Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is a ninth century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia,

dedicated to Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Sustainer
(Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva). The temple compound located approximately 18 km
east of Yogyakarta city on the boundary between Yogyakarta and Central Java province.
[1]

The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently is the largest Hindu temple in
Indonesia, and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised
by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the
towering 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

History
Construction

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple of ancient Java, and the construction of this royal
temple was probably started by Rakai Pikatan as the Hindu Sanjayas answer to the
Buddhist Sailendra's Borobudur and Sewu temples nearby. Historians suggested that the
construction of Prambanan probably was meant to mark the return of Hindu Sanjaya
dynasty to power after almost a century fell under Buddhist Sailendra domination on
Central Java. Nevertheless the construction of this massive Hindu temple signify that the
Medang court has shifted its patronage from previously favour Mahayana Buddhism to
Shivaist Hinduism.

A temple was first built at the site around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan or Balitung
Maha Sambu the Sanjaya king of the Mataram Kingdom. According to Shivagrha
inscription that wrote chandrasengkala ”Wwalung gunung sang wiku” (778 Saka/856 M),
the temple was built to honor lord Shiva and the original name of the temple is Shiva-
grha (the house of Shiva).[2] Indeed, some archaeologists propose that the idol of Shiva in
the garbhagriha (central chamber) of the main temple is modelled after King Balitung,
serving as a depiction of his deified self after death.[3]

The temple compound was expanded by successive Mataram kings such as Daksa and
Tulodong with the addition hundreds of perwara temples around the chief temple.
Prambanan served as the royal temple of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram, with most of
the state's religious ceremonies and sacrifices being conducted there. At the height of the
Mataram kingdom, scholars estimate that hundreds of Brahmins with their disciples lived
within the outer wall of the temple compound. The urban center and the court of Mataram
were located nearby, somewhere in the Prambanan Plain.

Abandonment
In the 930s, the court was shifted to East Java by Mpu Sindok, who established the Isyana
Dynasty. While the reason for the shift remains uncertain, it was probably caused by an
eruption of the volcano of Merapi located north of Prambanan, or a power struggle. That
marked the beginning of the temple's decline. It was soon abandoned and began to
deteriorate.

The temples themselves collapsed during a major earthquake in the 16th century.
Although the temple ceased to be the important place of worship, the ruins scattered
around the area itself still recognizable and known to local Javanese people in later
period. The statues and the ruins become the theme and the inspirations for the Loro
Jonggrang folktale. After the division of Mataram Sultanate in 1755, the temple ruins and
Opak river mark the boundaries between Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo) Sultanates.

Rediscovery

In 1811 during Britain’s short-lived rule of the Dutch East Indies, Collin Mackenzie, a
surveyor in the service of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, came upon the temples by
chance. Although Sir Thomas subsequently commissioned a full survey of the ruins, they
remained neglected for decades, with Dutch residents carting off sculptures as garden
ornaments and native villagers using the foundation stones for construction material.

Half-hearted excavations by archaeologists in the 1880s merely facilitated looting.

Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918, and proper restoration only in 1930.
Efforts at restoration continue to this day. The main building was completed around
1953. Since much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote
construction sites, hampering restoration and since a temple can be rebuilt only if at least
75% of the original masonry is available, only the foundations of most of the smaller
shrines are now visible with no plans for their reconstruction.

Contemporary Events

In the early 1990s the government removed the market that had sprung up near the
temple and transformed the surrounding villages and rice paddies into an archaeological
park. The park covers a large area, from Yogyakarta-Solo main road in the south,
encompassing the whole Prambanan complex, the ruins of Lumbung and Bubrah temples,
and as far as the Sewu temple compound in the north. In 1992 the Indonesian government
created a State-owned Limited Liability Enterprise (PERSERO) of PT Taman Wisata
Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, dan Ratu Boko. This enterprise is the authority for the
park management of Borobudur Prambanan Ratu Boko and the surrounding region.

The open-air and indoor stages on the west side of the temple right across the Opak river,
were built to stage the Ramayana ballet. This traditional Javanese dance is the centuries
old dance of the Javanese court, performed every full moon night in the Prambanan
temple since the 1960s. Since then, Prambanan has become one of the major
archaeological and cultural tourism attractions in Indonesia.
After the reconstruction of the main temples in 1990s, Prambanan once again reclaim its
status as an important religious center for Hindu rituals and ceremonies in Java. The
religious significance revival of Prambanan was due to Balinese and Javanese Hindu
communities in Yogyakarta and Central Java that annually perform their sacred
ceremonies in Prambanan, such as Galungan, Tawur Kesanga, and Nyepi.[4][5]

The temple was damaged during the May 2006 Java earthquake. Early photos suggest
that although the complex was structurally intact, the damage was significant. Large
pieces of debris, including carvings, were scattered over the ground. The temple has been
closed to visitors until the damage can be fully assessed. The head of Yogyakarta
Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that it would take months to identify the
precise extent of the damage.[6][7] However, some weeks later in 2006 the site had been re-
opened for visitors. As of 2009, the interior of most of the temples remains off-limits for
safety reasons.

