Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, built in the tenth century, in the reign of two kings, Rakai Pikatan anda Rakai Balitung. This temple complex is located about 20 kilometers from Yogyakarta. Around the temple, there is a beautiful park built by the government.
The main area of the temple consists of 3 main temples; symbolize Tri Murti in Hindu belief, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. Shiva Temple which is the highest temple, flanked by two other temples: the temple of Vishnu in the north and the temple of Brahma in the south. The three temples are facing east. In front of each main temple, there are temples of animal which are used as vehicles each god. There are Nandini (buffalo) temple in front of Shiva’s, Swan temple in front of Brahma’s, and Garuda temple in front of Vishnu’s. These six temples are formed in groups, facing each other, situated on a square yard, with sides 110 meters long. On this main area, there are also other temples; 2 ‘pengapit’ temples, 4 ‘sedut’ temples and 4 ‘kelir’ temples. The secondary area has around 224 temples.
The edge of Shiva temple is decorated with reliefs of Ramayana and can be enjoyed if we do the ‘berperadaksina’ (walk around the temple with the central temple, the temple of Shiva, always on our right side) through the hall. The story continues in the relief of Brahma temple located on the left (south) of Shiva temple. On temple of Vishnu, there are reliefs depicting the story of Kresnadipayana, telling story of King Krishna childhood, as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in eradicating bad thing in the world.
Each of three main temples has booths occupied by a certain figure. Temple of Brahma and Vishnu temples each have a booth occupied by a statue of related god. Shiva temple has 4 booths. The main chamber contains a statue of Shiva, while the other 3 chambers contain statues of Agastya (Shiva’s teacher), Ganesha (Shiva’s son) and Durga (Shiva’s wife).
Prambanan Temple or the temple of Shiva is often referred to as temples of Roro Jonggrang. There is legends that underlie this reference. Durga statue located in one of three rooms inside temple of Shiva, is believed to be Roro Jongrang, daughter of King Boko, who was condemned to stone.
According to legend, there was a very strong man named Bandung Bondowoso who wants to marry Roro Jonggrang. But Roro Jonggrang doesn’t love him. Fearing the power of Bandung Bondowoso, Roro Jongggrang agreed to marry him, on the promise that Bandung Bondowoso has to build a temple with 1000 statues in one night.
Bandung Bondowoso accepted these conditions. Because of his power and help from the jinn, Bandung Bondowoso successfully completed 999 statues. When Bandung Bondowoso was almost finished the job, Jongrang ordered village women to burn straws in the east and pound rice as it was in the morning. Roosters are started crowing, making the jinns scared and left their jobs. Bandung Bondowoso who later found out that he have been cheated, cursed Roro Jonggrang into 1000th statue to complete his job.
In addition to temples that have been restored, in this temple complex there are also a lot of boulder strewn temple. This is caused by a rule that a temple would only be restored if at least 75% of the original stone is still there. Before the restoration and maintenance efforts, the original stones were stolen or used as building material by the locals. Therefore, many small temples are not rebuilt and left only its foundations.
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