What You May Not Have Known About Indonesia's Borobudur Temple

It's impossible to visit the world's largest Buddhist monument without making a pilgrimage to the Borobudur temple on the island of Java. The location is surrounded by Central Java's natural beauty, which can only be found there.

Atop a hill, the temple commands a commanding view of rolling green fields and distant mountain ranges. The temple's Gupta-style construction, built during the Syailendra dynasty between AD 780 and 840, illustrates India's influence on the region. Borobudur, on the other hand, is distinctively Indonesian thanks to the inclusion of several scenes and motifs from the local culture.

The Kedu Valley, in the southern portion of Central Java, has a total area of around 2,500 m2. The 2,672 relief panels and initially 504 Buddha sculptures adorn the monument, which is encircled by lush greenery. This temple's architecture and masonry are unmatched in the history of architecture. No cement or mortar was used in the construction. Without any glue, the structure resembles a gigantic set of interlocking Lego blocks. Borobudur's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List comes as no surprise.

Despite being neglected for a century and a half, the temple has held up. Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles ordered its rediscovery in 1814. The Indonesian government and UNESCO collaborated on Borobudur's restoration in the 1970s. The repair of Borobudur took eight years, making it one of Indonesia's most prized possessions. As a result, visitors to the Borobudur site may encounter a number of restrictions, including the inability to sit or touch some areas. This temple conveys the story of their history, and the inhabitants wish to preserve its beauty.

Borobudur

Among the bas-relief carvings are depictions of Buddha's life and teachings. According to critics, this is the most comprehensive collection of Buddhist reliefs ever assembled, and it is without peer in terms of quality.

Get a Grip on Things

When visiting Borobudur temple, it's best to walk around the area. From the entrance, you have the option of walking via Green Park. As you go through this area, you'll come across a slew of sellers selling everything from souvenirs to trinkets. There are also Indonesian traditional souvenirs available, such as batik, Indonesian traditional clothing, and several intriguing little exhibition statues from the country's past. There are rules in place to keep them from bothering people, but if you want to remember the grandeur of Borobudur temple, you should buy some traditional souvenirs from them.

The beautiful stone sculptures on the walls of this majestic temple will awe you as you ascend to the summit. If you're planning on visiting this cultural landmark, you'll need to observe some basic etiquette, such as not vandalizing it, keeping your attitude, and respecting any religious events that might be taking place while you're there. Wearing shorts when visiting may require borrowing a sarong to wrap over your hips.

Learn about the site's history and significance from the reliefs while you're there. Since there are a number of options for guides, you won't have any trouble gaining a deeper understanding of Borobudur temple's rich history. When you arrive, they will be happy to show you around the temple and provide you with a detailed history of its construction, dating all the way back to the Syailendra dynasty. The myths and stories depicted in the temple's stone carvings are of profound philosophical importance.

Let's Do It!

Borobudur is a one-hour drive from Yogyakarta. It is most convenient to take a tour or rent a car to get there. Magelang City's streets are surrounded by large shady trees, so you may breathe in the fresh cold air while driving to Borobudur. The Menoreh mountain range, which encircles Borobudur, serves as an impressive backdrop to the temple complex. The best time to come is between April and October, which is the country's dry season. In addition, to have a decent view of the temple, it's best to go during the day rather than at dusk.

In most cases, you'll have to travel a short distance from where you parked to the facility's front gate. Tickets cost 350,000 rupiahs, or around $25, for international visitors. Other street vendors selling Central Javan food, which you may have never had before, sell snacks if you're still hungry. It's easy to get into the temple enclosure, and most visitors choose to explore on foot. A horse-drawn carriage can be rented at a reasonable price. After disembarking in Semarang, cruise ship passengers can drive to Borobudur through Wonosobo.

 

 

 

Image source :  https://pixabay.com/id/photos/borobudur-indonesia-budaya-candi-2166750/

Article source : https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/java/magelang-regency/borobudur