Koto Kampar, Kampar, Pekanbaru, Riau. This temple
is the only heritage that shaped as temple in Riau, and in 2009 was nominated
as one of the UNESCO world heritage site.
There are
four other temples that near to one and another, which is Candi Sulung, Candi
Bungsu, Candi Mahligai and Candi Palangka. And six other buildings, namely:
The first
building: a heap of soil with two holes, thought of being a place for
cremation.
Second
building: The rectangular building of which the foundation was made of sand,
building had an unknown function.
Third
building: A rectangular buidling with a size of 3 mx 2.4 m which is located
outside the wall perimeter.
Fourth
building: Foundation of dirt where in the middle there is a big stone. Unknown
function.
Fifth and
sixth building: The building is only a foundation.
What makes Muara Takus unique can be seen when you step in
the the front yard of the complex. The Muara Takus looks the same as the
Buddhist stupas in Myanmar, stupas in Vietnam, stupas in Sri Langka and the
ancient stupas in India.
Muara Takus Temple can be reached by land approximately 3
hours from Pekanbaru, Riau. It lies on the Kampar Kanan river which also can be
reached easily from the Riau – West Sumatera highway which only about 20 km.