PRAMBANAN INDONESIA AND SURROUNDING

Prambanan temple is located in the Park of 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 some are included in Klaten.
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. Until now, this has not been established when the temple was built and at the behest of anyone, 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 content Syiwagrha Inscriptions found around Prambanan and is now kept in the National Museum in Jakarta. Stone inscription dated 778 Saka (856 AD) was written during the reign of Rakai Pikatan.
Prambanan temple restoration takes a very long time, as if nothing had finished. Rediscovery of the ruins of the largest, namely Shiva temple, was reported by CA Lons in 1733. Efforts excavation and recording of the first conducted under the supervision of Groneman. Excavation was completed in 1885, includes cleaning scrub and grouping stones temple ruins.
In 1902, these efforts resumed by van Erp. Grouping and identification of rocks ruins implemented in more detail. In 1918, restoration of the Prambanan resumed under the supervision of the Department of Antiquities (Oudheidkundige Dienst) led by PJ Perquin. Through these efforts, most of the ruins of the temple of Shiva can be reconstructed.
In 1926, a committee was formed under the leadership of the restoration 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, also the preparation of the construction of the temple started Apit.
In 1931, De Haan died and was replaced by VR 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 is completed. Until now, the restoration of Prambanan still continue to be implemented gradually.
The original plan of Prambanan rectangular, consisting of an outer courtyard and three grounds, namely Jaba (outer court), Tengahan (central courtyard) and Njeron (inner court). The outside 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 now only an empty yard. There are not yet known whether the original building or other decorations in the court of this.
In the middle of the outer court, there is a second courtyard, the central court of the rectangular area of ​​222 m2. Former central courtyard is also surrounded by a stone wall which today already collapsed. The yard consists of four terraces, getting into the higher. On the first terrace, the lowest terrace, there are 68 small temples are lined up around, is divided into four lines by connecting road antarpintu yard. In the second terrace there are 60 temples, in the third terrace there are 52 temples, and in the fourth terrace, or top terrace, there are 44 temples. The entire temple in the middle of the court is to have 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 currently in ruins. The only remaining ruins alone.
The inner court, the highest court of lying and who is regarded as the most sacred place. The berdenah rectangular courtyard area of ​​110 m2, with a height of approximately 1.5 m from the surface of 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 gate of the court there is a small temple top, berdenah square base area of ​​1, 5 m2 with a height of 4 m.
In the inner court of the temple there are two rows of longitudinal direction of the north to the south. In the west there is a row of three temples facing east. The temple is located at the north is Vishnu, in the middle is the temple of Shiva, and to the south is the temple of Brahma. In the east there is also a row of three temples facing west. The third temple called the temple a vehicle (vehicle = vehicle), since each temple is named after the animal is a god of the temple mount is located in front of him.
Temple facing Vishnu temple is Garuda temple, facing the Shiva temple is the temple Nandi (bull), and that dealing with the Brahma temple is a temple Geese. Thus, the sixth this temple facing each other form a 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 northern and southern ends of each aisle there is a small temple facing each other, which is called the Temple Apit.

