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Visitors could gain access easily to the land of fascinating sights both natural and man made
including the 8th century temples of Borobudur, Prambanan and countless
other masterpieces of architecture such as The Karatons (Royal Palaces) in
Jogyakarta and Surakarta. The inscriptions on stone, respectively of
Canggal from 732 AD and of Balitung from 907 AD, indicated that between
750 and 900 AD, this region: The Kingdom of Mataram (nowadays the
provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java) were ruled by Hindu Sanjaya and
Buddhist Cailendra dynasties.
Borobudur was built by rulers of Cailendra
dynasty whereas Prambanan by rulers of Sanjaya dynasty. The People,
generally very courteous and hospitable should gladly welcome all tourists
domestic as well as foreign. The Javanese maintains a strong link with
their own old centuries tradition - in culture, in art, and more
importantly in their character and manner.
Politeness and good behavior are highly regarded. They are hard
working, low-profile people who are very proud of their culture and
tradition whilst eager to embrace the benefits of modernity, hold firmly
to Javanese value. The people are very helpful, this is in accordance with
their Principle of Society of Life i.e. MASYARAKAT GOTONG ROYONG :
Mutual COOPERATION.
The captivating physical beauty of the
nature, westward of the volatile mount Merapi, 40 km north west of the
city of Jogyakarta
THE ANCIENT TEMPLES
Borobudur
The world's biggest Buddhist temple and the greatest ancient monument
in the southern hemisphere stands peacefully in tranquility.
Borobudur
is one of the seven wonders of the world. The shrine has nine
square terraces and a circular top one, is ½ meters high covering a
hillock overlooking the Southern Central Javanese plains, known as the
Garden of Java.
By turning left following the pilgrims' path to the summit 
which is 3
miles walk, is a symbolic journey through the three spheres of Mahayana
Buddhism:
Kamadhatu - lower sphere of daily world
Rupadhatu - the
world of form
Arupadathu - the higher sphere i.e. the world of formless
: abstract state of heavenly perfection
The 1460 relief carving in
stone slabs that cover the balustrade illustrating life of Buddha's
teaching. The total statues of Buddha are 504.
On the upper, open
terraces are more than 70 stupas, containing the sitting statues of
Buddha. The form of Borobudur resembles a gigantic stupa, believed to be a
structure to assist meditation. On the top, underneath the great stupa,
alone under the sky, surrounded by the green plains far below, the
sensation is one total release and serenity ..
Nearby Borobudur they
are two other smaller Buddhist temples in perfect condition.
Pawon Temple
Tiny temple 2 km east of Borobudur, contains a
Buddha statue. The temple's style and the reliefs carved on the wall
resemble most Javanese Hindu Temple.
Mendut Temple
Located 1 km to the east of Pawon temple.
Inside the temples there are magnificent statues of Buddha. For Waicak
ceremony, the offering and the praying start in this temple.
Mendut Temple
Pawon Temple
WAIÇAK
The ceremony commemorates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha,
always held during a full moon (this, 1998 year shall be on May 12,
1998-Tuesday, starting in the evening at May 11, 1998 Monday). The
procession begin at Mendut led by Budhist SAFFRON - ROBED monks to Pawon
then Borobudur (+/- 3 km walk), where candles are lit and flowers strewn
about, followed by praying and chanting climaxes in the early morning when
ten of thousands of worshippers (local and foreign) converge at the summit
of Borobudur.
This is
a real sacred
and at the same time
fantastic religious performance.
Note:
The holy water used in this ceremony is taken from sendang
(pool) JUMPRIT nearby the town of Temanggung. A pool believed as having
mystical power.
The fire is taken from everlasting natural source in
the village of MERAPEN.
Prambanan
This is the most famous and also the most magnificent of Central Java's
temples or more precisely complex of temples. Located in the sub-district
of Prambanan on the border between Yogyakarta and Surakarta (17 km east of
Yogyakarta or 40 km west of Surakarta). From this place looking to faraway
through endless green rice terraces in the gigantic skyscraper Mount
Merapi. The main spike soars 47 meters high and the temple is lavishly
carved. The temple
LORO JONGRANG
(Prambanan) " The slender virgin"
who according to legend was turned into stone by a giant she refused to
marry.
The Candi (Temple) Loro Jongrang - Prambanan
It is believed to be built by RAKAI PIKATAN to commemorate
the glorious power of Sanjaya Hindu  dynasty in the empire of MATARAM
in the 8th and 9th century.
The largest is
Shiva Temple - the showpiece - architecturally the most perfect. On
the right and left sides of the main gate stands the guards statues
Nandiswara and Mahakala.
Starting from the eastern entrance gate The Ramayana Legend
carved inner site of the wall encircle the temple, telling the
struggle of Lord Rama to free his wife Sinta, from an evil giant
king - Rahvana.
In the main chamber, there is a
huge statue of the four armed Shiva in his manifestation as Mahadewa.
