Prambanan temple
Coordinates: 7°45′7.200″S 110°29′28.392″E
Hindu Affiliated Religion
Yogyakarta and Central Java Special Region Provinces
Trimurti of Gods (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
Nyepi Festival
Management body of the Yogyakarta Special Region Cultural Heritage Preservation Center
Central Java Cultural Heritage Preservation Center
PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko
Status Still in use
Locations Sleman and Klaten
Indonesian country
Prambanan Temple in SlemanPrambanan Temple
Coordinates 7.752020°S 110.491465°E
Architecture
Type of temple complex
The first stone was laid in 850 AD
Specification
East facade direction
Maximum height 47 meters (154 ft) (Shiva Temple)
Number of buildings 240 (16 temples in the core, 224 ancillary temples)
Siwagrha Inscription
Andesite stone building materials
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name: Prambanan
Types of Culture
Criteria i, iv
Established 1991
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Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple building in Indonesia which was built in the 9th century AD. This temple, which is also known as Rara Jonggrang, is dedicated to Trimurti, the three main Hindu gods, namely Brahma as the creator god, Vishnu as the preserver god, and Shiva as the destroyer god. Based on the Siwagrha inscription, the original name of this temple complex is Siwagrha (Sanskrit which means 'House of Shiva'), and indeed in the garbagriha (main room) of this temple there is a three meter high statue of Shiva Mahadewa, because the Syaiwa sect prioritizes the worship of the god Shiva in this temple.
The Prambanan temple complex as a whole is located in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, but the administrative gate is located in Central Java. This is why Prambanan Temple is located in 2 places, namely in Bokoharjo Village, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region and in Tlogo, Prambanan, Klaten Regency, Central Java, or approximately 17 kilometers northeast of Yogya City, 50 kilometers southwest from Surakarta City and 120 kilometers south of Semarang City, right on the border between the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java.
This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, as well as one of the most beautiful temples in Southeast Asia. The architecture of this building is tall and slender in accordance with Hindu architecture in general with the Shiva temple as the main temple having a height of up to 47 meters standing in the middle of a complex of smaller temples.
As one of the grandest temples in Southeast Asia, Prambanan temple attracts tourists from all over the world.
According to the Siwagrha inscription, this temple began to be built around 850 AD by Rakai Pikatan, and continued to be developed and expanded by Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Medang Mataram Kingdom.
The name Prambanan, derived from the name of the village where this temple stands, is thought to be a change in the name of the Javanese dialect of the Hindu theological term Para Brahman which means "Great Brahman", namely Brahman or the highest and greatest eternal reality that cannot be described, which is often equated with the concept of God. in Hinduism. Another opinion is that Para Brahmans may refer to the heyday of this temple which was once filled with Brahmans. Another opinion suggests that the name "Prambanan" comes from the root word mban in Javanese which means to bear or carry a task, referring to the Hindu gods who carry out the task of organizing and maintaining harmony in the universe.
Another name for Prambanan can mean 5 (five) mountains, which in Khmer/Cambodian language 5 (five) is Pram and banam is mountain. It depicts the 5 mountain peaks of the Himalayas in India. Remembering at the same time in the Khmer chronicle that the Javanese had colonized the Khmer for 200 years and Jayawarman the 2nd who was in Java was the hero who freed the Khmer from Javanese domination.
The original name of this Hindu temple complex is a Sanskrit name; Siwagrha (House of Shiva) or Siwalaya (Nature of Shiva), based on the Siwagrha Inscription which is dated 778 Saka (856 AD). The Trimurti is glorified in this temple complex with the three main temples glorifying Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. However, Shiva Mahadewa who occupies the main room in the Shiva temple is the most glorified god in this temple complex.
Prambanan is the largest and most magnificent Hindu temple ever built in ancient Java. The construction of this royal Hindu temple was started by Sri Maharaja Rakai Pikatan as a rival to the Buddhist temple of Borobudur and also the Sewu temple which is located not far from Prambanan. Some historians have long suspected that the construction of this great Hindu temple was to mark the return to power of the Sanjaya family over Java, this is related to the theory of twin dynasties with different competing beliefs; namely the Sanjaya dynasty of Hindus and the Sailendra dynasty of Buddhists. Certainly, the construction of this temple marked that the Saivite sect of Hinduism had once again received the support of the royal family, after previously the Sailendra dynasty tended to support Mahayana Buddhism. This marked that the Medang kingdom shifted the focus of its religious support, from Mahayana Buddhism to the worship of Shiva.
