Rakai Kayuwangi

Śrī Mahārāja Rakai Kayuwangi Dyah Lokapāla Śrī Sajjanotsavatuṅga was the seventh monarch of the Mataram kingdom of Central Java period (commonly referred to as Mataram kingdom) who ruled between 855 and 885. His birthname was Lokapāla, as indicated by the title dyah or pu that precedes it. He was also commonly referred to by his appanage title Rakai Kayuwangi, which means 'Lord of Kayuwangi'. King Lokapāla was described as a valiant king who defeated his enemies.

Name and Titles His name at birth was Lokapāla (according several inscriptions, such as Shivagrha, Argapura and Wanua Tengah III). In the Mantyasih inscription dated to 907, he is named as Rakai Kayuwangi, while the Wanua Tengah III inscription gives both his birthname Lokapāla and his title Kayuwangi.

The name Lokapāla is probably linked to the Lokapala, the Hindu guardian gods of directions. The appellation Rakai Kayuwangi is a title, not a personal name; during his reign as king of Java, Lokapāla was the Rakai (ancient Javanese title equivalent to a lord or duke) of Kayuwangi district.

Reign The Wanua Tengah III inscription states that Lokapāla mounted the throne on 8 June 855. According to this inscription, the temple was built to honor Lord Shiva, and its original name was Shiva-grha (the House of Shiva).

According to the Sejarah Nasional Indonesia interpretation of the Shivagrha inscription, Lokapāla was chosen as the successor of his father, namely Sang Jatiningrat, which was the title Rakai Pikatan had assumed after he abdicated and retreated as a brahmin. Lokapāla was the successor of king Salaḍū Rakai Pikatan, believed by some from his queen consort Pramodawardhani.