Download Temple Run For Java
Merry Hurtz
It covers an enormous area, measuring 123 x 123 meters. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stonework of this temple has no equal. And it was built without using any kind of cement or mortar! The structure is like a set of massive interlocking Lego blocks held together without any glue.
The temple is decorated with stone carvings in bas-relief representing images from the life of Buddha. Commentators claim that this is the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit.
The temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Built between AD 780 and 840 during the reign of Syailendra dynasty, the temple's design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region. However, there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.
It covers a total surface area of around 2,500 m2 of Kedu Valley, the southern part of Central Java. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally 504 Buddha statues, surrounded by green area. The architecture and stonework of this temple have no equal. It was built without using any cement or mortar. The structure is like a set of massive interlocking Lego blocks held together without any glue. It is no wonder that Borobudur is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
When you plan to visit Borobudur temple, it is recommended to explore the site on foot. You may choose to walk through Green Park from the entrance. Many vendors will offer you souvenirs and other knick-knacks as you walk through this area. You can also find some Indonesian traditional souvenirs such as batik, traditional clothes of Indonesia and other interesting small display statues. Although there are regulations to prevent them from disturbing visitors, it is recommended to buy some traditional souvenirs that they sell to remember the beauty of Borobudur temple.
As you climb to the top of this magnificent temple, you will marvel at the intricately detailed stone carvings displayed on its walls. You also need to pay attention to certain etiquettes when visiting this cultural site, such as dressing nicely, avoiding any kind of vandalism, keeping your attitude, respecting the religious activities that you may find when you are there and lastly, do not over-pose when taking pictures. If you happen to wear shorts during your visit, you may have to borrow sarong and wear it around your hips.
While you are at the site, make sure to learn about its history and importance, which are captured on its many reliefs. Guides are available to help you learn more about this monument with some language options, so you do not need to worry about deepening your historical understanding of Borobudur temple. They will be able to walk you around the site and explain the history of the temple, beginning with its construction during the Syailendra dynasty and explaining each detail of it. The stone carvings attached to the temple display legends and stories, which have great philosophical significance.
When you arrive at the parking site, usually you need to walk to get to the entrance gate. For international tourists, you need to prepare for 350,000 rupiahs or 25 USD to get the tickets. If you still need to buy some snacks, there are other street vendors that sell traditional cuisine of Central Java which you might have never tasted before. Entering the temple compound is easy, and most visitors choose to wander around on foot. Alternatively, you can chart a horse-drawn carriage at a reasonable price. Those cruise passengers who disembark at Semarang can also take a day tour driving through Wonosobo to Borobudur.
The temple complexes of Borobudur and Prambanan are justifiably popular but nearby, several easily-accessible smaller temples for the keen temple-phile to discover. They see far fewer tourists and are certainly worth visiting.
Viewing the sunrise or sunset with the temples in the foreground is an attraction for many visitors. If you want to visit Borobudur for sunrise, a ticket which includes sunrise access will cost US$34 (500,000 IDR). The tickets need to be purchased at the Manohara Hotel which is the start point for everyone partaking in this special access. You will be led to the dedicated sunrise entrance point and enter the complex at 4.30am (depending on the time of year the sun rises over Borobudur between 5.09am and 5.52am).
Located on the Prambanan Plain (along with the temples below), this 9th-century collection of Hindu temples is dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti; Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer, a trio of gods often referred to as the Great Trinity or Hindu Triad. Known locally as Roro Jonggrang, Prambanan is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia and although its proximity to Borobudur leads to comparisons the styles are very different.
Like Borobudur, Prambanan was lost to the world for centuries and was rediscovered by the Dutch explorer, C A Lons, in 1733. Prambanan was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991, a listing which includes 240 temples that form Prambanan Archaeological Park.