This building was first built around 850 AD by Rakai Pikatan and was continuously refined and expanded by King Lokapala and King Sri Maharaja Dyah Balitung Maha Sambu. Based on the Siwagrha inscription dated 856 AD, this sacred building was built to glorify the god Shiva, and the original name of this building in Sanskrit is Siwagrha (Sanskrit: Shiva-grha which means: 'House of Shiva') or Siwalaya (Sanskrit: Shiva-laya which means means: 'Shiva Realm' or 'Shiva Realm').
In this inscription it is stated that while construction of the Siwagrha temple was underway, public work was also carried out to change the water system to move the river flow near this temple. The river in question is the Opak river which flows from north to south along the west side of the Prambanan temple complex. Historians suspect that the original river flow curved towards the east, and was considered too close to the temple so that river erosion could endanger the construction of the temple. This water management project was carried out by creating a new river channel that cuts the curve of the river with a north-south axis along the western wall outside the temple complex. The former original river flow was then filled in to provide a wider area for the construction of a row of ancillary temples (guard temples or companion temples).
Some archaeologists are of the opinion that the Shiva statue in the garbhagriha (main room) in the Shiva temple as the main temple is the statue of the embodiment of the Balitung king, as a statue of his posthumous pedharmaan.
This building complex was periodically refined by subsequent Medang Mataram kings, such as Sri Maharaja Dyah Daksa and Sri Maharaja Dyah Tulodong, and expanded by building hundreds of additional temples around the main temple. Because of the splendor of this temple, Prambanan temple functions as the great temple of the Mataram Kingdom, where various important royal ceremonies are held. At the peak of its glory, historians suspect that hundreds of Brahmin priests and their students gathered and inhabited the outer courtyard of this temple to study the Vedas and carry out various Hindu rituals and ceremonies. Meanwhile, the royal center or palace of the Mataram kingdom is thought to be located somewhere near Prambanan in the Kewu Plain.
Around the 930s, the kingdom's capital was moved to East Java by Sri Maharaja Mpu Sindok, who founded the Isyana Dynasty. The cause of this shift in the center of power is not known for certain. However, it is very likely caused by the violent eruption of Mount Merapi which rises about 20 kilometers north of Prambanan temple. Another possible cause is war and power struggles. After the capital moved, the Prambanan temple began to be neglected and not maintained, so that the temple slowly began to become damaged and collapse.
This temple building is thought to have completely collapsed due to a severe earthquake in the 16th century. Even though it is no longer the center of Hindu religion and worship, this temple is still recognized and known for its existence by Javanese residents who live in the surrounding villages. The temples and the statue of Durga in the main building of this temple inspired Javanese folklore, namely the legend of Rara Jonggrang. After the split of the Mataram Sultanate in 1755, the ruins of the temple and the nearby Opak river became a dividing mark between the territories of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta (Jogja) and Kasunanan Surakarta (Solo).
The people around the temple already know about the existence of this temple. However, they do not know the real historical background, who was the king and what kingdom built this monument. As a result of imagination, local people created local fairy tales or folk tales to explain the origins of the existence of these temples; colored with fantastic stories about giant kings, thousands of temples built by spirits of jinn and ghosts in just one night, and beautiful princesses who were cursed into statues. The legend about Prambanan temple is known as the story of Rara Jonggrang.
In 1733, this temple was discovered by CA. Lons is a Dutch national. This temple attracted world attention during the British occupation of Java. At that time, Colin Mackenzie, a surveyor under Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, discovered this temple. Even though Sir Thomas later ordered further investigation, the ruins of this temple remained abandoned for decades. Excavations were not carried out seriously throughout the 1880s, which unfortunately gave rise to the practice of looting temple carvings and stones. Then in 1855 Jan Willem IJzerman began cleaning and removing several stones and soil from the temple chamber. A few moments later, Isaac Groneman carried out a large-scale demolition and the temple stones were piled haphazardly along the Opak River. The statues and temple reliefs were taken by the Dutch and used as garden decorations, while the indigenous people used temple stones as building materials and house foundations.
