About
Arca Dhumilak is an ancient Hindu-Buddhist sanctuary in Surabaya, the capital of East Java, Indonesia. It is a place for visitors interested in the island's history before the arrival of Islam, and in the stone art that survives from that period.
What you will see
The site holds stone sculptures and relief carvings that represent pre-Islamic Javanese civilization. Their importance is archaeological: they give a direct view of the religious and artistic life of earlier Javanese communities, which blended Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
- Stone sculptures from the sanctuary
- Relief carvings that record the visual culture of the period
- A setting that suits slow, attentive looking rather than a quick stop
Why visit
Arca Dhumilak suits anyone curious about Indonesia's older religious heritage, students of Southeast Asian archaeology, and travellers who want a quieter counterpoint to a city visit. Because the sculptures and carvings are the main draw, it rewards those who take time to read the details of each piece.
Around the site
The sanctuary lies within Surabaya, so it can be combined with other parts of the city. Surabaya is East Java's largest urban centre, and a visit to the temple fits easily into a day of sightseeing across the city and its surrounding area.