The magnificent Borobudur temple is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument. Candi Borobudur is located in Magelang on the island of central Java, and draws visitors from all over the world. This is one of world’s truly great ancient monuments, comprising well-preserved stairways, terraces, gateways and various stone reliefs. This temple becomes a center of worship for Buddhist in Indonesia. According to historians, the name of Borobudur comes from the Sanskrit ‘Vihara Buddha Uhr’ or the ‘Buddhist monastery on the hill’.
The temple was built around 800 BC or 9th century during the reign of Sailendra dynasty by Samaratungga, King of old Mataram Kingdom. It has been listed as one of the cultural heritage of UNESCO. Borobudur temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and decorated with relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies. The great stupa at the top of the temple sits 40 meters above the ground. This main dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa. It covers an enormous area measuring 123 x 123 meters and it was built without using any kind of cement. The structure of this massive architecture is like a set of interlocking lego blocks held together without any glue.
The ten levels of the temple symbolize the three divisions of the religion’s cosmic system. As visitors begin their journey at the base of the temple, they make their way to the top of the monument through the three levels of Budhist cosmology, Kamadhatu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). Kamadhatu, the base of Borobudur, symbolize human beings that are still bound by desire. Rupadhatu, the four levels above Kamadhatu, symbolizes man who had been able to break free from desire but still bound to manner and form. On this terrace, Buddha statues are placed in open space. Three levels above it, the Buddha statues are placed in a stupa with diamond-shaped holes around it. Arupadhatu, symbolizing man who has been free from desire, appearance, form and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.
The temple is decorated with stone-carvings in bas relief representing images from the life and teaching of Buddha, the legendary story of Ramayana and the condition of society at that time.
This awe inspiring monument is truly a marvel. After visiting Borobudur, I understand why it is becomes one of Indonesia’s most famous icon of cultural heritage. With all its grandeur, Borobudur is the evidence of human intelligence has ever made in Indonesia.
Thanks to this post. I have an Indonesia plan this year. And this post makes me excited. hihihi.
i feel so excited. hahaha..
It seems so.. :p Enjoy your trip!
Haha,., You’ll love it for sure! Have a happy and safe trip!
Awesome photos! I was there in 2010 and indeed Borubudor is a masterpiece of grandeur.
Thanks, Tonette! Agree!
excited for my trip!
I’ll be visiting this temple during sunset. Hope to get an afterglow shot too. hehe
Have a happy and safe trip, Izah!
Wow, 800 BC yet those looked very stable. I wonder if they are maintaining it or it’s naturally strong? Anyways nice photos as always!
Thanks Ada! They’re maintaining it. I was also surprised that it’s still in good shape.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site – no wonder its a must see in Indonesia. I wonder how they maintain it since its just a lego-kind built after all these years… its an architectural wonder!
I’m impressed on how they made this masterpiece, Ian.
Looks uncrowded! It was a holiday when we were there, and there were so many students hanging out in the candi
Lucky me! It was not that crowded when I was there.
ganda ng mga shots Bino. baket parang walan tao nung kinuhaan mu toh? oang swerte naman, ako noon, sangkatutak ang turista! kahet anong anggulo ang hirap kuhaan nung Buddha. hehe
Thanks, Gael! Mga 2-3 pm yata kami pumunta diyan.. During sunset or/and sunrise yata crowded ang Borobudur.
Swerte na nga rin na kunti lang kasabay namin pumunta dun.
This was by far my FAVOURITE temple I have EVER visited. I LOVED Borobudur. I want to return and experience it all over again. I also fell in love with Yogyakarta, but I had an amazing host who made my experience what it was. He drove me to the temple on his motorbike at 3AM so I could see it at sunrise only to get a flat tire en route!! haha But this temple holds such beauty. Fantastic Photos! YOu really did capture the magic that is Borobudur.
Thanks, Chrystal! Borobudur is one of my favorite too.