Travel triumph of Hindu temple Bookmarks, DI Yogyakarta from Indonesia

When you go to Yogyakarta, sempatkanlah visit one of the UNESCO world heritage site and the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia, Prambanan. Prambanan is the building that was built in the 10th century during the reign of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung.

47 meters tall (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, 40 km west of Surakarta and 120 km south of Semarang, exactly on the border between the provinces of Central Java and Yogyakarta. At the center of this temple was built a garden area.

There is a legend that the Java community has always told about this temple. Once upon a time, a man named Bandung Bondowoso love Jonggrang. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make 999 statues cursed Jonggrang into the statue-1000 because he felt cheated. By many Prambanan temple is often referred to as the Loro Jonggrang.

In 1733, the temple was discovered by CA. Lons a Dutch nationality. Then in 1855 Jan Willem IJzerman started to clean and move some of the rocks and soil of the temple. Some time later Isaac Groneman massive demolition and temple stones were piled haphazardly along the Peel River.

In the 1902-1903, Theodoor van Erp keep parts that are prone to collapse. In the years 1918-1926, followed by the Bureau of Antiquities (Oudheidkundige Dienst) under PJ Perquin in a more methodical and systematic, as it is known predecessors perform removal and demolition of thousands of rock without thinking of the restoration effort back.

In 1926 De Haan continued until his death in 1930. In 1931 was replaced by Ir. V.R. van Romondt up in 1942 and then handed over the leadership of the renovation was the son of Indonesia and it continued until 1993.

Many parts of the temple was renovated, using new stone, because many original stones are stolen or re-used elsewhere. A temple will be renovated only when at least 75% original stone is still there. Therefore, many small temples are not rebuilt and just looks foundation course.

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the main yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. The third temple is the epitome of Trimurti in Hindu belief. The third temple faced east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are two temples wedge, four temples color, and the four corner temples. In the second area has 224 temples.

Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find four rooms. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other three rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (son of Shiva). Durga is touted as the statue Jonggrang in the legend above.

In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of the temple of Shiva, you will only see one room that contains a statue of Vishnu. Similarly, the Brahma temple located south of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.

Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is situated near the Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, who was gold, white face, red wings, beak and wings like eagles.

 
It is estimated that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shining', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda can save his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods)

Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. According to experts, the relief is similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as the tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. The Prambanan, relief Kalpataru trees flanking a lion depicted. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the 9th century have wisdom in managing the environment.

On May 27, 2006 an earthquake with a strength of 5.9 on a scale hit Bantul and surrounding areas. The earthquake caused severe damage to many buildings and mortality in the population there. One of the badly damaged building is a complex of Prambanan, especially the Brahma temple. Until now, the improvement is still underway, and some of them have been completed.

To achieve Prambanan, quite easily, with a wide range of flight options you can get to and from downtown Yogyakarta warm, you can rent a car or a taxi heading to the Prambanan temple takes about half an hour.