Fact Check: Is This Ancient Temple Candi Layang Really in Central Java?
A viral video claiming to show a newly discovered ancient temple in Central Java has been debunked as false. Fact-checkers confirmed the footage actually depicts the Kailasa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Maharashtra, India.
Why it matters
The spread of misinformation regarding cultural heritage sites can distort historical understanding and highlights the necessity of digital verification.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A video claiming to show the discovery of a new historical site in Central Java has been circulating on social media platforms—including X [archive], TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram (account 1, account 2)—since July 27, 2026. The video depicts a massive temple complex situated amidst rice fields. The posts claim the structure is Candi Layang (Layang Temple), a relic of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom.Is the structure shown in the video actually Candi Layang, discovered in Central Java?FACT CHECKTempo verified the claim using reverse image searches and by consulting credible news sources. The findings reveal that the structure in the video is not Candi Layang from Central Java, but rather the Ellora Caves complex in the state of Maharashtra, India.Kailasa Temple, Part of the Ellora Caves ComplexThe structure shown in the video exhibits the characteristics of a massive temple carved directly from a single rocky hill (rock-cut architecture).
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