Ratna at Ijo Temple: Sacred Pinnacles of Hindu Architecture

Ratna are decorative stone pinnacles that crown Hindu temple roofs, serving as architectural markers of sacred space. At Ijo Temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the main shrine displays three ratnas on each side of its three-tiered roof, with a larger central ratna at the apex.

What Ratna Represents in Hindu Temple Architecture

The term “ratna” derives from Sanskrit, meaning “jewel” or “gem.” In temple architecture, ratnas function as more than decorative elements—they symbolize the connection between earthly structures and divine realms. These pinnacles mark Hindu temples as distinct from Buddhist structures, which use bell-shaped stupas instead.

Ratnas typically take the form of curved, obtuse pyramidal shapes or cylindrical structures, often compared to the fruit of the Barringtonia asiatica tree (known as “keben” in Javanese). The shape includes several ornamental seams called “pelipit” in traditional terminology. Indonesian archaeologist Soekmono identified ratna as a defining characteristic of Central Javanese temple architecture from before 1000 CE.

The placement of ratnas corresponds to Hindu cosmological concepts. Temple architecture divides space into three realms: Bhurloka (earthly realm) represented by the base, Bhuvarloka (middle realm) shown in the temple body, and Svarloka (heavenly realm of gods) symbolized by the roof and its ratna crown. This three-part division reflects the journey from physical to spiritual existence.

Ratna Configuration at Ijo Temple

Ijo Temple, constructed during the 10th-11th century Mataram Kingdom period, sits atop Gumuk Ijo Hill at 410 meters elevation. The main temple demonstrates classic ratna arrangement patterns found throughout Central Java.

The roof structure rises in three ascending terraces that decrease in size, creating a stepped pyramid profile. Each terrace displays three ratnas per side—twelve total across the three levels. The arrangement creates visual rhythm while reinforcing the sacred geometry underlying temple design. A thirteenth ratna, larger than the others, crowns the structure’s peak, emphasizing the vertical axis connecting earth to heaven.

Between the temple body and roof, craftsmen carved floral patterns and gana (dwarf figures) into the margins. This decorative band frames the ratnas above, creating visual transition from the heavily ornamented walls to the simpler geometry of the pinnacles.

The three perwara (subsidiary) temples flanking the main shrine also feature ratna-crowned roofs arranged in three tiers. However, these use simpler patterns befitting their supporting role in the temple hierarchy.

Historical Context and Construction Techniques

Temple builders during the Mataram Kingdom period used andesite stone, a volcanic rock abundant in Java. Craftsmen shaped ratnas from single stone blocks, then mounted them atop the roof terraces using techniques that have allowed many to survive over a millennium.

The construction process required precise measurements. Temple architecture followed guidelines from Indian treatises on Vastu Shastra, adapted to Javanese materials and aesthetics. Ratnas needed to align with the temple’s mandala-based floor plan, with each pinnacle positioned according to calculations involving celestial directions and sacred proportions.

Archaeological evidence from other Central Javanese temples, including Sambisari and portions of Prambanan, shows similar ratna designs from this period. The consistency suggests shared architectural traditions across the region, likely transmitted through royal courts and artisan guilds.

Ratna Variations Across Indonesian Temples

Different temple sites employed distinct ratna styles. At Prambanan, larger temples use stylized vajra (thunderbolt) forms instead of traditional ratna, representing a blend of Hindu and Buddhist symbolic systems. The vajra’s diamond-shaped geometry creates more angular profiles compared to Ijo’s curved pinnacles.

Sambisari Temple, buried until its 1966 discovery, preserves ratnas in excellent condition due to volcanic ash protection. These examples show fine detail work, including miniature architectural elements carved into each pinnacle’s surface.

Eastern Javanese temples from after 1000 CE sometimes replaced ratnas with cube structures, marking regional stylistic evolution. However, Central Javanese temples like Ijo maintained the classic curved ratna form, connecting them to earlier architectural traditions.

Symbolic Functions Beyond Decoration

Ratnas serve multiple symbolic functions within temple complexes. They mark the temple’s vertical axis, creating visual focal points that draw eyes upward—a physical manifestation of spiritual aspiration. The repetitive pattern of smaller ratnas surrounding a central pinnacle reinforces concepts of unity and multiplicity found in Hindu philosophy.

The jewel metaphor embedded in the Sanskrit term carries theological significance. Just as precious gems reflect light, ratnas symbolize how temples reflect divine presence into the material world. The stone pinnacles capture sunlight throughout the day, creating changing patterns that ancient architects understood as representing cosmic cycles.

In ritual contexts, the ratna-crowned roof defined sacred airspace above the garbhagriha (inner sanctum). Priests conducting ceremonies understood the vertical alignment from the linga-yoni below through the building’s core to the ratna above as creating an axis mundi—the cosmic center connecting all realms of existence.

Preservation and Modern Significance

Ijo Temple underwent restoration efforts beginning with Dutch archaeological work in 1886. Modern conservation focuses on stabilizing original ratnas while replacing severely eroded pinnacles with faithful reproductions.

The main temple’s ratnas show varying degrees of weathering. Exposur to centuries of tropical monsoons, temperature variations, and seismic activity from Java’s active volcanoes has degraded some surfaces. Conservation teams use traditional stone-cutting techniques to create replacement pieces that match original dimensions and styling.

