The establishment of Tien Kok Sie Temple at Jalan RE Martadinata Solo, Central Java can not be separated from the trading center. Wherever the Chinese population is always close to the market. So not far from the center of the trade will also stand the temple building. This is evident with the classical of Chinese architectural building with the dominant color of the glowing red and golden yellow that is stood firmly until now in the central commercial area, precisely in the south of Gede Hardjonagoro Market or better known as Gede Market.

The place of worship for Tri Dharma (Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism) hs been more than 300 years old. Built around 1748, three years after the Surakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate Palace, was established in 1745. The temple as a place of worship of the citizens and people of Chinese descent was originally located in Kartasura, Sukoharjo, Central Java.

Because of Pecinan (Chinese ethnic battle against the Dutch) in Kartasura made the palace must move to Sala Village (the place that is now built Surakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate Palace). As the royal capital moved, the center of the nagari, including the center of the crowd (market), was also moved as well as the temple.




Tien Kok Sie Temple stands on an area of ​​250 square meters. Behind the temple, there is Kali Pepe, a small port for access to trade entry into Solo. Kali Pepe which leads to Bengawan Solo is a means of transporting traders from various regions to Solo. Since the first construction, the building of Tien Kok Sie Temple only experienced minor improvements, considering the building of the temple as a protected cultural heritage.

The structure of the temple with house host of Kwan She Im Poo Sat is still original. It is seen on two statues of lions that are outside the entrance and wood on the temple building.




Tien Kok Sie Temple has two functions. First, the cultural function. Culture function is not separated with the existence of religion, namely to pray the people of Tri Dharma. The temple is also a center of Chinese culture. While the second temple function is social. Temple is as a place to interact among Chinese people. So, in the morning before the Chinese traders go to work, they stop first to the temple. In the temple, they will talk about business or work, as well as exchange of information and memory.



Article Source: http://regional.kompas.com/