Borobundur- the largest Buddha temple in Indonesia
Posted On March 1, 2010
Location:
Borobudur is a place where you will come across the mountain of statues. It is located in the State of Central Java in Indonesia. Also it is placed in the South of Magalang. Borobudur is well-known for the huge and the lavish Buddhist Stupa. The Stupa at Borobundar is considered as the largest Stupa in the world. It is believed that the Stupa represents the universe. The monument is known for its incredible splendor and refinement.
Structure:
The Borobudur Temple looks like a mixture of Indian stupa and the mid-Asian pyramid, ziggurat. This huge monument is located on the crest of a hill and is made out of a volcanic rock. The structure has a form of a massive mandala that symbolizes the path to deliverance. The monument has around nine terraces which are constructed one over the other. The six terraces which are placed in the bottom of the monument have a square shape, while the upper three terraces are circular in shape.
History
An inscription which dates back to 842 AD, states that earlier Borobudur was a place which was used for praying. The inscription reads ‘Bhumi Sambhara’. Many researchers believed that Borobudur Temple was constructed around t-850 AD. It was during the rule of Sanmaratungga, who used to rule the Shailendra dynasty that is located in the central Java. Sanmaratungga used to follow the Mahayana division of Buddhism.
The Circumambulation:
The visitors need to walk in a clockwise direction around the monument and later starts climbing the stairs that are located at the right of the mountain. Later you are required to go around the monument before you climb up to the next level. You will reach the top of the temple only by walking around the monument. The total distance that you would be required to cover is around five kilometers.
What to see:
Waisak Festival
This festival is one of the most important festival in the country. Generally it takes place in the month of May. Waisak festival is celebrated as the birth date of Buddha. The city gets colored in the color of joy. Candle-lit processions are organized. Monks with saffron clothes are seen every where. Visiting Borobudur during this festival would be surely a very-exciting experience in your life.
Candi Mendut
It is a peaceful Buddhist temple. It is located at a distance of 3 km from Borobudur. Candi Mendut has wonderful interiors. Around three huge Buddhist statues are placed in the temple. The temple is a must-see for the one who is very much interested in the heritage.
Candi Pawon
Pawon Temple is located at a distance of around two km in the eastern direction from Borobudur. This temple is also constructed with the volcanic stones. The temple is located in the middle of the Stupa and the Candi Mendup. Candi Pawon is a Buddhist temple and also has a merge of Indian and the ancient Javanese art. It is believed that the temple is built in the honor of Kubera, who is the Hindu as well as the Buddhist God of fortune.
How to Reach:
You can take a flight to Jog Jakarta Airport which serves quite a few flights to Borobudur. Also many buses as well as cabs will take you to Borobudur from the airport. A car can be easily rented from Jog Jakarta. You can also ask the car to stay if you want have a stay at Borobudur. If you need only a drop off, try and get the metered taxi. A number of bus leave for Borobudur from the Jog Jakarta’s Giliwagan Bus Terminal, from the Borobudur bus top the site of temple is at a distance of one and a half km thus you can surely walk down the distance.
When to visit:
The best time to visit Borobudur is from the month of May till October. Also the time of the day to visit the temple site is Morning.
Opening timing:
The site is open for the public visit from 9 in the morning till 5 in the evening.
Entrance costs:
All the registered students are required to pay Rp 70,000 for entering the site, while the Indonesian adult needs to pay Rp 9,000 also the non-Indonesians adult are supposed to pay Rp 120,000.
Today there are many Buddhist followers in the world. Budhism is also the sign of peace.
Its said that buddhism is the best religion and it is fully scientific and advanced as well.
This statue of Buddha is really huge and there are many statues all over East Asia.
Monestries made by monks in East Asia are really good. People really feel relaxed and fresh after visiting them.
After reading this article I feel to go for a visit to Indonesia and also to cover near by parts as well.
Waisak festival is the sign how much devotional people are for great Gautam Buddha!
Other word for Buddhism is also known as Jainism. Jain people also follow Buddha.
The Borobudar monument is a lovely shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage.
The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely Kāmadhātu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness).
On the course of the journey the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the wall and pillars.