Candi Tikus located in the hamlet Dinuk, Temon Village, District Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java, about 13 km in the southeast city of Mojokerto. From the highway Mojokerto and Jombang, at the intersection Trowulan, turned east, past the pool Segaran and Bajangratu temple located on the left of the road. Candi Tikus also located on the left side of the road, about 600 m from the Temple Bajangratu.
Rat Temple originally been buried in the ground was rediscovered in 1914. Excavations conducted based on the report's website Regent Mojokerto, R.A.A. Kromojoyo Adinegoro, about the discovery of a miniature temple in a cemetery people. Thorough restoration carried out in 1984 and 1985. The name 'Rat' is just a term that is used by local communities. That said, when it is found, where the temple is located is a rat's nest.
Resources have not obtained written clearly explains about when, for what, and by whom the Rat Temple was built. However, with their miniature estimated temple tower was built between 13 to 14 century AD, as a miniature tower is characteristic of architecture of that period.
Candi Tikus shape that resembles an petirtaan invite debate among historians and archeology of the function. Some experts argue that this temple is petirtaan, showers royal family, but there are some experts who argue that the building as a shelter and distribution of water for residents Trowulan. However, the Meru-shaped towers led to speculation that the temple also serves as a place of worship.
Rat Temple building resembles a petirtaan or baths, a pool with several buildings in it. Most of the buildings or rectangular with a size of 29.5 m x 28.25 m, is made of red bricks. What is interesting, is its lesser of about 3.5 m above the surrounding land. On the top surface are about 75 cm-wide corridor that surrounds the building. In the inside, down about 1 m, there is a wider walkways around the poolside. The entrance to the temple there on the north side, in the form of stair width of 3.5 m heading to the bottom of the pool.
On the left and right foot of the stairs there is a rectangular pool measuring 3.5 m x 2 m with a depth of 1.5 m. On the outer wall of each pond were lined three lotus-shaped fountains (lotus) made of andesite.
Right facing the stairs, rather go to the south side, there is a rectangular building with a size of 7.65 m x 7.65 m. On top of this building there is a 'tower' as high as about 2 m with Meru shaped roof with a flat top. The tower is located in the center of the building is surrounded by eight towers similar smaller ones. Around the walls of the building lined 17 feet of the lotus-shaped fountains and makara.
Another interesting point is the existence of two types of bricks of different sizes are used in the construction of this temple. Walking temple consists of large-sized red brick structure covered with red brick structure that is smaller. In addition to the foot of the building, the shower water contained in the temple This is of two types, made of brick and stone andesite.
The difference of the building materials used led to speculation that the Rat Temple was built by stages. In the first phase of construction of the temple's foot red brick used large, while in the second stage used red bricks smaller. In other words, the red brick larger older than the age of the smaller ones. Fountain made of red brick expected to be made in the first stage, because its still stiff. Shower of andesite finer sculpture is estimated to be made in the second phase. However, it is not known for certain
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