Tourism to Ijo Temple has increased substantially, with the site offering panoramic views across Yogyakarta and unique sunset vantage points. The relatively intact ratna arrangement makes Ijo valuable for studying temple architecture, as many comparable sites have lost their original roof ornaments.

Comparing Ratna to Other Temple Pinnacles

The Hindu ratna tradition contrasts with other South and Southeast Asian temple crowning elements. Buddhist stupas in Java, such as those at Borobudur, use bell-shaped domes with layered umbrellas (chatras) representing stages of enlightenment. The geometric difference immediately distinguishes religious affiliations.

In Bengal temple architecture, particularly from the 15th-17th centuries, “ratna style” temples multiplied the number of pinnacles dramatically. Pancha-ratna temples featured five towers, nava-ratna had nine, and elaborate examples reached twenty-five pinnacles. However, these Bengali ratnas served different architectural functions than Javanese examples, sitting atop terracotta structures rather than stone pyramids.

Thai and Cambodian temple architecture developed prang spires instead of ratnas. These corn-cob shaped towers share symbolic functions but emerged from different design traditions. The cross-cultural comparison highlights how each region adapted Indian architectural concepts to local contexts and materials.

Ratna Elements in Temple Restoration

Modern restoration projects face challenges maintaining ratna authenticity while ensuring structural stability. Original ratnas sometimes require reinforcement to prevent collapse, but interventions must remain invisible to preserve historical integrity.

Restoration teams at Ijo Temple documented each ratna’s dimensions, weathering patterns, and mounting techniques before conservation work. This data helps archaeologists understand construction methods and guides reproduction of missing elements. Stone sourcing presents particular challenges, as modern quarries don’t always provide andesite matching the original’s composition and color.

The Indonesian government’s heritage preservation standards require that restored temple elements use traditional techniques wherever possible. For ratnas, this means hand-carving replacement stones rather than employing modern cutting equipment, a time-intensive process that requires specialized artisan skills.

Architectural Influence and Legacy

The ratna tradition established at sites like Ijo influenced later Indonesian architecture. Balinese Hindu temples continue using meru towers with multiple tiers, though these structures employ wood and thatch rather than stone. The conceptual link to Ijo’s ratna-crowned roof remains evident in the tiered profiles.

During the 1930s restoration movement in Indonesia, architects studied temples like Ijo to understand original construction techniques. This research informed the anastylosis method—reconstructing ruins using maximum original material—that guided later temple restoration across Java.

Contemporary Indonesian architects occasionally reference ratna forms in modern buildings seeking connection to historical traditions. The stepped-pyramid profile with ascending pinnacles appears in cultural centers and government buildings, translated into concrete and steel but maintaining symbolic resonance with sacred architecture.

Visiting Ijo Temple’s Ratnas

Visitors to Ijo Temple can observe ratnas from the main courtyard, where the elevated position allows clear views of the roof profiles. Early morning or late afternoon light creates strong shadows that emphasize the three-dimensional quality of each pinnacle.

The temple compound includes interpretive signage explaining ratna symbolism and construction. Local guides familiar with temple architecture provide additional context about specific design elements and their religious significance. Photography is permitted throughout the site, enabling detailed documentation of ratna conditions and arrangements.

The temple’s hilltop location means ratnas appear silhouetted against sky rather than obscured by surrounding vegetation. This visibility makes Ijo particularly valuable for studying temple pinnacle design compared to lowland sites where canopy growth limits viewing angles.

Ratna in Contemporary Hindu Practice

Modern Hindu ceremonies conducted at Ijo Temple acknowledge the symbolic importance of ratna-crowned structures. The vertical axis they establish remains relevant to ritual practice, with offerings and prayers directed upward through the temple’s core toward the pinnacles above.

Indonesian Hindu communities view ratnas as markers of authentic temple architecture. New temples constructed in Java and Bali often incorporate ratna elements, maintaining continuity with historical traditions. The specific form may vary based on regional preferences, but the conceptual importance of crowning sacred buildings with jewel-like pinnacles persists.

Religious scholars interpret ratnas as teaching tools that make abstract theological concepts visible. The progression from multiple smaller pinnacles to a single large central ratna illustrates how Hindu philosophy reconciles multiplicity with ultimate unity—many paths leading to one truth.

The preservation of temples like Ijo ensures that future generations can study ratna architecture directly rather than through texts and photographs. This tangible connection to architectural heritage supports both scholarly research and living religious traditions that continue evolving while honoring historical foundations.

Ijo Temple’s ratnas demonstrate how architectural elements carry layered meanings—simultaneously decorative, structural, symbolic, and ritual. These stone pinnacles, shaped by 10th-century craftsmen, connect contemporary visitors to ancient cosmological concepts while showcasing the technical sophistication of Mataram Kingdom builders. Their survival through centuries of weathering and seismic activity testifies to both the quality of original construction and the importance communities place on preserving sacred architecture.

Data Sources:

1. Wikipedia – Candi of Indonesia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candi_of_Indonesia)
2. Wikipedia – Ijo Temple (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijo_Temple)
3. Wikipedia – Hindu Temple Architecture (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_temple_architecture)
4. Wikipedia – Prambanan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan)