This photograph shows the Javanese-Hindu shrine, the Candi Shiva. It is the largest of the three temples within the complex of the Candi Prambanan (also known as Candi Lara Jonggrang), a Borobudur associated site built in the 9th century. This temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, is the main temple of the Candi Prambanan, flanked by shrines dedicated to the deities Vishnu and Brahma on each side. These temples, built during the Hindu Sanjayan dynasty followed the Indian architectural model, though the relief motifs on the walls were distinctly Javanese. This photograph taken by pioneer Indonesian photographer Kassian Cephas is part of a portfolio containing an extensive photographic survey detailing the Candi Prambanan. It was compiled by Dr Isaac Groneman, a Dutch scholar of Javanese history and culture. He was assisted by pioneer Indonesian photographer Kassian Cephas, who was responsible for the pictorial documentation during the excavation of the site from 1889 to 1890.
