Taman Ken Dedes

On the northern boundary of Malang City and Regency on North General Ahmad Yani Street no.4, there stood an 8 meter tall Ken Dedes Statue in Kendedes Park. This statue faced the west towards the village of Panawijen, now known as the Polowijen area, which according to folklore was the place where Ken Dedes was born and grew into a beautiful woman before she was taken as Akuwu Tinggul Ametung’s wife and then brought to Tumapel.

The statue resembles exactly as the Ken Dedes Statue which now remains in a museum. Ken Dedes, Sang Prajnaparamita was in the form of meditating state, sitting cross-legged with a hand gesture in front of her chest. Showing no expression other than a calm face, full of lull, peace and wisdom. The surface of the statue was painted in bronze.

According to folklore, Ken Dedes was a daughter of Mpu Purwa, a famous Mahayana Buddhist priest. She was previously known as the wife of Tunggul Ametung, and later Ken Arok who succeeded in eliminating Tunggul Ametung. Ken Dedes had children who became kings across Java Island and the archipelago. Obedience to religion as well as her wise attitude made Ken Dedes become a symbol of the Goddess of Wisdom for Mahayana Buddhists in her time.

Berada di tapal batas Utara Kota dan Kabupaten Malang di Jl. Jendral Ahmad Yani Utara no.4, terdapat Patung Ken Dedes di Taman Kendedes setinggi 8 meter. Patung ini menghadap Barat ke arah Desa Panawijen, sekarang dikenal sebagai wilayah Polowijen, yang menurut kisah rakyat merupakan tempat kelahiran dan tumbuhnya Ken Dedes menjadi gadis dewasa yang cantik sebelum dibawa Akuwu Tunggul Ametung ke Tumapel.

Patung Ken Dedes tersebut persis menyerupai arca Ken Dedes yang sekarang dimuseumkan, menampilkan Ken Dedes yang sedang duduk sila dengan gestur tangan di depan dada. Ia tidak menampilkan ekspresi selain wajah tenang penuh keteduhan, kedamaian dan kebijaksanaan. Permukaan patung dicat dengan warna perunggu.

Menurut kisah, Ken Dedes adalah putri Mpu Purwa, seorang pendeta Budha Mahayana. Ken Dedes adalah istri dari Tunggul Ametung dan kemudian menjadi istri Ken Angrok yang berhasil menghabisi Tunggul Ametung. Ken Dedes memiliki keturunan anak-anak yang menjadi raja-raja di pulau Jawa dan menguasai Nusantara kemudian. Ketaatan pada agama dan keterangannya serta sikapnya yang bijaksana, Ken Dedes menjadi lambang Dewi Kebijaksanaan bagi pemeluk Budha Mahayana pada jamannya.

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