MUARA TAKUS TEMPLE

            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.