Candi Borobudur (Borobudur Temple)

Borobudur Temple from the top

Borobudur is a 9th century Buddhist Monument, built by Buddha Mahayana during the reign of Syailendra Dynasty (The Greatest Buddha Kingdom in Java at that time), in the command of King Samaratungga. According to the scientist this temple was constructed approximately in the year of 824 AD and was completed in the late 900 AD in the reign of Queen Pramudawardhani, daughter of King Samaratungga. The old script written by Mpu Prapanca in 1365 called Negarakertagama, mentioned the origin name of Borobudur which means "Monastery In The Hills", which comes from the word "Bara" (temple or monastery), and "Beduhur" (hills or high places) in Sanskrit. Therefore, in accordance with the meaning of Borobudur, this place long ago used as a place both shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The brilliant Architects who contributed to build this temple according to a story passed down through generations named Gunadharma.

Buddha statue

Candi Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, approximately 40 km from Yogyakarta. This temple is a giant pile of stone block with the total height of 42m. Each stone are only connected to each other and stacked. Borobudur has 10 platform, six of them are square and the base is 123 m wide, and then topped by 3 round ones and one giant stupa at the top. Every round has many stupas, total 72 stupas laid surrounding the Giant Stupa. Sitting inside the stupa is Buddha Statue, with the leg across each other, with many tipe of hands position, describing many tipe of meditation. It spend over than 55,000 cubic m of stone to complete this building, including 504 Buddha Statue in total and 2,672 relief panels that decorated every single wall in the square platform which is also telling a story about the process of enlightment based on the Buddhist Philosophy of life. To be able to follow the story, you have to start from the east gate, and move clockwise.

Relief Of Borobudur

After the decades this building abandoned by it's people, and buried which scientist believes that Merapi Volcano's eruption perhaps cause it, then in the era of Ducth Colonial, a British named Sir Raffles rediscovered this giant temple. And in 1835 the entire area of the temple has been unearthed. Then after Indonesia's Independence, the Indonesian government together with UNESCO decide to conduct a huge restoration of Borobudur Temple. In 1991, Candi Borobudur Site designated as one of The World Heritage by UNESCO.

Sunrise view from Borobudur

Since then Borobudur has drawn the world's attention. Many tourist from arround the world come to Java to visit this ancient building as its age which is older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia.  Tourist also able to learn it's history by visiting their Museum inside the Temple complex. there are two Museum, Samudraraksa and Karmawibangga. Today, many fascility available for tourist inside the Temple, some required extra charge some are free. Train car for example, this fascility offers tourist better way to explore surrounding the temple complex, give a challange to see better view of the temple from different angle without being tired of walking. Other option is riding the elephant. This will give double experience for the tourist, even though this one is not favorite choice because the charge which is not cheap. Unlike the souvenir, that is cheaper to buy souvenir in the end of the visit at the exit gate of the temple, rather than buying souvenir somewhere outside the temple. They offer lower price, but of course they have to be bargained.

Borobudur spotlight

Borobudur is only 30 minutes form Yogyakarta, the closest city where they have airport service. Tourist are free to choose whether they want to stay in Yogyakarta or in Magelang close to Borobudur Site. Both city offer many good hotel to stay in. Check the room available for any reservation to the hotel site or you may contact our administrator. And remember not to bring beavy clothing, because there will be a lot of walking execise. T-shirt, sandal or light shoe, shorts are recommended. As Indonesia is a tropical coutry, so Indonesia has two seasons, that is Rainy Season and Dry Season. Rainy Season will be between Sepetember to Februay, and Dry Season will be from March to August. Please refer to Weather Forecast for more detail. In Dry Season we suggest that you bring sun glasses and hat or cap, where the weather might be hot and tempeture usually rise until 35-37 degrees C, and humidity considered Dry. But in Rainy Season we suggest that you bring rain coat or umbrella, where usually rains in the afternoon, and the Temple might become slippery, we don't suggest sandal or slip, please wear shoes to climb the temple.

Please contact our administrator if any question regarding the trip to Borobudur. We would be very glad to help you out. See also our Tour Package Offers.