Restoration began in 1918, but real serious efforts began in the 1930s. In 1902-1903, Theodoor van Erp maintained a section that was prone to collapse. In 1918-1926, it was continued by the Antiquities Bureau (Oudheidkundige Dienst) under P.J. Perquin in a more systematic way according to archaeological principles. As is known, our predecessors carried out the removal and demolition of thousands of stones haphazardly without thinking about restoration efforts. In 1926 De Haan continued until the end of his life in 1930. In 1931 he was replaced by Ir. V.R. van Romondt arrived in 1942 and then handed over the leadership of the renovation to the Indonesian son and this continued until 1993.
Restoration efforts continue to be carried out even now. The restoration of the Shiva temple, the main temple of this complex, was completed in 1953 and inaugurated by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Sukarno. There are parts of the temple that have been restored using new stones, because many of the original stones were stolen or reused elsewhere. A temple will only be restored if at least 75% of the original stones are still there. Therefore, many small temples were not rebuilt and only the foundations are visible.
Now, this temple is included in the World Heritage Site which is protected by UNESCO, this status was given by UNESCO in 1991. Currently, several parts of the Prambanan temple are being restored to repair damage caused by the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake. This earthquake has damaged a number of buildings and statues.
In the early 1990s, the government moved the markets and villages that had spread wildly around the temple, demolished the village areas and rice fields around the temple, and restored them into an ancient park. This ancient park covers a large area on the edge of the Surakarta-Jogja highway on the south side, covering the entire Prambanan temple complex, including Lumbung Temple, Bubrah Temple, and Sewu Temple to the north.
In 1992 the Indonesian Government formed a state-owned company, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko. This business entity is tasked with managing ancient tourist parks in Borobudur, Prambanan, Ratu Boko and the surrounding areas. Prambanan is one of the famous tourist attractions in Indonesia which is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists.
Right across the Opak river, the Trimurti stage complex and performance building was built, which regularly holds performances of the Ramayana Ballet. The Trimurti open stage is located directly opposite the temple on the west bank of the Opak river with the Prambanan Temple illuminated in the background. This open stage is only used in the dry season, while in the rainy season, the performance is moved to a closed stage. The Javanese Wayang Ramayana dance is a noble tradition of the Javanese palace which is hundreds of years old, usually performed in the palace and began to be performed in Prambanan during the full moon since the 1960s. Since then Prambanan has become a major cultural and ancient tourist attraction in Indonesia.
After major restoration in the 1990s, Prambanan also returned to being the center of Hindu religious worship in Java. The revival of Prambanan's religious values is because there are quite a lot of Hindu people, both immigrants from Bali or Javanese people who have returned to Hinduism who live in Yogyakarta, Klaten and surrounding areas. Every year Hindus from the provinces of Central Java and Yogyakarta gather at Prambanan temple to hold ceremonies on the holy days of Galungan, Tawur Kesanga, and Nyepi.
Temple complex
Architectural model of the reconstruction of the Prambanan temple complex, originally there were 240 temples standing in this complex.
The entrance to this building complex is in all four cardinal directions, but the direction the building faces is to the east, so the main entrance to this temple is the east gate. The Prambanan temple complex consists of:
3 Trimurti temples: Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma temples
3 Wahana temples: Nandi, Garuda and Angsa temples
2 Apit Temples: located between the rows of Trimurti temples and Wahana temples on the north and south sides
4 Kelir Temples: located in the 4 cardinal directions right behind the entrance to the inner courtyard or core zone
4 Patok Temples: located in 4 corners of the inner courtyard or core zone
224 Perwara Temples: arranged in 4 concentric rows with the number of temples from the deepest to the outermost row: 44, 52, 60, and 68
So there are a total of 240 temples in the Prambanan complex.
Originally there were 240 large and small temples in the Prambanan Temple complex. But now only 18 temples remain; namely 8 main temples and 8 small temples in the core zone and 2 ancillary temples. Many perwara temples have not been restored, of the 224 perwara temples only 2 have been restored, all that remains are piles of scattered stones. The Prambanan temple complex consists of three zones; first is the outer zone, second is the middle zone which consists of hundreds of temples, third is the inner zone which is the holiest zone where there are eight main temples and eight small temples.
The cross-sectional plan of the Prambanan temple complex is based on a square area which consists of three parts or zones, each courtyard of this zone is bordered by an andesite stone wall. The outer zone is marked by a square fence, each side 390 meters long, with a North East - South West orientation. Except for the southern gate which still remains, many parts of the other gates and walls of this temple have been lost. The exact function of this outer courtyard is not yet known; possibly the grounds of a sacred garden, or a dormitory complex for Brahmins and their disciples. Maybe in the past the building that stood in the outermost courtyard was made of wood, so it was rotten and nothing was left of it.
Prambanan Temple is one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia besides Angkor Wat. The three main temples are called Trimurti and are dedicated to the three main gods of Trimurti: Shiva the Destroyer, Vishnu the Preserver and Brahma the Creator. In this temple complex, Shiva takes precedence and is more glorified than the other two Trimurti gods. The Shiva Temple is the main building and the largest and tallest, rising 47 meters high.
Shiva Temple
Shiva Temple, the main temple in the Prambanan temple complex dedicated to the god Shiva.
Durga Mahisasuramardini statue in the north room of the Shiva temple.
The inner courtyard is the most sacred zone of the three zones of the temple complex. This courtyard has an elevated surface and has a square plan enclosed by a stone fence with four gates in the four cardinal directions. In this sandy courtyard there are eight main temples; namely the three main temples called the Trimurti ("three forms") temples, dedicated to the three highest Hindu gods: Lord Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer.
Shiva Temple as the main temple is the largest and tallest building in the Rara Jonggrang temple complex, measuring 47 meters high and 34 meters wide. The top of the mastaka or peak of this temple is crowned with a modified wajra shape which symbolizes diamonds or lightning. This wajra shape is a Hindu version of the stupa found at the top of Buddhist temples. The Shiva Temple is surrounded by a gallery hallway decorated with reliefs that tell the story of the Ramayana; engraved on the inner wall on the balustrade. Above this balustrade is lined with rows of peaks which are also wajra-shaped. To follow the story in the correct order, visitors must enter from the east side, then do pradakshina, namely rotating around the temple clockwise. The Ramayana story continues to the Brahma Temple.
The Shiva Temple in the middle contains five rooms, one room in each cardinal direction and one garbagriha, which is the main and largest room located in the middle of the temple. The eastern room is connected to the main room where a three meter high statue of Shiva Mahadewa (the embodiment of Shiva as the Supreme God) resides. This statue has the Lakçana (attributes or symbols) of Shiva, namely chandrakapala (skull above the crescent moon), jatamakuta (crown of majesty), and trinetra (third eye) on his forehead. This statue has four arms that hold Shiva's attributes, such as aksamala (rosary beads), camara (horsetail hair that repels flies), and trident. This statue is wearing an upawita (caste rope) in the shape of a dragon snake (cobra). Shiva is depicted wearing a loincloth made of tiger skin, depicted with a tiger's head, paws and tail carved on his thigh. Some historians assume that this Shiva statue is the embodiment of the Balitung king as the god Shiva, as his posthumous pedharmaan statue. So when this king died, his spirit was thought to be reunited with his god, Shiva.
The statue of Shiva Mahadewa stands on a pad of padma flowers on a yoni-shaped square base on the north side of which is carved a Nāga (cobra) snake.
Three other smaller rooms house smaller statues related to Shiva. In the south room there is Resi Agastya, Ganesha, son of Shiva, in the west room, and in the north room there is a statue of Sakti or Shiva's wife, Durga Mahisasuramardini, depicting Durga as the slayer of Mahisasura, the Ox giant who attacked Swargaloka. This Durga statue is also called Rara Jonggrang (slender virgin) by local residents. This statue is associated with the legendary princess Rara Jonggrang.
