Hello PikiranMedia’s Friends, Rediscovering Indonesia’s Cultural Gem: The Restoration and Preservation of Candi Borobudur

Introduction

Indonesia is a country with rich culture and history, and one of its most valuable treasures is Candi Borobudur, a Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java. Candi Borobudur was built in the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty and it is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the world. However, time and nature had caused damage to the temple. That’s why the Indonesian Government has been working to restore and preserve this cultural gem for future generations. In this article, we will go deeper into the history of Candi Borobudur and the restoration and preservation process undertaken.

History of Candi Borobudur

Candi Borobudur was built in the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty, which ruled from 750 to 842 AD. The temple was built as a place for Buddhist pilgrimage, and it consists of three levels: the bottom level represents the world of desire, the middle level represents the world of form, and the top level represents the world of formlessness. The temple is decorated with stone reliefs that tell stories from Buddhist teachings.

The Restoration Process

Candi Borobudur had suffered from natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as well as human activities like vandalism and looting. That’s why the Indonesian Government has been working since 1907 to restore and preserve this cultural gem. The first major restoration took place between 1975 and 1982, and it was funded by UNESCO. The restoration involved disassembling the temple and reassembling it, as well as structural reinforcement to prevent further damage.

Since then, there have been ongoing restoration efforts to maintain the temple’s condition. The restoration process includes cleaning the temple’s stones, repairing damages, and reinforcing the structure. The Government has also implemented measures to prevent further damage, such as banning visitors from climbing the temple and limiting the number of visitors.

The Preservation Efforts

The preservation of Candi Borobudur goes beyond the restoration process. The Government has implemented measures to protect the temple’s surroundings and ensure the safety of the tourists. The temple’s surroundings are protected from urbanization, and new constructions are not allowed in the area. To ensure the safety of the tourists, the Government has implemented a system to monitor the temple’s condition, and there are regular inspections to detect any potential damage.

The Importance of Restoring and Preserving Candi Borobudur

Candi Borobudur is not just a temple, but a cultural gem that represents Indonesia’s rich history and tradition. It is also considered one of the Seven Wonders of the world, and it attracts a large number of tourists every year. The restoration and preservation of Candi Borobudur is essential to ensure that future generations can also enjoy and learn from this valuable treasure.

The Impact of Candi Borobudur on Tourism

Candi Borobudur is one of Indonesia’s top tourist destinations, and it has a significant impact on the tourism industry. The restoration and preservation of the temple have led to an increase in the number of tourists, which has boosted the local economy. Tourists not only visit the temple but also stay in the nearby cities and towns, which benefits local businesses.

The Future of Candi Borobudur

The restoration and preservation efforts of Candi Borobudur are ongoing, and the Government plans to continue maintaining the temple’s condition. The Indonesian Government has also launched various initiatives to promote the temple, such as cultural events and digital campaigns. These initiatives aim to attract more tourists and promote the temple as a valuable cultural gem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the restoration and preservation of Candi Borobudur is an essential effort to maintain Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. The temple represents the country’s history and tradition, and it attracts a significant number of tourists every year, which benefits the local economy. The Indonesian Government’s ongoing efforts to restore and preserve Candi Borobudur are commendable, and we should all appreciate and support these initiatives.

Thank you for reading this article, and we hope you have learned something new about Candi Borobudur! Goodbye, until our next interesting article.