Borobudur Temple, A Wonderful Wonder

Borobudur is one of the biggest Buddhist Temples in the world, in fact Borobudur was the biggest Buddhist temple in the world in the 9th century when it was built, centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia which was built in the 12th century. Borobudur once stated as one of the 7 wonders of the world, and since 1991 it was stated as the world heritage site by UNESCO.



Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga from the Syailendra Dynasty who ruled Mataram Kingdom in Central Java - Indonesia that time. The construction began around year 824 AD and finished by the end of the 9th century when Mataram Kingdom was ruled by Queen Pramudawardhani the daughter of King Samaratungga. The architect of this magnificent building according to the ancient story is Gunadharma, now his name is used as the name of a university in Yogyakarta.

This giant building is 118 m wide on each side with 42 m height. Borobudur Temple has 10 levels, 6 levels shaped square, 3 levels with circle shape and one main stupa (place to put Buddha statue) on top. there are still another 72 stupas beside the main stupa. It was built using andesite stones taken from a river. These stones then being cut, shaped then carried to the construction sites by thousands of workers. The stones then put together according to the architect's plan without using adhesive or cement ! it was just like building a Lego. Amazingly that building survives for centuries and it's still standing until now. after all the stones being put together, the artists started to make reliefs all over the Temple's wall. The total relief that we can find here is 2670 reliefs which tell an ancient story that can be read beginning from the eastern gate.

Just like it's name "Borobudur" which means "monastery on the high place", this temple was built on the hills area surrounded by mountains. From the top of this temple you'll see a remarkable landscape with mountains, forest and wide green grass surrounding this mythical building.

Today this temple is still used by the Buddhists to do their rituals and every year this temple becomes the central place to celebrate Waisyak, the holliest day for Buddhist.

To get to the Temple you can take a plane to Yogyakarta, from there you can continue your journey to Borobudur temple by bus or chartered shuttle.

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