In Thomas Raffles' famous book, The History of Java (1817) there is a picture of the Prambanan Main Temple with the caption "main temple in Jongrangan". In the name Jongrangan, another popular local name for this temple complex is known, namely Loro Jonggrang, which means "Slim Girl". Loro Jonggarang is the main character in a Javanese folk tale.
Brahma Temple and Vishnu Temple
Two other temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is located on the north side and one is dedicated to Brahma, which is located on the south side. Both temples face east and there is only one room, which is dedicated to these gods. The Brahma Temple holds a statue of Brahma and the Vishnu Temple holds a Vishnu statue which measures almost 3 meters high. The sizes of the Brahma and Vishnu temples are the same, namely 20 meters wide and 33 meters high.
Wahana Temple
Garuda Temple, one of the ride temples
Right in front of the Trimurti temple there are three smaller temples than the Brahma and Vishnu temples which are dedicated to the vehicles or rides of these gods; the ox Nandi is Shiva's vehicle, the swan is Brahma's vehicle, and the Garuda is Vishnu's vehicle. The temples of these rides are located right in front of the god who rides them. In front of the Shiva temple there is the Nandi temple, inside which there is a statue of the Nandi bull. On the wall behind the Nandi statue, on the left and right, it flanks the statues of Chandra, the god of the moon and Surya, the god of the sun. Chandra is depicted standing on a chariot drawn by 10 horses, while Surya stands on a chariot drawn by 7 horses.
Right in front of the Brahma temple there is the Angsa temple. This temple is empty and there is no Swan statue in it. Maybe once there was a statue of Angsa as Brahma's vehicle inside it. In front of the Vishnu temple there is a temple dedicated to Garuda, but just like the Angsa temple, there is no Garuda statue in this temple. Maybe a Garuda statue used to be in this temple. Until now, Garuda has become an important symbol in Indonesia, namely as the symbol of the state of Garuda Pancasila.
Apit Temple, Kelir Temple, and Patok Temple
Between the sixth row of main temples is the Apit Temple. The size of Apit Temple is almost the same as Perwara Temple, namely 14 meters high with a floor plan of 6 x 6 meters. Besides these 8 main temples, there is a small temple in the form of a small shrine whose function may resemble a shrine in a Balinese Hindu temple where canang or offerings are placed, as well as serving as a pillar in front of the entrance. These small temples are; 4 Kelir Temples in the four cardinal directions in front of the entrance, and 4 Patok Temples in each corner. Kelir Temple and Patok Temple are miniature temples without stairs with a height of about 2 meters.
Perwara Temple
Perwara Temple on the south side of the courtyard, visible in the background of the Brahma and Hamsa Temples
Two walls have a square plan that encloses two inner courtyards, arranged in an orientation according to the four cardinal points. The second wall is 225 meters long on each side. Between these two walls is the second courtyard or second zone. The second zone consists of 224 Perwara Temples arranged in four concentric rows. These temples were built on four terraced steps which progressively get higher towards the center. These four rows of temples are smaller than the main temple. These temples are called "Perwara Temples", namely Guardian Temples or Complementary Temples. The Perwara temples are arranged in four concentric rows, the innermost row consists of 44 temples, the second row has 52 temples, the third row has 60 temples, and the fourth row and the outermost row consist of 68 temples.
Each Perwara Temple measures 14 meters high with a floor plan of 6 x 6 meters, and the total number of Perwara Temples on this page is 224 temples. All Perwara temples have one staircase and the entrance is in the main direction, except for the 16 temples in the corners which have two stairs and the entrance faces in two directions outside. If most of the temple roofs in the courtyard in the core zone are wajra-shaped, then the roof of the perwara temple is ratna-shaped, which symbolizes a jewel.
Originally there were many temples on this page, but only a few have been restored. The shape of this perwara temple is designed to be uniform. Historians suspect that these temples were financed and built by regional authorities as a sign of devotion and offerings to the king. While there is an opinion that the four rows of the Perwara Temple symbolize the four castes, and only members of those castes are allowed to enter and worship there; The innermost row only includes the Brahmin caste, next to the outermost row are the rows of temples for Ksatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. Meanwhile, other parties think there is no connection between Perwara Temple and the four castes. The row of perwara temples was probably used for worship, or as a place for meditation (meditation) for priests and their congregation.