Roro Jonggrang complex

The Prambanan compound also known as Loro Jonggrang complex, named after the
popular legend of Loro Jonggrang. There are 237 temples in this Shivaite temple
complex, either big or small.[8] But the majority of them have deteriorated, what is left are
only scattered stones. The Prambanan temple complex consists of three zones; first the
outer zone, second the middle zone that contains hundreds of small temples, and third the
holiest inner zone that contains eight main temples and eight small shrines.

The outer zone is a large space marked by a rectangular wall (destroyed). The original
function is unknown; possibilities are that it was a sacred park, or priests' boarding school
(ashram). The supporting buildings for the temple complex were made from organic
material; as a consequence no remains occur.

Pervara Temples

The middle zone consists of four rows of 224 individual small shrines. There are great
numbers of these temples, but most of them are still in ruins and only some have been
reconstructed. These concentric rows of temples were made in identical design. Each row
towards the center is slightly elevated. These shrines are called "Candi Perwara"
guardian or complementary temples, the additional buildings of the main temple. Some
believed it was offered to the king as a sign of submission. The Perwara are arranged in
four rows around the central temples, some believed it has something to do with four
castes, made according to the rank of the people allowed to enter them; the row nearest to
the central compound was accessible to the priests only, the other three were reserved for
the nobles, the knights, and the simple people respectively. While another believed that
the four rows of Perwara has nothing to do with four castes, it just simply made as
meditation place for priests and as worship place for devotees.

Shiva Temple
The inner zone or central compound is the holiest among the three zones. Its the square
elevated platform surrounded by square stone wall with stone gates on each four cardinal
points. This holiest compound is assembled of eight main shrines or candi. The three
main shrines, called Trimurti ("three forms"), are dedicated to the three gods: Brahma the
Creator, Vishnu the Keeper, and Shiva the Destroyer.

The Shiva temple is the tallest and largest structure in Prambanan Loro Jonggrang
complex, it measures 47 metres tall and 34 metres wide. The Shiva temple encircled with
galleries adorned with bas-reliefs telling the story of Ramayana carved on the inner walls
of the balustrades. To follow the story accordingly, visitors must enter from the east side
and began to perform pradakshina or circumambulating clockwise. The bas-reliefs of
Ramayana continued to Brahma temple galleries.

The Shiva shrine located at the center and contains five chambers, four small chambers in
every cardinal direction and one bigger main chamber in central part of the temple. The
east chamber connect to central chamber that houses the largest temple in Prambanan, a
three meter high statue of Shiva Mahadeva (the Supreme God). The statue bears Lakçana
(attributes or symbol) of Shiva such as skull and sickle (crescent) at the crown, and third
eye on the forehead, also four hands that holds Shiva's symbols: a prayer beads, feather
duster, and trisula (trident). Some historians believe that the depiction of Shiva as
Mahadeva also meant to personify king Balitung as the reincarnation of Shiva. So, when
he died, a temple was built to commemorate him as Shiva.[9] The statue of Shiva stands
on lotus pad on Yoni pedestal that bears the carving of Nāga serpents on north side of
pedestal.

The other three smaller chambers contain statues of Hindu Gods related to Shiva; his
consort Durga, the rishi Agastya, and Ganesha, his son. Statue of Agastya occupy the
south chamber, the west chamber houses the statue of Ganesha, while the north chamber
contains the statue of Durga Mahisasuramardini depicting Durga as the slayer of Bull
demon. The shrine of Durga is also called the temple of Lara Jonggrang (Javanese:
slender virgin), after a Javanese legend of princess Lara Jonggrang.

Brahma and Vishnu Temple

The two other main shrines are that of Vishnu on the north side of Shiva shrine, and the
one of Brahma on the south. Both temple facing east and each contain only one large
chamber, each dedicated to respected gods; Brahma temple contains the statue of Brahma
and Vishnu temple houses the statue of Vishnu. Brahma and Vishnu temple measures 20
metres wide and 33 metres tall.

