Architectural wonders of hinduism : Prambanan Temple,Indonesia.
Prambanan temple is one of the most beautiful temple’s in the world. It’s also the largest Hindu relic in Indonesia , existing in Central Java and Yogyakarta. It’s located approximately 17-20 kilometers in east of Yogyakarta. The main temple on the Prambanan temple complex leads to the east, with the temple height reaching about 47 meters. Prambanan Temple is often also known as the name of Roro Jonggrang temple.
Comprising the remains of some 244 temples, World Heritage–listed Prambanan is one of Southeast Asia's major attractions. The highlight is the central compound, where eight main and eight minor temples are assembled on a raised platform – an architectural crescendo of carved masonry and staircases, the high note of which is Candi Shiva Mahadeva. Prambanan sits within a large park dotted with lesser temples – a day is needed to do the site justice.
Prambanan Temple or Roro Jonggrang Temple is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. This temple is dedicated to Trimurti, the three major Hindu gods. Consist of Brahma as the creator god, Vishnu as the keeper god, and Shiva as the god of destruction. Also in the Garbagriha (main room) there is statue of Shiva Mahadeva as high as three meter. That shows that in this temple Shiva god takes the highest place.
Scholars say that the massive Hindu temple was first built in a smaller scale by Rakai Pikatan, a king from Sanjaya Dynasty of Mataram Kingdom in Central Java, and expanded by his successive kings into the massive complex that we know now. The initial temple was built around 850 CE. It’s unknown whether this is before or after the construction of Prambanan, but through a political marriage with princess Pramodawardhani from the Syailendra Dynasty, the king managed to merge the two dynasties and the kingdom holds both Hinduism and Buddhism as its religion.
But the Prambanan Temple was abandoned around the 10th century. Some say it was because of Mount Merapi’s eruption, while others believe it’s due to a political struggle. The kingdom moved its court to East Java, and the temple left forgotten, decayed due to abandonment and devastated by various natural disasters, including a major earthquake in the 16th century. In 1811, the British administration rediscovered the temple by chance. But it’s not until 1930 that a restoration initiative started, a process that is still not nearly completed even until now.
Impressive and significant as it is, a more popular and interesting legend often takes precedence in social discourse when explaining how the grand structure came to be. The legend tells a story about a Javanese princess named Loro Jonggrang, whose father was defeated in battle and forced to marry the victor, Prince Bandung Bondowoso. She agreed to the marriage on the condition that the prince builds 1000 statues before sunrise. The princess panicked when she saw Prince Bandung almost completing the task with the help of the spirits, so she set fire to the east of the temple, tricking the roosters into thinking it was dawn. As the roosters crowed, the spirits fled, and the prince, furious by the princess’ trick, turned her into stone !
Structure of the Temple :
Based on Vaastu Shastra, the structure of the temple displays traditional Hindu architectural designs of mandala (a spiritual symbolic representation of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist religions) and spiral towers. The temple compound consists 240 temples that include 3 Trimurti temples, 2 Apit and Vahana temples, 4 Patok and Kelir temples, and 234 Pervara temples
A total number 8 shrines are located in the 4 Kelir and Patok temples. The square planned temple complex consists 3 zone yards, surrounded by four pierced walls with large gates. The holiest of the 3 zones, the central zone is assembled of eight focal shrines, of which the 3 Trimurti shrines are the manifestation of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
The Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple, dedicated to Shiva, is not only the larges of the temples of Prambanan but also the finest. The main spire is incredibly 47 m high and it`s rocks are beautifully carved. The Shiva temple contains five chambers, four small chambers in every cardinal direction and one bigger main chamber in central part of the temple. It`s base is decorated with small lions flanked by kalpatura (trees of heaven), as well as stylised half-human and half-bird kinnara (heavenly beings).
While the carvings on the inner wall is impressive and interesting, the icing on the cake is inside the main chamber at the top of the eastern stairway which contains a four-armed statue of Shiva the Destroyer.
The notable thing about the Shiva statue is that the Hindu god stands on a gigantic lotus flower, which is a symbol of Buddhism. So the Shiva temple is a mix of Hindu and Buddhism, which is very rare and a bit odd.
Scientists believe that the reason for this is that Prambanan was built when the princess of the Buddhist Sailendras dynasty (ruling the south of Java) and the prince of the Hindu Sanjayas of Old Mataram (ruling the north of Java) were married, uniting the two dynasties into one. This may be one reason why the Prambanan temple complex has architecture elements of both Hindu and Buddhism.
The Candi Vishnu temple is smaller than the impressive Shiva Mahadeva temple and sits just north of it, reaching 33 m in hight. You have to walk the steep stairs up to the top plateau. And it is totally worth the climb as the temple is magnificent containing reliefs telling the story of Lord Krishna who is the hero of the Mahabharata story and an incarnation of the Preserver of the Universe - LORD VISHNU . The most impressive part of this temple is the statue of a four-armed Lord Vishnu the Preserver in the inner chamber. It is so really big and beautifully carved.
This temple is the twin temple of Candi Vishnu, as they are exactly similar . It is situated just south of the big Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple, so the two twin temples make a nice symmetric scene.Brahma temple is beautifully carved with the final scenes of the story of Ramayana (starting in the Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple).When you enter this temple, remember to look up and admire the spectacular “monster mouth” doorway, which is beautiful.
In front of the big Shiva temple there are three smaller temples dedicated to vehicle’s (vahana) of the respective Gods:
Nandi temple – Contains a statue of bull Nandi belonging to Shiva, as well as the statue of Chandra the god of moon and Surya the god of sun.
Hamsa/ Angsa temple – Contains no statue, but it probably once housed a statue of the sacred swan Hamsa for the god Brahma.
Garuda temple – Neither this temple contains a statue. Probably this temple once contained the statue of kite Garuda belonging to god Vishnu. Garuda holds an important role for Indonesia, as it serves as the national symbol of Indonesia, and also as the name of the airline Garuda Indonesia.
More than just an architectural feat of the 9th century, Prambanan Temple is a mystical cultural site with a rich and intricate history that tourists have to realise to thoroughly grasp the true charm of the place. For culture enthusiasts, who are interested in more than just exotic selfies in front of grand monument’s, we hope you find our guide to Indonesia’s Prambanan Temple useful for your expedition’s.