Cross section of Shiva temple
The architecture of the Prambanan temple is guided by the Hindu architectural tradition which is based on the Wastu Sastra book/Silpastra Book. The floor plan of the temple follows a mandala pattern, while the towering shape of the temple is typical of Hindu temples. Prambanan has the original name Siwagrha and is designed to resemble Shiva's house, which follows the shape of the sacred mountain Mahameru, where the gods reside. All parts of the temple complex follow the model of the universe according to the concept of Hindu cosmology, which is divided into several layers of realm, nature or Loka.
Like Borobudur, Prambanan also has levels of temple zones, starting from the least sacred to the most sacred zone. Even though the names are different, each of these Hindu concepts has its counterpart in the Buddhist concept which is essentially almost the same. Both the horizontal and vertical land plans are divided into three zones.
Bhurloka (in Buddhism: Kamadhatu), is the lowest realm of mortal beings; humans, animals, as well as ghosts and demons. In this realm, humans are still bound by lust, desire and an impure way of life. The courtyard and foot of the temple symbolize the bhurloka realm.
Bwahloka (in Buddhism: Rupadhatu), is the upper realm, the place of saints, sages, ascetics and lower gods. In this realm humans begin to see the light of truth. The central courtyard and body of the temple symbolize the realm of bwahloka.
Swahloka (in Buddhism: Arupadhatu), is the highest and holiest realm where the gods Hapsara Hapsari Bidadari reside, also called swargaloka. The inner courtyard and roof of the temple symbolize the realm of swahloka. The roofs of the temples in the Prambanan complex are decorated with mastaka peaks in the form of pearls (Sanskrit: gems). The shape of the Prambanan pearl is a modification of the wajra shape which symbolizes diamonds or lightning. In ancient Javanese Hindu architecture, the ratna is the Hindu counterpart to the Buddhist stupa, which functions as the peak or mastaka of the temple.
During the restoration, right under the Shiva statue under the main room of the Shiva temple there was a well at the bottom of which was a pripih (stone box). This well is 5.75 meters deep and the stone coffin was found on top of a pile of wood charcoal, soil and the bones of sacrificial animals. Inside this pripih there are sacred objects such as gold sheets with characters that say Baruna (sea god) and Parwata (mountain god). In this stone coffin there are copper sheets mixed with charcoal, ash and earth, 20 pieces of ancient money, several gems, glass, pieces of gold and silver sheets, shells and 12 gold sheets (5 of which are in the shape of a turtle, a dragon snake. (cobra), padma, altar, and egg).
Relief
The relief in Prambanan shows Shinta being kidnapped by Ravana riding a winged giant, while the Jatayu bird on the top left tries to help Shinta.
A typical Prambanan panel, a lion in a niche flanked by two kalpataru trees, each flanked by a pair of kinnara-kinnari or a pair of wildlife.
Ramayana and Krishnayana
This temple is decorated with narrative reliefs that tell Hindu epics; Ramayana and Krishnayana. This story-telling relief is carved on the inner wall of the balustrade along the gallery corridor that surrounds the three main temples. This relief is read from right to left in a clockwise movement around the temple. This is in accordance with the pradaksina ritual, namely the ritual of circling the holy building clockwise by pilgrims. The Ramayana story begins on the east side of the Shiva temple and continues to the Brahma temple. On the balustrade of the Vishnu temple there is a Krishnayana narrative relief which tells the story of Krishna's life as one of Vishnu's avatars.
The Ramayana relief depicts how Shinta, Rama's wife, was kidnapped by Ravana. The commander of the wanara (ape) nation, Hanuman, came to Lanka to help Rama look for Shinta. This story is also featured in the Ramayana Ballet, which is a Javanese wayang performance which is performed regularly on the Trimurti open stage every full moon night. The background for the Trimurti stage is a majestic view of the three main temples illuminated by lights.