As with Borobudur, Prambanan is popular with tourists, but the temples here are more spread out over a larger area so it is easier to wander off in a different direction. All of the temples at Prambanan are worth exploring but the most impressive are those dedicated to the gods of the Trimurti. There are vivid and elaborate scenes carved on the lower reaches of several of the temples, many depicting scenes from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
Probably the most impressive of the smaller temples on the Prambanan Plain, Sambisari was accidentally discovered in the mid-1960s by a local farmer. Excavation work involved digging beneath centuries-old layers of volcanic ash and that is why the temple appears to be below ground level. Sambisari is located about 10 kilometres east of downtown Jogja.
Kalasan is one of the oldest Buddhist temples on the Prambanan Plain. It is located just over the road from Sari temple. Not as well maintained as other temples on the Plain, Kalasan is none the less worth a quick peek to see the decorative doorways.
Candi Sewu is within the same grounds at Prambanan Temple but is technically a complex in its own right. Dating back to the 8th century, it is notable as the second-largest Buddhist temple complex in Java (after Borobudur). Like Prambanan, Sewu has lots of intricate carvings but as surprisingly few tourists both to continue to Sewu you can usually enjoy them in peace.
This northeastern group of temples is 3km from the Prambanan complex. Built around the same time as the main temples, there are two identical temples with elaborate carvings featuring both Buddhist and Hindu insignia. It can be reached on foot (or by bicycle or taxi) by taking the road north from the main gate, about a kilometre east of Candi Sewu.
The Kraton Ratu Boko complex is open daily from 6am to 5pm. An adult ticket for Ratu Boko costs the rupiah equivalent of US$25 (US$15 for children). You can get a combined ticket with EITHER Prambanan OR Borobudur for US$45, but not one that allows entrance to all three major temple complexes.
The best time to visit the Yogyakarta temples is during the dry season which usually runs from April under October. On the upside, rainy season (November to March) sees far fewer visitors and can lead to some dramatic photographs on account of the mean and moody skies.
This post was first published on 1 July 2015 and was fully updated with up-to-date entrances fees and expanded on in June 2020. The temple parks are currently closed due to the pandemic but are reported to be re-opening soon. You can check here.
Borobudur disappeared for a long time under the vegetation of Java. Only in 1814 the temple was rediscovered. There were some restorations and excavations that took place in the nineteenth century, but the first real restoration dates from 1907-1911. The second major restoration took place between 1973 and 1984, and was funded by UNESCO. Borobudur was placed on the World Heritage List in 1991, along with Prambanan.
Borobudur is situated about an hour outside of Yogyakarta. You can either stay in Yogyakarta and take a tour to the temple, or you can stay near Borobudur (which is what we did). If you want to see the sunrise, then it is recommended to stay at the Manohara hotel (see down below), as all sunrise tours leave from here. Otherwise you would have to get up extremely early, as you have to gather at Manohara before 4.30am to join in on the sunrise tour.
Keep in mind, you have to be lucky to see an actual beautiful sunrise. About 80% of the time it is very cloudy, so when we were there it was cloudy as well. The sunrise was a bit disappointing when I was there, because of the weather and also because of the giant groups of tourists. Nevertheless, I think this was a once in a lifetime experience: how often do see the sunrise? It was amazing when I went to another corner of the temple, where there were no tourists, and enjoyed the scenery and the sounds of the call to prayer in silence.
Usually, I provide a number of options for your stay, but in this case I can only recommend one hotel for the best experience in Borobudur. We stayed at Manohara, a hotel that is actually located on top of the Borobudur complex itself. This makes it easy for you to visit the temple whenever you want.
Yogyakarta, or Yogya as the locals call it, is an important city in central Java. Known for its location close to the important temples Prambanan and Borobudur, but it is definitely worth a visit and the city is very much loved by the tourists. For example, visit the royal palace, watch a traditional show, or go shopping for some great souvenirs!
Indonesia is a country which is known for tourism as it is known for its delicious food, culture, islands, and java is one of the best islands to visit in Indonesia as this island offers a lot to appreciate a must visited the island for every 1.
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