The Story of Candi Borobudur: An Architectural Marvel
Hello PikiranMedia’s Friends,
Indonesia is home to many amazing ancient temples, but Candi Borobudur is considered one of the most impressive. Located in central Java, this Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting millions of visitors every year. Let’s explore the story of this architectural marvel.
Candi Borobudur is believed to have been built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty. Its purpose was a place of worship for the Buddhas, but after several centuries, it fell into disuse and was largely forgotten. Over time, it also suffered from natural disasters and neglect, causing significant damage to the site.
The temple complex was rediscovered in the early 19th century by Sir Thomas Raffles, the British governor of Java. He heard stories of a large ancient structure hidden by volcanic ash and rainforests. The site was heavily overgrown and to clear it, Raffles had to hire around 200 laborers for the task.
The process was brought to a halt when Raffles was called back to England, and it wasn’t until 1835 when Dutch engineer Cornelius discovered the foundation of the temple. He then cleared the temple stones and began rebuilding the temple. His efforts were continued by a series of dedicated scholars and workers over the decades, the temple complex was full revitalized.
Today, Candi Borobudur has nine platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. The temple is decorated by over 2,600 reliefs that depict stories of the Buddha’s life alongside Javanese life at the time they were built.
The temple’s design is also said to represent the Buddhist cosmology of the three divisions of the universe – the world of desire, the world of form, and the world of formless – with each platform depicting a specific level of enlightening.
There are 72 stupas inside the temple, each containing a Buddha statue. Meanwhile, a larger central stupa sits atop the temple, and contains no less than 500 Buddha statues.
Candi Borobudur became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and has since undergone several restorations, including one in the 1970s that took over a decade to complete. Today, it stands tall as an inspiring testament to Javanese creativity and engineering ingenuity from the ancient era.
Conclusion
It’s no wonder that Candi Borobudur is known as an architectural marvel! From the intricate design to the historical significance, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Borobudur temple. If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, make sure Candi Borobudur is on your itinerary, and don’t forget to visit the nearby temples of Prambanan and Mendut, too. See you in my next article. Goodbye!