Guarding since the 13th century

Two about 3.70 meter tall dvarapala (guards) can be found close to the remains of Candi Singosari (12 km north of Malang, East Java).

The ornament of the giant dvarapalas is made of snakes and skulls, reinforcing their frightening character and probably referring to King Kertanegara being a follower of Tantric Buddhism, a blending of Shivite Hinduism and Buddhism known for its brutal rites steeped in the black arts.