In
the South chamber is
Agastya as Shiva mahaguru divine-teacher, in
the western chamber is the elephant - headed Ganesha - son of Shiva, in
the north chamber is the statue of DURGA MAHESASURAMARDANI. Some believe
that divine statues in fact are the image of the rulers of Sanjaya
dynasty/HINDU MATARAM. Shiva was the Maharaja Balitung , the King Durga
was Loro Jongrang/Princess PADMOWATI, Ganesha was their son, prince
Daksotomo ; Agastya was the Patih (Chief Minister), Danghyang Samorosonto.
Vishnu Temple
This is smaller than Shiva temple, to the north
of Shiva Temple, there is a statue of Vishnu and on the wall are reliefs
of the story of Lord Khrisna.
Brahma Temple
It is located to the South of Shiva Temple,
with a statue of four-headed Brahma, and relief carving of the final scene
of the Ramayana.
Nandi Temple
It faces the Shiva temple. A statue of Nandi the
bull of Shiva is inside flanked at the back with statues of God Surya and
Goddess Candra on their chariots drawn by horses.
A & B
Temples
Each measures 13 x 13 meters with 22 meters height : no
statues inside.
Apit Temples
Two temples, each measures 6 x 6 meters with 16
meters height. On the side of entrance gate they are statues of lions.
Kelir Temples
There are four temples in the front of every
entrance gate. The measure each is 1,55 x 1,55 meters with 4,10 meters
height. They protect the sacred place from evil spirits.
Sudut or Corner Temple
Four small temples, each measures is
1,55 x 1,55 meters with 4,10 meters of height in every corner of the site.
Ramayana Ballet
It is performed under the full moon from May
to October (dry season) on open stage with the back-drop of illuminated
Loro Jongrang Temple. This dance drama performs by more than 200 dancers
with gamelan music. It is dynamic and magnificent spectacle.
It should be a pity if visitors miss this performance, in that case an
indoor dance is available during the daytime but of course less
spectacular.
Sewu or Thousand
Temples
Located 2 km north of Prambanan Temple.
This is the second largest Buddhist Temple complex in Java, Restoration is
professionally underway to reach its original form.
It is a MANDALA,
manifesting the universe in the center temple of Mahadeva, surrounded by
four rings of 250 smaller temples of Gods.
 Plaosan
Temples
The site is around 1 km east of Sewu
Temples. These temples are unique combining Hindu and Buddhist symbols and
carving. Originally, they were three temples, the shrines and statues
are very impressive. According to inscriptions on the stone of Plaosan,
these temples were constructed jointly by the rulers of Sanjaya (Rakai
Pikatan) and Cailendra (King Samaratungga) dynasties.
Sojiwan
Temple
This Buddhist temple is located about 1 km
from Prambanan on the road to Solo.
Karaton Ratu Boko
"
The palace of the eternal Lord " is believed to be a Hindu palace complex
built in 778 AD. It is located on the top of a hill 1 km South of
Prambanan . Restoration is underway. The view from the top of the hill is
splendid. The Prambanan Plains, the mount Merapi to the north, Yogya city,
18 km to the west are beautiful scenes in the bright sunny days.
Kalasan Temple
It is
built in the Kalasan village about 2 km west of Prambanan, 15 km from
Yogyakarta.
It is dedicated to a Buddhist Goddess, TARA. It is 6
meters tall and has 52 stupas.
Sari Temple
It is
nearby Kalasan Temple, 500 meters north of Kalasan. It is a small but
elegant Buddhist temple.
Kalasan Temple
Sari Temple
Gedong Songo
Temple
 There are nine Hindu Candis of
8th century A.D. on the slope of Mount Ungaran, South Semarang.
The weather is always cool, the setting is superb, the view is
magnificent, might be one of the most spectaculer views in Java. The
candi's simple architecture are dedicated to SIVA and VISHNU, facing south
is the shimmering Rawa Pening Lake, Mounts Merbabu and Merapi, to the west
are Mounts Sumbing and Sindoro. The morning panorama is Breath-taking.
Sambisari
Temple
It is a Shiva temple, discovered in 1966,
located about 10 km from Yogyakarta. It was covered by volcanic ash and
dust, 6 meters below the surface of surrounding land, but it is in
perfectly condition.
The Temples of
Dieng
Located at Dieng Plateau about 2600 meters
above sea level. They are smaller Shiva temples, built by Sanjaya dynasty
and named of wayang heroes such as Dwarawati, Bima, Arjuna, Puntadewa,
Srikandi, Sembadra, and Semar.
Dieng plateau is about 150 km northwest
of Yogyakarta. The name Dieng means Di-hyang " The abode of God ",
centuries ago it was once the site of a temple - city of Hindu's priests.
The plateau was formed many millennia ago by eruption of huge volcano,
remains active up to now, the proof is the existence of working craters
such as Sikidang, Sileri, Sikumbang, etc.
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