The Buddhist site of Borobudur is on the volcanic island of Java, Indonesia. It has several monuments, including one of the largest in the world of its category. In the middle of the mountains and the tropical jungle, this site is simply magical. Discover the characteristics of this temple and the practical information for a successful visit.
All About Borobudur
It was during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty on Java that the Borobudur temple was built in the center of the island. This was constructed more precisely between the 8th and 9th centuries on a hill in the Kedu Valley. It is composed of three floors with a pyramidal base and at the top, a gigantic stupa.
Further east on this same site are also two small temples. The first is that of Mendut, which represents Buddha accompanied by two Boddhisattvas. The second is the smaller temple of Pawon, which does not reveal the deity they wished to represent.
The temple was created to be used as a Buddhist temple and was therefore used as such until between the 10th and 15th centuries. The Borobudur temple was then abandoned with the decline of Buddhism, until its rediscovery in the 19th century. Since then, it has been restored in the 20th century and is today a Buddhist archaeological site, as well as a major tourist attraction on the island of Java. The monument has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
Visit This Religious and Historical Site in Java
To optimize your visit to this remarkable site, it is best to go very early in the morning. However, access to the site at dawn is higher than the rest of the day, but it is well worth it. To do this, arrive at 4:30 am at the entrance to the Borobudur site. This tour schedule is perfect for avoiding the crowds. Additionally, it is less hot and, above all, the colors are magnificent. Once you reach the top of the temple using lamps to dispel the darkness, you will watch the day dawn little by little. You will see the temple, the stupas, and the jungle around you slowly appear. Once the day is fully up, go back down the steps and contemplate this building and its statues of Buddhas from below.
In the same region are the Hindu temples of Prambanan. It is possible to visit both sites on the same day, as only fifty kilometers separate them.
