Borobudur

(Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia)

Borobudur as I know (or maybe I'm wrong:D) means a temple high on top of a hill. I think this place was amazing. And, as I know Borobudur is a combination with two words, BARA and BUDUR. Bara is actually derived from a Sanskrit word VIHARA which means a complex of temples, monastery or dormitory. While BUDUR is derived from the Balinese BIDUHUR, which means high. The Borobudur Temple is considered as one of the seven wonders of the world. This temple is located at Borobudur District, South of Magelang, Central Java.

If You are interested with the Borubudur history, this is a few description about it from Wikipedia (Please visit wikipedia for more detail).
Borobudur is a ninth century Mahayana Buddhist monument. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome is located at the center of the top platform, and is surrounded by seventy-two Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely, Kamadhatu (the world of desire); Rupadhatu (the world of forms); and Arupadhatu (the world of formless). During the journey, the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the wall and the balustrades.

Evidence suggests Borobudur was abandoned following the fourteenth century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam. It was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, the British ruler of Java. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage, where once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction. (Fiuh...)

A few tips
1. Before You go to Borobudur, don’t forget to bring Your pen, booknote, and camera (bring Your sunblock too:)).
2. Entrance fees for Borobudur is about USD 10.
3. Take a guide for the temple tour, if You want to have as much information on this temple as possible.
4. Or You can buy this book : “Borobudur - The Golden Tales of Buddhas” and “Chandi Borobudur - A Monument of Mankind by Dr. Soekmono”.


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