caṇḍi

Old Javanese

Etymology

Attested in the Hariwangsa (1135 AD) and Nagarakretagama (1365 AD) as caṇḍi. It is presumed that the word is related to Sanskrit चण्डी (caṇḍī) as one of the manifestations of the goddess Durga as the goddess of death, although association of the name candi, candika or durga with Hindu-Buddhist temples is unknown in India and other parts of Southeast Asia outside of Indonesia, such as Cambodia, Thailand, or Burma. It is presumed that the word was came from clipping of Sanskrit चण्डिकागृह (caṇḍikāgṛha, “temple of Durga”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃandʰi/
• Hyphenation: can‧di

Noun

caṇḍi

1. temple
2. sanctuary (in which the deity descends, worshipped, and made contact with those who are blessed)

Descendants

• Javanese: ꦕꦤ꧀ꦝꦶ (candhi)
  • → Indonesian: candi
• → Balinese: ᬘᬡ᭄ᬟᬶ (candi)

Further reading

• “caṇḍi” in Javanese Cultural Dictionary [Kamus Budaya Jawa], Central Java: The Linguistic Center of Central Java [Balai Bahasa Provinsi Jawa Tengah], 2021.