Lokapala, Brahmin, and Dewata
Opposite the relief narrative panels, the walls of the temple along the gallery are decorated with statues and reliefs depicting the gods and Brahmin sages. Statues of the Lokapala gods, the heavenly gods who protect the cardinal points of the compass, can be found in the Shiva temple. Meanwhile, the statues of the Brahmins who compiled the Veda are in the Brahma temple. In the Vishnu temple there is a statue of the gods flanked by two apsaras or heavenly angels.
Prambanan Panel: Lion and Kalpataru
The lower outer wall of the temple is decorated with a row of niches (niches) which hold lion statues flanked by two panels depicting the Kalpataru tree of life. This sacred tree in Hindu-Buddhist mythology is considered a tree that can fulfill human hopes and needs. At the foot of the Kalpataru tree is flanked by a pair of kinnara-kinnari (magical animals with bird bodies and human heads), or pairs of other animals, such as birds, deer, sheep, monkeys, horses, elephants, and others. The lion pattern flanked by kalpataru is a typical pattern that is only found in Prambanan, that's why it is called "Prambanan Panel"
Prambanan Museum, Central Java
Within the Prambanan temple archaeological park complex, there is a museum which stores various finds of ancient historical objects. This museum is located on the north side of Prambanan Temple, between Prambanan temple and Lumbung temple. This museum was built in traditional Javanese architecture, in the form of a joglo house. The collections stored in this museum are various temple stones and various statues found around the Prambanan temple location; for example the statue of the bull Nandi, the sages Agastya, Shiva, Vishnu, Garuda, and the statue of Durga Mahisasuramardini, including the Shiva Linga stone, as a symbol of fertility.
Replicas of Wonoboyo's famous gold treasures, in the form of Ramayana carved bowls, dippers, bags, money and gold jewelry, are also on display in this museum. The original Wonoboyo finds are now kept at the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta. Replicas of architectural models of several temples such as Prambanan, Borobudur and Plaosan are also exhibited in this museum. This museum can be entered for free by visitors to the Prambanan archaeological park because the tourist park entrance ticket includes this museum. An audio visual show about the Prambanan temple is also shown here.
Sewu Temple, a Buddhist temple located within the Prambanan Archaeological Park, is associated with the legend of Rara Jonggrang
The Kewu Plain or Prambanan Plain is a fertile plain that stretches between the southern slopes of the foot of Mount Merapi in the north and the Sewu limestone mountain range in the south, near the border of Sleman and Klaten. Apart from the Prambanan temple, the valley and plains around Prambanan are rich in archaeological remains of the earliest Buddhist temples in Indonesian history, as well as Hindu temples. Prambanan Temple is surrounded by Buddhist temples. Still in the ancient tourist park complex, not far to the north of Prambanan temple there are the ruins of Lumbung temple and Bubrah temple. Further north is the Sewu temple, the second largest Buddhist temple after Borobudur. Further east is the Plaosan temple. To the west of Prambanan there are Kalasan temple and Sari temple. Meanwhile, to the south there is the Sojiwan temple, the Ratu Baka Site which is located on the hills, as well as the Banyunibo temple, Barong temple and Ijo temple.
With the discovery of so many historical remains in the form of temples only a few hundred meters apart, it shows that the area around Prambanan in ancient times was an important area. Areas that have important values in terms of religion, politics, economics and culture. The location of Hindu and Buddhist temples next to each other at a fairly close distance shows that religious tolerance has existed since ancient times and this has become a symbol of peaceful and harmonious religious life in Indonesia.
It is strongly suspected that the center of the Medang Mataram kingdom was located somewhere on this plain. The richness of archaeological sites, as well as the sophistication and beauty of the temples make the Prambanan Plain no less than other famous historical areas in Southeast Asia, such as the archaeological sites of the ancient cities of Angkor, Bagan and Ayutthaya.
