Kala

Kala is a Sanskrit word. It means time. The ancient Javanese culture sometimes refers to the process of growing old as being eaten by Kala.

In Javanese Hindu mythology, Kala is the god of destruction, husband to Durga. Kala is depicted as giant, born of the sperm of Bathara Guru, the kings of gods.

In Borobudur, the gates to the stairs is adorned with a giant head, making the gate look like the open mouth of the giant. Many other gates in Javanese traditional buildings have this kind of ornament. Phylosophically, it serves as a reminder to those entering the gates, that all living beings are being eaten by Kala, or time.