The bas-reliefs along the balustrades on the gallery around Shiva and Brahma temple
depict the Ramayana legend. They illustrate how Sita, the wife of Rama, is abducted by
Ravana. The monkey king Hanuman brings his army to help Rama and rescue Sita. This
story is also shown by the Ramayana Ballet, regularly performed at full moon at Trimurti
open air theatre in west side of the illuminated Prambanan complex. On the balsutrades in
Vishnu temple there is series of bas-relief depict Krishnayana, the story of lord Krishna.
Vahana Temple

The other three shrine in front of three main temples is dedicated to vehicle (vahana) of
the respective gods - the bull Nandi for Shiva, the sacred swan Hamsa for Brahma, and
Vishnu's Eagle Garuda. Precisely in front of Shiva temple stands Nandi temple which
contains a statue of Nandi bull, the vehicle (vahana) of Lord Shiva. Besides it, there is
also other statues, the statue of Chandra the god of moon and Surya the god of sun.
Chandra stands on his carriage pulled by 10 horses, and the statue of Surya also standing
on a carriage pulled by 7 horses.[10] Facing Brahma temple is the temple of Hamsa or
Angsa (sacred swan). In the chamber of this temple contains no statue. But it seems likely
that there was once a statue of the sacred swan, vehicle of god Brahma. In front of
Vishnu temple is the temple dedicated for Garuda, however just like the Hamsa temple,
Garuda temple contains no statue. Probably this temple once contains the statue of
Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu. Garuda holds important role for Indonesia, which serves
as the national symbol of Indonesia, also to the airline Garuda Indonesia.

Between these row of main temple, on north and south side stands two Candi Apit.
Beside these 8 main temples, there's also 8 smaller shrines; 4 Candi Kelir on four
cardinal direction of the entrance, and 4 Candi Patok on four corner.

Architecture

The cross section of Shiva temple

The architecture of Prambanan temple follows the typical Hindu architecture traditions
based on Vastu Shastra. The temple design incorporated mandala temple plan
arrangements and also the typical high towering spires of Hindu temples. Prambanan was
originally named Shivagrha and dedicated to god Shiva. The temple was designed to
mimic Meru, the holy mountain the abode of Hindu gods, and the home of Shiva. The
whole temple complex is a model of Hindu universe according to Hindu cosmology and
the layers of Loka.

Just like Borobudur, Prambanan also recognize the hierarchy of the temple zones,
spanned from the less holy to the holiest realms. Each Hindu and Buddhist concepts has
their own terms, but the concept's essentials is identical. Either the compound site plan
(horizontally) or the temple structure (vertically) are consists of three zones:[11]

• Bhurloka (in Buddhism: Kāmadhātu), the lowest realm of common mortals;

humans, animals also demons. Where humans still binded by their lust, desire and
unholly way of life. The outer courtyard and the foot (base) part of each temples
is symbolized the realm of bhurloka.
• Bhuvarloka (in Buddhism: Rupadhatu), the middle realm of holy people, rishis,
ascetics, and lesser gods. People here began to see the light of truth. The middle
courtyard and the body of each temples is symbolized the realm of bhuvarloka.
• Svarloka (in Buddhism: Arupadhatu), the highest and holiest realm of gods, also
known as svargaloka. The inner cortyard and the roof of each temples is
 symbolized the realm of svarloka. The roof of the Prambanan temples is adorned
and crowned with ratna (sanskirt: jewel). In ancient Java temple architecture,
ratna is Hindu counterpart of Buddhist stupa, and served as the temple's pinnacle.

During the restoration, a well which contains pripih (stone casket) was discovered under
the center of the Shiva temple. The main temple has a well of 5.75 m depth in which a
stone casket was found on top a pile of charcoal, earth and remains of burned animal
bones. Sheets of gold leaves with the inscription Varuna (god of the sea) and Parvata
(god of the mountains) were found here. The stone casket contained sheets of copper
mixed with charcoal, ashes and earth, 20 coins, jewels, glass, pieces of gold and silver
leaves, seashells and 12 gold leaves (5 of which in the shape of a turtle, Nāga serpent,
padma, altar and egg).[12]

[edit] The legend

The popular legend of Loro Jonggrang is what connects the site of the Ratu Boko Palace,
the origin of the Durga statue in northern cell/chamber of the main shrine, and the origin
of the Sewu temple temple complex nearby. The legend tells of the story about Prince
Bandung Bondowoso who fell in love with Princess Loro Jonggrang, the daughter of
King Boko. But the princess rejected his proposal of marriage because Bandung
Bondowoso had killed King Boko and ruled her kingdom. Bandung Bondowoso insisted
on the union, and finally Loro Jonggrang was forced to agree for a union in marriage, but
she posed one impossible condition: Bandung must build her a thousand temples in only
one night.

