Thrill Ride To Borobudur
Praying at the world’s largets Buddhist temple.
Borobudur, Java Sunday March 1, 2015
It rises up over Java, the largest island in Indonesia. It takes the form of a stepped pyramid and each ascending level represents a stage of enlightenment. Toward the bottom, intricately carved bas-relief depicts the Buddhist sutras.
The higher terraces feature statues of Buddha inside bell shaped stupas. Built between 750 and 842 AD by the Sailendra Dynasty, Borobudur represents the melding of Indian art forms and traditional Indonesian terraced sanctuaries, as well as the interplay of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Borobudur is built as a single large stupa and, when viewed from above, takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala.
The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD.
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.
The Borobudur monument combines the symbolic forms of the stupa (a Buddhist commemorative mound usually containing holy relics), the temple mountain (based on Mount Meru of Hindu mythology), and the mandala (a mystic Buddhist symbol of the universe, combining the square as earth and the circle as heaven).
The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was rediscovered in 1814 under the order of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles. In the 1970s, the Indonesian Government and UNESCO worked together to restore Borobudur to its former majesty. The restoration took eight years to complete, making Borobudur one of Indonesia’s most valuable treasures. That is the reason why you will find a number of restrictions to touch or sit on the Borobudur site when you visit it. The locals really want to keep the beauty of this temple as it tells the story of their history.
GET AROUND
You can tour the Borobudur area with a real Javanese carriage.
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.
The stupa has three main functions : as a reliquary containing the Buddha's ashes; as a memorial marking the location of an event in the Buddha's life; and as a votive offering.
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.
Apart from the stupas, Borobudur has many statues of various Buddhas and m eticulously carved relief sculptures.
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.
GET THERE
It’s always nice to meet the locals.
Borobudur is about an one hour’s drive from Yogyakarta. The easiest way to get there is by joining a tour or renting a car.
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.
Our group.
