Discover Sukuh Temple, the Gateway to the Archipelago The Guardian of Nusantara Music Video

After the phenomenal success of Wonderland Indonesia, Alffy Rev is back, shaking up the music scene once again with his latest project, The Guardian of Nusantara.

Released on August 17, 2024, to commemorate the 79th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day, this music video reflects Alffy Rev’s signature Indonesian flair. This time, he chose Sukuh Temple as one of the key filming locations.

In The Guardian of Nusantara music video, Sukuh Temple is portrayed as a mystical gateway to the Nusantara, a realm that Alffy Rev beautifully weaves into his song.

The selection of Sukuh Temple was no coincidence—its rare architectural style, combined with its unique reliefs, gives it a mysterious yet deeply symbolic presence.

Thanks to the epic visual storytelling in The Guardian of Nusantara, Sukuh Temple is back in the spotlight, becoming a hot topic of discussion. Many content creators have since visited or reviewed this temple, drawn by its intriguing history and stunning visuals.

If you’re curious about Sukuh Temple’s unique charm, here are some key insights to guide you before your visit.

5 Facts about Sukuh Temple

Location of Sukuh Temple

Sukuh Temple is situated in Sukuh Hamlet, Berjo Village, Ngargoyoso District, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. It’s conveniently located about an hour’s drive from Solo City and just 30 minutes from the popular Tawangmangu highlands.

Perched on the slopes of Mount Lawu, at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters above sea level, Sukuh Temple enjoys a refreshing, cool atmosphere, especially when the wind gently blows through the area.

On clear days, you may be lucky enough to catch stunning views of Mount Telomoyo, Mount Ungaran, Mount Merapi, and Mount Merbabu from this scenic spot.

The Unique Shape of Sukuh Temple

At first glance, the structure of Sukuh Temple might spark various associations—some say it resembles a pyramid, while others compare it to ancient ruins left by the Mayans or Aztecs in the Americas.

It’s easy to see why people make such comparisons, as the main building of Sukuh Temple is trapezoidal—a shape rarely seen in ancient Hindu temples in Java, or even across Indonesia.

Sukuh Temple is actually a Hindu temple complex rooted in the Tantrayana school of thought, which, according to various sources, developed predominantly in India, Tibet, and China.

Built around the 15th century, near the end of the Majapahit Kingdom, Sukuh Temple is considered relatively young compared to other temples.

It is often referred to as ‘the last temple,’ as the kingdom’s collapse and the spread of Islam in Java occurred not long after its construction.

Unique Reliefs of Sukuh Temple

Beyond its distinct shape, Sukuh Temple is adorned with many mysterious and symbolic reliefs. In an interview, Alffy Rev mentioned that extensive research went into creating The Guardian of Nusantara, particularly in choosing the temple as the symbolic gateway to Nusantara in his music video.

Alffy was especially drawn to Sukuh Temple after seeing the relief of a Garuda gripping a snake at the temple’s first gate.

This image reminded him of the Garuda symbol on Indonesia’s national emblem, Pancasila, where the bird holds a banner inscribed with Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

In addition to the gate’s relief, Sukuh Temple features numerous statues and carvings believed to depict Garuda in various forms. While some statues remain almost fully intact, others are missing parts, such as their heads.

Another noteworthy feature is the series of reliefs depicting scenes that might be considered erotic. However, these carvings carry deeper meanings, often associated with fertility and the cycle of life—so don’t jump to any conclusions!

Sukuh Temple Entrance Fee and Operating Hours

Visiting Sukuh Temple is an affordable experience, with an entrance fee of just IDR 15,000 per person. Upon arrival, the management will lend you a cloth to cover your clothing while exploring the temple grounds, in keeping with the cultural respect required for this Hindu place of worship.

Sukuh Temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, but we think it’s best to arrive after 8:00 AM when the staff is fully prepared to welcome visitors.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the temple’s history and meaning, you can hire a guide to accompany you on your journey through this fascinating site.

Tourist Attractions Near Sukuh Temple

If you’re planning to visit Sukuh Temple, why not take the opportunity to explore other nearby attractions? Just a 20-minute drive away, you can take in the stunning views of the tea plantations at Kemuning Hills, which also boasts a 65-meter-long glass bridge suspended 60 meters in the air.

You can extend your historical tour with visits to Cetho Temple and Kethek Temple, located not far from Kemuning Hills, or roughly 40 minutes from Sukuh Temple.

For those short on time, there are also several attractions close to Sukuh Temple, including Jumog Waterfall, Watu Gambir, Tenggir Park Flower Garden, and other scenic spots around Tawangmangu.

Explore More Filming Locations for Your Next Adventure

Besides Sukuh Temple, Alffy Rev also showcased several other locations in The Guardian of Nusantara music video, including Taman Pujaan Bangsa Margarana, a hero’s cemetery park in Tabanan Regency, Bali.

Other notable Bali locations featured at the end of the video include Garuda Wisnu Serasi in Tabanan, Sangeh Monkey Forest, The Sukarno Center Tampaksiring Museum, and Ada Garuda Gallery.

This isn’t the first time Alffy Rev has highlighted Indonesian destinations in his videos. In Wonderland Indonesia, he featured spots like Garuda Wisnu Kencana and Taman Nusa, while in Beauty of Bali, he focused on locations such as Balerung Stage Peliatan Bali, Puri Agung Peliatan, Pura Dalem Ubud, and Bukit Campuhan.

For those planning a vacation, why not create an itinerary based on these filming locations? It doesn’t have to be limited to Alffy Rev’s videos; you could also draw inspiration from other films or music videos. A current popular destination is the filming location of Sal Priadi’s Gala Bunga Matahari video clip, which was shot in Yogyakarta.

Indonesia has no shortage of film and video locations that can serve as travel inspiration. Examples include Studio Alam Gamplong in Yogyakarta, Holbung Hill near Lake Toba, which was featured in Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap, and the culinary spots in Pontianak and Singkawang from Aruna dan Lidahnya. You can also explore Muntilan, which is the city behind “Kota M” for the Gadis Kretek series, among many others.

Tour the Filming Locations with TRAC Car Rental

Make your trip more exciting and hassle-free with TRAC’s car rental services, allowing you to explore multiple destinations at your own pace.

For your adventure in Yogyakarta, consider renting a car to visit Sukuh Temple, Muntilan, Alam Gamplong Studio, or the Gala Bunga Matahari filming location. If you’re heading to Bali to explore its filming spots, TRAC’s Bali car rental is the perfect choice.

TRAC offers two types of services: car rental with a driver and self-drive options. Choose the one that best fits your travel needs.

Enjoy a seamless experience with TRAC by making reservations through the TRACtoGo app or the TRAC website. Download the application on Google Playstore or Apple Appstore.

Stay updated on TRAC’s latest promotions and travel tips by following their social media: instagram @trac_astra, facebook TRAC-Astra Rent a Car and twitter (X)  @TRACastra.

Whatever the track, just use TRAC!