The Prince entered into meditation and conjured up a multitude of spirits (demons) from
the earth. Helped by supernatural beings, he succeeded in building 999 temples. When
the prince was about to complete the condition, the princess woke her palace maids and
ordered the women of the village to begin pounding rice and set a fire in the east of the
temple, attempting to make the prince and the spirits believe that the sun was about to
rise. As the cocks began to crow, fooled by the light and the sounds of morning time, the
supernatural helpers fled back into the ground. The prince was furious about the trick and
in revenge he cursed Loro Jonggrang to stone. She became the last and the most beautiful
of the thousand statues. According to the traditions, the unfinished thousandth temple
created by the demons become the Sewu temple compounds nearby (Sewu means
"thousands" in Javanese), and the Princess is the image of Durga in the north cell of the
Shiva temple at Prambanan, which is still known as Loro Jonggrang or Slender Virgin.

Other temples around Prambanan

Temples and archaeological sites in Prambanan Plain

The Prambanan Plain span between southern slopes of Merapi volcano in the north and
Sewu mountain range in the south, near the present border Yogyakarta province and
Klaten Regency, Central Java. Apart from the Lara Jonggrang complex, Prambanan
plain, valley and hills around it is the location of some of the earliest Buddhist temples in
Indonesia. Not far to the north are found the ruins of Bubrah temple, Lumbung temple,
and Sewu temple. Further east are found Plaosan temple. To the west are found Kalasan
temple and Sari temple, further to the west are Sambisari temple. While to the south the
Ratu Boko compounds on higher ground. The discoveries of archaeological sites
scattered only a few miles away suggested that this area was an important religious,
political, and urban center.

North of the Lara Jongrang complex

• Candi Lumbung. Buddhist-style, consisting of one main temple surrounded by

16 smaller ones.
• Candi Bubrah. Buddhist temple still in ruins.
• Candi Sewu. Buddhist temple complex, older than Roro Jonggrang. A main
sanctuary surrounded by many smaller temples. Well preserved guardian statues,
replicas of which stand in the central courtyard at the Jogja Kraton.
• Candi Morangan. Hindu temple complex buried several meters under volcanic
ashes, located northwest from Prambanan.

Candi Plaosan in Prambanan (9th century).

• Candi Plaosan. Buddhist, probably 9th century. Thought to have been built by a
Hindu king for his Buddhist queen. Two main temples with reliefs of Boddhisatva
and Tara. Also rows of slender stupas.

South of the Lara Jongrang complex

• Ratu Boko. Complex of fortified gates, bathing pools, and elevated walled stone
enclosure, all located on top of the hill.
• Candi Sajiwan. Buddhist temple decorated with reliefs concerning education.
The base and staircase are decorated with animal fables.
• Candi Banyunibo. A Buddhist temple with unique design of roof.
• Candi Barong. A Hindu temple complex with large stepped stone courtyard.
Located on the slope of the hill.
• Candi Ijo. A cluster of Hindu temple located near the top of Ijo hill. The main
temple houses a large lingam and yoni.
• Arca Bugisan. Seven Buddha and bodhisattva statues, some collapsed,
representing different poses and expressions.

West of the Lara Jongrang complex

• Candi Kalasan. 8th century Buddhist temple built in commemoration of the

marriage of a king and his princess bride, ornamented with finely carved reliefs.
• Candi Sari. Once a sanctuary for Buddhist priests. 8th century. Nine stupas at the
top with two rooms beneath, each believed to be places for priests to meditate.
 • Candi Sambisari. 9th century Hindu temple discovered in 1966, once buried
6.5 metres under volcanic ash. The main temple houses a linga and yoni, and the
wall surround it displayed the images of Agastya, Durga, and Ganesha.
• Candi Gebang. A small Hindu temple discovered in 1937 located near the
Yogyakarta northern ring-road. The temple display the statue of Ganesha and
interesting carving of faces on the roof section.
• Candi Gana. Rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones. Frequent
representations of children or dwarfs with raised hands. Located in the middle of
housing complex. Under restoration since 1997.
• Candi Kedulan. Discovered in 1994 by sand diggers, 4m deep. Square base of
main temple visible. Secondary temples not yet fully excavated

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan