One of the religious tourism destinations in Mutihan, Solo City, is called Indra Prasta Temple.
The Balinese architectural style temple is located in Tribusono I Alley, Mutihan, Sondakan Village, Laweyan District, Surakarta City, Central Java. The location of this temple is South of Mujahidin Mosque ± 180 meters, or right on the bank of the Jenes River.
Indra Prasta Temple was built in 1986. Some of materials used to build Indra Prasta Temple were obtained from the rest of the construction of Bhuwana Agung Saraswati Temple, which is located in the Sebelas Maret University of Surakarta (UNS).
Indra Prasta (Indraprastha) means reigning in Indraloka, is Indra’s identification. Indraloka is the palace of Dewa Indra which is famous for its beauty. Dewa Indra is known as Surapati (King of Gods). In the puppet show, Indraloka embodies the earth with the name Indrapastha, the name of the palace which was founded by Pandawa helped by Dewa Indra.
Judging from the plan and structure, Indra Prasta Temple is classified as a temple with a dwi mandala. It means that within the temple wall there are two parts of yard. The first is known as Jaba Tengah or Middle Mandala, and the second is known as Main Mandala. Meanwhile, outside the two courtyards are considered Jaba Pura (outside the temple walls).
Entering the Indra Prasta Temple, visitors can go through the Bentar Temple. The shape is split in half which serves as the entrance to the first courtyard of the temple. On this first yard there are several buildings, such as the bale kulkul and two bale on the left and right sides of the first yard.
Kulkul is a big gong. It is in the front corner of the first yard. The shape of the building is made high as a tower with a kulkul or gong hanging on it. The function is as a non-verbal communication medium to disseminate information to the people or residents.
From the first yard of this temple, visitors can continue to the second yard. This second yard is a sacred yard, because in this yard there are a number of buildings that are used for Hindu religious rituals. For entering the second yard is through Kurung Temple or Kori Agung. Kori Agung resembles a temple and is in the form of paduraksa.
In the innards of this temple, there are two longitudinal bale buildings and padma tiga buildings. The two bale are called Bale Agung and Bale Gong. Bale Agung is in the form of a long bale with a rather high base and the roof is supported by several poles. This building serves as a meeting place. Meanwhile, the bale gong function is as a place for the gamelan, which is performed when the piodalan ceremony.
Padma Tiga is a monument located at the easternmost part of the temple. Padma which consists of three fruits is a place of worship. In general, in temples there are three Padma whose positions line up from south to north. The most central (main) building is usually used for worshiping Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa.