Prambanan a Thousand Temple in Central Java

Prambanan a Thousand Temple in Central Java google doc

Prambanan temple is located in Park neighborhood Prambanan, approximately 17 km to the east of Yogyakarta, precisely in the village of Prambanan Subdistrict Bokoharjo. The location is only about 100m from the highway Yogya-Solo, so it is not difficult to find. Most of the tourist area, located at an altitude of 154 m above sea level is included in Sleman. while others included in the Klaten area.

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. Until now, this has not been established when the temple was built and on whose orders, but the strong suspicion that the Prambanan temple was built around the middle of the 9th century by the king of the Sanjaya dynasty, which Balitung Raja Maha Sambu. The assumption is based on the contents Syiwagrha Inscriptions found around Prambanan and is now kept in the National Museum in Jakarta. Stone inscription dated 778 Saka (856 AD), was written in the reign of Rakai Pikatan.

Prambanan a Thousand Temple in Central Java google doc

Prambanan temple restoration takes a very long time, as if he had never done. The discovery of the ruins of the largest building, the Temple of Shiva, is reported by C.A. Lons in 1733. Efforts excavation and recording of the first conducted under the supervision of Groneman. Excavation completed in 1885, includes cleansing scrub and grouping stones of the temple ruins.

In 1902, these efforts resumed by van Erp. Grouping and identification of rocks ruins implemented in more detail. In 1918, for restoration of the Prambanan temple was resumed under the supervision of the Department of Antiquities (Oudheidkundige Dienst) led by P.J. Perquin. Through these efforts, most of the ruins of the temple of Shiva can be reconstructed.
In 1926, a committee of restoration under the leadership of De Haan to continue the efforts that have been implemented Perquin. Under the supervision of this committee, in addition to the rebuilding of the temple of Shiva increasingly refined result, started well Apit preparation for building the temple.

In 1931, De Haan died and was replaced by V.R. van Romondt. In 1932, both Apit temple restoration was completed. The restoration that ended in 1942, when the Japanese took over the government in Indonesia. After going through a long process and halting the war and the transitional government, in 1953 Shiva temple restoration and two Apit temple was complete. Until now, the Prambanan temple restoration still continue to be implemented gradually.

Prambanan a Thousand Temple in Central Java google doc

The original plan of Prambanan rectangular, consisting of the outer courtyard and three courtyards, namely Jaba (outer court), Tengahan (central courtyard) and Njeron (inner court). The outdoor courtyard is an open area that surrounds the outer court. Outer court oblong shape with an area of ​​390 m2. The first courtyard is surrounded by a stone wall that is now in ruins. Outer court is currently only an empty courtyard. There are not yet known whether the original building or other ornaments in this courtyard.

In the middle of the outer court, there is a second courtyard, the central courtyard is a rectangular area of ​​222 m2. Former central courtyard is also surrounded by stone fences today already collapsed. This courtyard consists of four terraces, getting into the higher. On the first terrace, the patio bottom, there were 68 small temples are lined up around, is divided into four lines by connecting roads antarpintu courtyard. In the second terrace there are 60 temples, on the second terrace there are 52 temples, and in the fourth terrace, or top terrace, there were 44 temples. The whole temple in the middle of this courtyard has the same shape and size, the ground-plan area of ​​6 m2 and a height of 14 m. Almost all the temples in the central courtyard is now in ruins. The only remaining ruins alone.

The inner court, the highest court of lying and who is regarded as the most sacred place. Berdenah the court is a rectangular area of ​​110 m2, with a height of approximately 1.5 m from the top terrace central courtyard. This courtyard is surrounded by plaster and stone fences. On the four sides are arch-shaped gate paduraksa. Currently only a gate on the south side that is still intact. In front of each of the top gate of the court there is a pair of small temples, berdenah square base measuring 1, 5 m2 with a height of 4 m.

Prambanan a Thousand Temple in Central Java google doc

In the inner courtyard of the temple there are two rows of the longitudinal direction of the north south. In the west there are 3 rows of the temple facing east. The temple is located at the north is Vishnu, in the middle is the temple of Shiva, and the south is the Brahma temple. In the east there is also a row of three temples facing west. Third temple called the temple a vehicle (vehicle = vehicle), because each temple named according to the animal deity of the temple is a vehicle located in front of him.

Temple facing Vishnu temple is Garuda temple, which is dealing with the Shiva temple is a temple Nandi (bull), and dealing with the Brahma temple is a temple Geese. Thus, the six temples facing each other to form the hallway. Vishnu, Brahma, Geese, Garuda and Nandi have the same shape and size, which berdenah square base measuring 15 m2 with a height of 25 m. In the far north and the south aisle of each there is a small temple facing each other, which is called the Temple Apit.

Rara Jonggrang legend 
Once a time in Java the middle there are two mutually neighboring kingdoms, namely Pengging kingdom, ruled by King Pengging and Prambanan kingdom, ruled by King Baka. King Baka tangible giant big man and have incredible supernatural powers. King Baka notorious for, to retain his power, he routinely carry out ceremonial offerings with human sacrifices. Although his form and his creepy cruel, King Baka had a very beautiful daughter, named Rara Jonggrang.



King Pengging had long felt sad because people often get interference from the army of the Kingdom of Prambanan. He wanted to crush the ruler of the Kingdom of Prambanan, but they were too strong for him. To achieve his desire, King Pengging then ordered his son, Raden Bandung, to meditate and invoke the power of the gods. Raden Bandung secured form of magic genie, named Bandawasa, who always obey his orders. Since the name was changed to Raden Bandung Bandawasa.
Armed with his power that, Raden Bandung went to Prambanan together Pengging army. After experiencing a fierce battle, Raden Bandung managed to kill King Baka. With the permission of his father, Raden Bandung intend to establish a new government in Prambanan. When entering the palace, he met with Rara Jonggrang. Inevitably, Raden Bandung fell in love with the princess and ask for her hand.

Prambanan a Thousand Temple in Central Java google doc

Rara Jonggrang not want diperistri youth his father's killer, but he did not dare refuse openly. Subtly he filed the requirement that, in order to marry her, Raden Bandung should be able to make 1000 temples in one night. Raden Bandung undertakes Jonggrang Rara request. Immediately after sunset, he went to a field not far from Prambanan. He meditated call Bandawasa, pet genie and the genie commanded to build 1000 temples as requested by Rara Jonggrang.

Bandawasa then mobilize their friends, genies, to help build the temple desirable employer. Through the center, Rara Jonggrang inched closer to the field to see the work of Raden Bandung. How shocked the princess saw that the work was nearly finished. Immediately she ran to a nearby village to wake the girls in the village. Rollicking they pounded the pestle (pestle rice) to the mortar, as if he were pounding rice. Hearing the sound of people pounding rice, roosters in the village woke up and started crowing shouted.

At that time Bandawasa has managed to make 999 temples and is completing the construction of the last temple. Hearing the sound of a rooster crows, Bandawasa and his friends immediately stopped work and disappear because they think the dawn has arrived. Raden Bandung who viewed Bandawasa and colleagues came up off the clouds scurrying semadinya and prepared to submit its failure to rara Jonggrang. After a long wait, Raden Bandung was surprised because dawn never arrived. He then investigated the oddity that occurred.

Raden Bandung was furious after learning Rara Jonggrang fraud. He then cursed her into a statue. Until now Arca Rara Jonggrang can still be found in Candi Rara Jonggrang complex is located in Prambanan. Raden Bandung also condemned the girls at the Prambanan an old maid because nobody wants to marry them.