TOURISM IN THE WORLD: Central Java

Prambanan Temple is the biggest Hindu Temple in Indonesia. Height of the temple was about 47 meters. The temple was situated about 17 kilometers from East Yogyakarta. Prambanan Temple square was built by the Kings of Sanjaya Dynasty in 9 of century. Prambanan Temple was temples square where the main temple was direct to East. As a whole, the temple was like a mount. A mount like figure in the wayang (puppet play) that symbolizing the Universe.

Hinduism followers believe that the temple was Trimurti, which comprise with God Brahma as the Almighty Creator, God Wisnu (Vishnu) as the Caretaker God, and God Siwa (Shiva) as the Vandal God. The main temple was Temple of God Siwa where situated in the centre of the temple, the temple where situated in South side was Temple of God Brahma, and the temple where situated in North side was Temple of God Wisnu. Temple of God Siwa was the main temple, and then may simply that Prambanan Temple was the Temple of God Siwa.

In front of the temple was situated the temples of Wahana or mount (riding animal) of each Gods. The temples also called as Trimurti Mount. Comprise with Temple of Nandi, Temple of Angkasa, and Temple of Garuda. Nandi is a buffalo that mounted by God Siwa. Angkasa is a swan mounted by God Brahma. And Garuda is an eagle that mounted by God Wisnu.

By finding the writings of Pikatan name on the temple, it makes an opinion that the temple was built by Rakai Pikatan and then finished by Rakai Balitung. It was building on the epigraph that has inscribing 856 after date in ancient Java writings. It was called “Prasasti Siwargraha” or “Ancient Inscription of Siwargraha” as a politic manifest to strengthen his position as a great king. Today “Prasasti Siwargraha” is saved in National Museum of Jakarta.

An epigraphist, J.G. de Casparis is success in analyze and discussed it. According to Casparis, there are three important things in the ancient inscription. That is; the language is the oldest example of the ancient inscription that wrote in ancient Java writings. And it was filled by the important history that happening in 9 of century. The history was about warfare among Balaputeradewa from Sailendra family versus Rakai Pikatan from Sanjaya family. Balaputeradewa was defeated by Rakai Pikatan and then Balaputeradewa run away to Sumatera Island. The consolidation of Rakai Pikatan family then becomes the beginning of new time that need to be celebrated by build a temple, and that was Prambanan Temple.

Prambanan Temple or Temple of God Siwa also often called as Temple of Roro Jonggrang. It linked with the legend that telling about a tall woman and also a Prabu Boko’s daughter. She builds her empire on the hill in the south side of Prambanan Temple.
In the temple side was bounded by stone balcony fence, which dotted with Ramayana relief that can to read if we are “berperadaksina” or walk around the temple in clockwise. The story was continued to stone balcony fence of God Brahma Temple. Whereas on the stone balcony fence of God Wishnu Temple was chiseled relief that telling about Kresnadipayana, the relief describe a story about a tender age of Prabu Kresna as God Wishnu’s incarnation.

The main temple chamber was situated queen consort of God Siwa, but generally the Hinduism followers call as Roro Jonggrang statue. By following the legend, the statue was living body of the beautiful princess, which was cursed by a knight Bandung Bondowoso. Roro Jonggrang promise that if Bandung Bondowoso can create one thousands sculpture in one night only then she would marry him. But Roro Jonggrang was disavowing her promise. So, Bandung Bondowoso curses Roro Jonggrang.

The temple restoration is continued to do. Temple of God Brahma was starting in 1977 and finished in 23rd March 1987, opened by Prof. Dr. Haryati Soebandio. Temple of God Wisnu was restored in 1982 and finished in 27th April 1991, at the time the temple opened by President Soeharto. The next restoration activity was restoring three temples that situated in front of Temple of God Siwa, Temple of God Brahma, and Temple of God Wisnu.

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As buildings that ever included in seven wonder of the world, Borobudur Temple was built by use more or less 55.000 m3 of stone. Buildings height was about 42 m, and width about 123 m. The temple that attain the age 12 of century mounted to the sky erectly and sturdily. Not a vestige of evidence why Borobudur temple become full of the darkness. Age of determining has done by observe the basic color of Borobudur Temple. Also by observe the carved object that indicate the pattern of Central Java in 8 century after date.

Since the temple was built in 8 of century after date, Borobudur Temple history was rise and set. Borobudur Temple becomes a research center and development place for Buddhist. All of this religion follower visit Borobudur Temple to study about Buddhist. The entire of Borobudur relief was containing about Buddhist precept. In those days Borobudur Temple become an attention place and a worship place as holy buildings.

But, all of it was ephemeral. Coincide with lessening of Buddhist; Borobudur Temple was left by the followers. After the Sailendra Dynasty was disappearing, Borobudur has no news about more. Borobudur Temple becomes terminated by the darkness for centuries. There is no more news or story about Borobudur Temple after those.

Borobudur Temple architecture was very interest and very unique, comprise of three main buildings. That was foundation section, middle section, and top section of the temple that called Stupa (dome enclosing an effigy of Buddha). Relief was carved in the wall of the temple. The relief was telling about a scene or story. There are thousands of relief and hundreds of sculpture in Borobudur Temple.

There is a unique thing, be in fact that Borobudur Temple has architecture with interesting format or highly structured in mathematics. Every foundation section, middle section, and top section of the temple has 4:6:9 ratio. Placement of the Stupa has a meaning also. And other amazing thing was the relief concerned with astrology. More, the obvious, Borobudur Temple built by no cement even a little, but use albumin of hen egg. No bodies that know how many hen eggs are used to gluing the stones of Borobudur Temple. All of it give evidence that Borobudur was already has a comprehensive culture. And Borobudur Temple is an evidence of history that very interest to learn.

Caused by movement of empire center, from Central Java to East Java. Borobudur becomes ownerless automatically. Traces of volcano eruption that cover Borobudur Temple make the temple become a grassy place, little trees was growing up and make Borobudur Temple become a mound that covered by thicket and look eerie.

In 18 of century, Governor of United Kingdom, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles receive a report about the massive temple that covered by thicket. Then he call his officer, H.C. Cornelius to visit the massive temple, that was Borobudur Temple. The thicket was cleaned, until appear a massive temple with hundreds of Budha sculpture. The temple condition was breaking the heart. There are so many section was fall out. There are so many sculpture was broken. So regrettable, United Kingdom Government was not going on for a long time. Research and effort to restore Borobudur Temple become unfinished again. Eventhough, Borobudur Temple become a place where many people come to visit the temple.

Government of Dutch-Hindia was being in command again. But, not all of man have a good purpose. Many beautiful sculptures and many beautiful temple sections was stolen by greedy and bad human in the Government of Dutch-Hindia. One of the examples was in 1896. Government of Dutch-Hindia, by passing Resident of Kedu, steals tens of sculpture and some of Borobudur Temple section that very beautiful to presented for King of Siam. King of Siam, Chulalangkon that ever visiting Borobudur Temple. Today, all of so much worth the thing from Borobudur saved in Museum of Bangkok, Thailand.

In 1907 to 1011, Borobudur Temple was restored by Government of Dutch-Hindia. The leader of this reparation was Th. Van Erp. A Netherlands engineer and talented. He has a serious attention for Borobudur Temple in the future. Great expense was available. The result of Van Erp’s effort was very satisfying. Again and again, nature condition was unpreventable. Rain, bird feces, and earthquake always make Borobudur has to fixed. Finally, in 10th August 1973, the Government of Republic Indonesia repair the Borobudur Temple massively. That restoration was well done and satisfying. As the result, today we can enjoy, learn, and knowing all about Borobudur Temple.

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