SHIVA TEMPLE

At the time found, Shiva temple located in a severely damaged condition. Restoration takes a long time, beginning in 1918 and completed in 1953. Named Candi Shiva in this temple because there is a statue of Shiva. Shiva temple is also known as Candi Rara Jonggrang, because in one office are Durga Mahisasuramardani, which is often referred to as Arca Rara Jonggrang. The temple sits on high base of 2.5 m. Shiva temple, located in the middle row of the west, is the largest temple. Plan is essentially a square area of ​​34 m2 with a height of 47 m.
Along the foot wall of the temple is decorated with carvings of two kinds of ornaments are located alternately. The first is a picture of a lion standing between two trees kalpataru. This decoration is found on all sides of the foot of the temple of Shiva and five other major temples.
On the wall at the foot of the north and south side of the Shiva temple, ornate lion over flanked by a pair of sculptured panels containing animals were sheltering under a tree that grows in a vase kalpataru. Various animals are depicted here, among them: monkeys, peacocks, deer, rabbits, goats, and dogs. On top of each tree perched two birds.
On the other sides of the foot wall of the temple, both legs Shiva temple and other great temples, panels animal picture is replaced with air panels image-Kinari kinara, a pair of bird-headed man, who also were sheltering under a tree Kalpataru.
Ladder to climb to the surface of the shelf is located on the east side. Is equipped with a ladder on the cheek staircase whose walls are decorated with carved tendrils and animals. The base of the staircase decorated cheek carved dragon's head wide open with the figure of the god in his mouth. On the left and right of the stairs there is a small roofed temples with carved statue of Shiva tapered on all four sides of the body.
At the top there is a gate leading to the hallway on the surface paduraksa shelf. Above the threshold of the gate are carved Kalamakara beautiful. Behind the gate there is a small temple that has a niche in the body. The niches contain statues of Mahakala and Nandiswara, gods doorman.
On the surface there is a shelf approximately 1 m-wide corridor that surrounds the temple. The lobby is equipped with a fence or ledge, so it looks like a hallway without a roof. This berlangkan hallway zigzagged angled, dividing the temple walls into 6 sections. Along the walls of the temple is decorated with rows of sculptured statue Lokapala. Lokapala are gods keeper direction of the wind, such as Bayu, Indra, Varuna, Agni, and Yama.
Along the side of the wall ledge carved reliefs of Ramayana. Ramayana is carved in a clockwise direction, starting from the scene Vishnu requested down to earth by the king in order to overcome the turmoil that is done by Ravana and the scene ends with the completion of the construction of a bridge across the ocean towards the State of Lanka. Connection Ramayana story contained in the wall ledge Brahma temple.
On top of a ledge wall lined with ornate jewel. Under Charles, on the outside wall of the ledge, there is a small niche with a decorative Kalamakara on it. In niches there are 2 sculptured motif displayed alternately, namely the image 3 men standing holding hands and 3 people are playing different types of instruments.
The entrance to the rooms inside the temple located on a higher terrace. To reach the upper terrace, there is a ladder in front of each door of the room. In the body of the temple there are four rooms surrounding the main room is located in the center of the temple. The entrance to the main room is through a room facing east. This room empty room with no statues or decorations. The entrance to the main room is located in line with the entrance to the east. The main hall is called Shiva space because in the middle of the room there is a statue of Shiva Mahadeva, namely Shiva standing on a lotus with one hand raised in front of the chest and the other hand horizontally in front of the abdomen. Shiva statue is located at the top of pedestals (foundation) is about 60 cm tall, shaped yoni with sewer water along the edge of the surface. It is said that Shiva statue depicts King Balitung of Hindu Mataram (898-910 AD) who was worshiped as Shiva.
There are no connecting door between the room Shiva with the third space on the other side. Space north, west, and south has its own entrance which is located right in front of the ascent to the upper terrace. In the north there is a space Mahisasuramardini Durga, the goddess Durga as death, depicting the consort of King Balitung. Durga is depicted as a goddess of eight in a position to stand on ox Nandi facing Vishnu temple. One of his right hand in a reclining position in a mace, while the other three hands each holding arrows, swords and discs. One of his left hand holding the head of Asura, a giant dwarf standing on the head Mahisa (calf), while the other three hands holding a bow, a shield and flowers. Durga is the surrounding community called Rara Jonggrang statues, because the statue is believed to be the incarnation of Rara Jonggrang. Rara Jonggrang is a princess in a local legend, who was condemned to be a statue by Bandung Bandawasa.
In the west there is space Ganesha statue in a cross-legged position on padmasana (lotus throne) with both feet meet. Both hands stay on the knee in the position looked up, while its trunk tertumpang dilengan left. Ganesha statue depicts King Balitung crown prince. sling on the shoulder indicate that he was a warlord.
In the southern area there is a statue of Agastya or Siva Grand Master. This statue meliliki posture rather plump and bearded. Mahaguru Shiva is depicted in a standing position facing the Brahma temple in the south with the right hand holding a rosary sdan left hand holding a jug. Behind him, on the left there is a fly repellent and on the right there is a trident. It is said that Shiva statue depicts a priest Mahaguru royal advisor.


VISHNU TEMPLE

Vishnu Temple located at north of the temple of Shiva. The temple sits on the top shelf that forms berlangkan hall. Ladder to climb to the surface of the shelf is located on the east side. Along the walls of the temple is lined with carved panels depicting Lokapala.
Decorated ledge along the wall in the shuffle of the panels containing Krisnayana relief. Krisnayana is the story of Krishna's life since he was born until he succeeded to the throne Kingdom of Dwaraka.
On top of a ledge wall lined with ornate jewel. Under Charles, on the outside wall of the ledge, there is a small niche with a decorative Kalamakara on it. In niches there are sculptures depicting Vishnu as a pastor who was sitting with a variety of hand positions.
Vishnu temple has only one room with the door facing east. In the room, there is a statue of Vishnu in a position to stand on 'pedestals' shaped yoni. Vishnu is described as god-handed 4. The right hand rear holding Chakra (weapon of Vishnu) while the left hand holds the oyster. Front right hand holds the mace and the left hand holds a lotus flower.

BRAHMA TEMPLE

Brahma temple located on the south side of the temple of Shiva. The temple sits on the top shelf that forms berlangkan hall. Along the walls of the temple is lined with carved panels depicting Lokapala.
Decorated ledge along the wall in the shuffle of the panels containing the continuation of the Ramayana story ledge on the wall in the temple of Shiva. Fragment of Ramayana in the Brahma temple tells warfare assisted his brother Rama, Lakshman, and the army of monkeys against Ravana to the Sprott went wandering into the woods after being expelled by Rama who doubted her purity. Sita gave birth to her son in the forest under cover of a recluse.
On top of a ledge wall lined with ornate jewel. Under Charles, facing outward, there is a small niche with a decorative Kalamakara on it. In niches there are sculptures that depict Brahma as a pastor who was sitting with a variety of hand positions.
Brahma Temple also only has one room with a door facing east. In the room, there is a statue of Brahma in the position of standing on pedestals shaped yoni. Brahma is described as the god who has four faces, each facing a different direction, and two pairs of hands. On the forehead on the face facing the front there is a third eye called 'urna'. Brahma statue was actually very beautiful, but now it is damaged. Wall Brahma plain unadorned space. On the wall on each side there is a prominent rock that serves as a place to put the oil lamp.

