Sunday, March 20, 2011

Borobudur temple (central java)













Borobudur is the biggest temple in Indonesia.
Borobudur temple is located in Magelang, Central Java, in addition to being a bustling tourist attraction visited, also a center of worship for Buddhists in Indonesia, particularly in every celebration of Vesak. This is consistent with the meaning of the name of 'convent in the hills ". Currently established as one of the Borobudur World Heritage by UNESCO.


The history of Borobudur Temple
Borobudur was built around 800 AD or the 9th century. Borobudur was built by the followers of Mahayana Buddhism during the reign of Dynasty dynasty. This temple was built in the heyday dynasty dynasty. The founder of the Borobudur Temple, King Samaratungga originating from or dynasty dynasty dynasty. The possibility of this temple was built around the year 824 AD and was completed around the year 900 AD during the reign of Queen Pramudawardhani who is the daughter of Samaratungga. While the architects who contributed to build this temple according to stories passed down through generations named Gunadharma.
Borobudur Temple

Borobudur own words based on the first written evidence that was written by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Governor General of the United Kingdom in Java, which gives the name of this temple. There is no written evidence that older who gave the name of this temple of Borobudur. Only one of the oldest document showing the existence of this temple is Nagarakretagama book, written by the MPU Prapanca in the year 1365. In the book was written that this temple was used as a place of Buddhist meditation.

Meaning of the name Borobudur "abbey in the hills", which comes from the word "coal" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high ground) in Sanskrit. Therefore, in accordance with the meaning of the name Borobudur, then this place since long ago used as a place of Buddhist worship.

This temple for centuries no longer used. Then, because of volcanic eruptions, most of the buildings covered Borobudur volcanic soil. In addition, the building is also covered with various trees and shrubs for centuries. Then the building of this temple began forgotten in the time Islam arrived in Indonesia around the 15th century.

In 1814 when the British occupied Indonesia, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles heard of the discovery of huge archaeological objects in the village of Magelang district Bumisegoro. Due to great interest of the history of Java, then immediately ordered Raffles HC Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, to investigate the discovery of the location was a hill covered with shrubs.

Cornelius assisted by about 200 men cut down trees and remove shrubs that covered the giant building. Because the building is already fragile and could collapse, then report to the Raffles Cornelius invention includes several images. Since the discovery, Raffles was awarded as the man who started restoration of Borobudur temple and got the attention of the world. In 1835, the entire area of the temple has been unearthed. The temple is kept restored in the Dutch colonial period.

After Indonesian independence, in 1956, the Indonesian government requested the assistance of UNESCO to examine the damage to Borobudur. Then in 1963, out of the official Indonesian government's decision to conduct the restoration of Borobudur temple with the help of UNESCO. However, this restoration was only really started to be done on August 10, 1973. Process new refurbishment completed in 1984. Since 1991, Borobudur designated as World Heritage or World Heritage Site by UNESCO.


Vesak celebration at Borobudur
Every year on the full moon in May (or June in leap years), Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the Borobudur Temple. Vesak is celebrated as the day of birth, death and the moment when Siddhartha Gautama obtain the highest wisdom to become the Buddha Shakyamuni. The third event is called Vesak Trisuci. Vesak ceremony focused on the three Buddhist temples by walking from the Mendut Pawon and ends at Borobudur.

On the eve of Vesak, particularly during peak moment of full moon, Buddhists gathered around Borobudur. At that time, Borobudur is believed to be the gathering place of supernatural powers. According to belief, during Vesak, the Buddha will appear visible on top of a mountain in the south.

Currently, Borobudur has become a tourist attraction which attracts many tourists both local and foreign tourists. In addition, the Borobudur Temple has become a holy place for Buddhists in Indonesia and became the center of the most important annual celebration of Vesak Buddhist.

Borobudur be one proof of the greatness and human intelligence has ever made in Indonesia. Borobudur become major attractions and culture in Indonesia besides Bali and Jakarta. After visiting the Borobudur, you can also visit the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar which has some interesting attractions.





















TEMPLE PRAMBANAN (CENTRAL JAVA)



Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia. Prambanan temple is located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta. This temple was built in about the year 850 AD. The architecture is very grand and there are temples large and small in this temple complex. There's also a legend that the temples are only made in one night alone by his supernatural powers as a condition to marry Bondowoso Loro Jonggrang. But not because of the legend of Prambanan included in this list but due to a dazzling world of architectural excellence.

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