Pawon

Pawon can refer to more than one thing in Javanese and Indonesian contexts. In the Javanese language, pawon means kitchen, a common term used in households and local place names. The term also designates Candi Pawon, a Buddhist temple in Central Java, Indonesia, which is part of the Borobudur temple complex.

Candi Pawon is a small 8th–9th-century temple located near Borobudur and Mendut temples in Magelang Regency, Central Java. It is traditionally considered part of the Buddhist ritual circuit associated with Borobudur and Mendut, and its name is often linked to local language usage, though the exact origin of the name in this context remains a topic of scholarly discussion. The temple dates to the Sailendra period and is constructed of red brick using a simple, compact design.

Architecturally, Pawon is built as a modest brick structure with a square plan. It has entrances on multiple sides and a single interior chamber that is generally described as housing a Buddha statue. The exterior is relatively plain, with geometric brickwork that reflects common Central Javanese Buddhist temple styling of the era. The temple is part of the set of monuments that travelers often visit together with Mendut and Borobudur.

Today, Candi Pawon is a protected cultural heritage site and a component of the Borobudur World Heritage Area. It receives visitors as part of the broader Borobudur archaeological park, and ongoing conservation efforts aim to preserve its brick construction and historical integrity.