TEMPLE WAHANA

Nandi temple. This temple has a staircase entrance facing west, ie to a Shiva temple. Nandi is the holy bull of Lord Shiva mounts. When compared with Garuda temple and temple swan which is on the right and left, Nandi temple has the same shape, only slightly larger and higher. The temple sits on about 2 m high base. As contained in the temple of Shiva, at the foot of the wall there are two sculptural motifs are located alternately. The first is a picture of a lion standing between two trees kalpataru and the second is a picture of a pair of the animals that take shelter under a tree Kalpataru. On top of the tree perched two birds. Such pictures are also in temples of other spacecraft.
Nandi temple has one room in his body. Stairs and the entrance to the room is located on the west side. In the room there Ox statue of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva, in a lying position facing west. In the room there are also two statues, the statue of Surya (the sun god) who is standing in a chariot drawn by seven ponytail and Arca Candra (the moon god) who is standing in a chariot drawn by ten horses. The room walls are not decorated and there is a prominent rock on each side of the wall that serves as a place to put the oil lamp. Hallway walls around tubuhcandi also plain unadorned sculpture.
Garuda temple. The temple is located in the north of the temple Nandi, dealing with the Vishnu temple. Garuda is a bird mount of Vishnu. The shape and decoration on the legs and Garuda temple stairs similar to those contained in Nandi temple. Although the temple is called Garuda, but there is no statue of eagle in a room inside the temple. On the floor of the room there is a statue of Shiva in a smaller size than that contained in the Shiva temple. This statue was found embedded in the bottom of the temple, and indeed its place is not in the room.
Geese temple. The temple is located in the south of the temple Nandi, dealing with the Brahma temple. Goose is a bird mounts Brahma. The size, shape and decoration on the legs and goose temple stairs similar to those found in the Temple of Garuda. The room inside the temple empty. The room walls are also decorated, there are only a stone that stands out on the wall on each side of the room that serves as a place to put the oil lamp.

TEMPLE APIT

Apit temple is a temple facing each other. Located, respectively, at the south end and the north end of the aisle between the two rows of the great temple. Both these temples berdenah area of ​​6 m2 with a height of 16 m. body temple sits on a high base of 2.5 m. There is no lobby at the surface of the foot of the temple. Each having one stairs to the only room in his body. Only there is something special about this temple, is that when the temple is completed rebuilt, looks very beautiful.











TEMPLE GUARD


In addition to the six major temples and two temples wedge that has been described above, in the courts above there are eight temples are so small, that the ground-plan of about 1.25 m2. Four of them are located in each corner of the background, while the other four were placed near the entrance to the courtyard above.
Prambanan face now looks pretty. In front of the temple complex, built on stilts performing Ramayana ballet and Tourism Park which can beautify the face Prambanan Prambanan complex.
Rara legend Jonggrang
Once upon a time in Java 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 magic. King Baka notorious for, to retain his power, he regularly carry out ceremonial offerings with human sacrifice. Although his form and his creepy cruel, King Baka have a very beautiful daughter, called Rara Jonggrang.

Pengging king had long felt sad because people often get interference of 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 managed to get such magic genie, named Bandawasa, who always obey 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 intends 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.
Rara Jonggrang not want diperistri by the young killer of his father, but he did not dare refuse openly. Subtly he proposed requirement that, in order to marry her, Raden Bandung should be able to make in 1000 temples in one night. Raden Bandung undertakes Jonggrang Rara request. Soon after sunset, he went to a clearing not far from Prambanan. He meditated call Bandawasa, jin pet, and ordered the genie was to build a temple in 1000 as requested by Rara Jonggrang.
Bandawasa then mobilized his friends, the genie, to help build the temple desirable employer. Through the center, Rara Jonggrang crept closer to the field to see the work of Raden Bandung. How shocked the princess saw that the work was nearly finished. As soon as he ran to the nearest 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, in the village rooster started crowing woke up and shouted.
At that time Bandawasa has managed to make 999 temples and is completing the construction of the temple of the latter. Heard the sound of a rooster crows, Bandawasa and his friends immediately stopped work and disappear because they thought that the dawn has arrived. Raden Bandung who viewed Bandawasa et cloud rose from the direct running semadinya and get ready to convey 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 still can be found in Candi Rara Jonggrang located in Prambanan temple complex. Raden Bandung also condemned the girls in Prambanan become an old maid because nobody wants to marry them.