Reference: Indonesian Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prambanan Temple Entrance Ticket
Touring Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta, will not cost you much. Because the entrance ticket price for Prambanan Temple is quite affordable with complete facilities. Entrance ticket prices start from IDR 25,000 to IDR 85,000 for domestic tourists. The following are the entrance ticket prices for Prambanan Temple set by TWC (Temple Tourism Park) managing the Yogyakarta temple site:
Entrance Ticket Adult (10 years and above) / Child (Age 3-10 years): IDR 50,000 / IDR 25,000
International Adult Entrance Ticket (10 years and above) / (Age 3-10 years): Rp. 387,500 / Rp. 232,500
Prambanan-Borobudur Canal Entrance Ticket Adult / Child (3-10 years): Rp. 75,000 / Rp. 35,000 Prambanan-Ratu Boko Canal Entrance Ticket Adult / Child: IDR 85,000 / IDR 40,000
Open from Morning to Evening
We can visit the Prambanan Temple Tourist Park every day. Meanwhile, the opening hours are from 06.30 in the morning to 17.00 in the afternoon.
Attraction of Prambanan Temple
Entering the complex area we will be amazed by the towering temple buildings. With a total of at least 240 temples equipped with various facilities. For example, restaurants, places of worship, rest areas, fields, parks, souvenir stalls, etc.
Even though this tourist spot is a historical site, we will be pampered with various interesting rides and activities. From dancing fountains, the Prambanan temple site, instagrammable photo rides, to art performance attractions.
Dancing Fountain
At the main entrance we will be entertained by a dancing fountain. This entrance location also often functions to hold gatherings. While waiting in line we can take beautiful photos in this area.
Prambanan Temple Site\
With an area of at least 40 hectares, we can enjoy the beauty of the temple while walking. The temple building looks even more beautiful with decorative relief narratives from the epic stories Ramayana and Kresnayana. We can learn literary arts and phenomenal stories through storytelling reliefs.
In addition, for those who do not want to walk, golf cart rental is available. While walking around you can enjoy views of the temple complex without the hassle of walking. Meanwhile, the rental rate is still affordable, valid for 15 minutes.
Joglo House Museum
Located right in the north of the complex stands the joglo house museum. Inside we can see the remains of the temple site in the form of statues, statues and ancient rocks.
Dance Performance
During the full moon every month a Ramayana Ballet performance will take place. This special performance usually takes place at 20.00 – 22.00 WIB. Ballet is a combination of drama without dialogue and dance. The ballet performance is on an open stage with a backdrop of three god temples (trimurti).
This performance takes place in 2 classes, namely the open stage class and the closed stage class. If weather permits it will take place on an open stage with a temple in the background. This show is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (every full moon of the month).
The largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, with very beautiful views of the surrounding nature, especially when Mount Merapi is clearly visible on the north side.
Thematic Park
After you have finished touring the temple complex, take the time to relax in the garden. We can enjoy the beauty of Kerokot plant creations shaped like turtles, spilled potted flowers, and many others. The location of this park is not far from the Prambanan restaurant.
De Geyong Sky Swing Ride
Here we can take photos with the backdrop of the splendor of Prambanan temple. To experience the De Geyong swing, we need to pay a special rate which is still affordable. While playing we can hire a photographer to capture every moment.
Horse Riding Rides
Around the temple complex there are also horse riding rides. To experience the sensation of riding a horse, a fee of Rp. 50,000 is charged to tour the complex. Then, if you want to learn to ride a horse, you can too. With a duration of 30 minutes we will receive training from the instructor.
Interaction With Animals
In the temple complex area there are also various collections of various animals. We can see deer, goats and owls directly. Apart from viewing, tourists can take photos with various animals.
Garuda Mandala Tama Field
This field is located on the eastern side of the south. This green open area is most often used for dinners, weddings, exhibitions and outbound events. Its location close to the parking area provides convenience. Apart from that, this area is suitable for those of us who come with a group and have outdoor activities on the agenda.
The facilities are complete
Around this complex there are many interesting photo areas. From Giant Font Prambanan, bicycle rental, stage to playground. Then there is a large field which is often used as a performance venue. From dance performances, jazz concerts, cultural exhibitions, to other state events.
Prambanan Temple Address
This temple is precisely located at the address Jl. Raya Solo – Yogyakarta No.16, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region 55571. For directions and maps, you can use Google Maps.
For further information, you can contact the Prambanan Temple tourist area management authority on Instagram social media or call 02486462345.
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