JAVA ALBUM is a collection of photographs on different aspects of Javanese life.

 

Central Java is a magical place. Its Hindu-Buddhist tradition, multi-religious present, spectacular ceremonies, royal courts, lush nature and tropical climate mesmerize the observer.

 

The first extensive section of the JAVA ALBUM project is about the 'Sacred Places of Central Java'.

It is encompassing Hindu and Buddhist temples from the 7th to the 10th centuries, sacred water sources, meditation caves, respected graveyards and other places of pilgrimage in Central Java.

 

For the first part of Hindu and Buddhist temples from the 7th to the 10th centuries I used two main written sources, for which I would like to kindly thank the authors:

Candi Space and Landscape: A Study on the Distribution, Orientation and Spatial Organization of Central Javanese Temple Remains, Leiden, 2009.

by Véronique Myriam Yvonne Degroot

and

Situs-situs Marjinal/Santuaires Retrouvés/Sites out of Sight, Jogjakarta, 2002.

by M. Rizky Sasono, Ferry Ardyanto, Jean-Pascal Elbaz.

 

The cover picture of this FlickR account is the first page of Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn's Java Album from the year 1856.

 

In the sections after the topic 'Sacred Places of Central Java' I will publish photographs on the vivid traditional art forms of the region (gamelan, wayang, dances, batik, topeng, jathilan, ketoprak, etc.), royal and village ceremonies, religious ceremonies of different Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Kejawen communities and on the culture of the royal palaces of Yogyakarta and Surakarta.

 

I hope you enjoy this visual discovery of the complex and wonderful world of Central Java, Indonesia.

 

I started to research and photograph aspects of the Javanese culture(s) more than five years ago.

Many people helped me on my way to be able to invest the needed time and energy.

I thank deeply for the important support of Lea Erawati, Harold van Oostrom, Szilvia Szabo, Dwi Sujanti Nugraheni, Evi Nila Dewi, Rosa Grabe, my parents and Jozsef Berta.

  

You can find a content list of the respective albums of the collection JAVA ALBUM below:

 

----------------------------------------------------- 'Sacred Places of Central Java' -----------------------------------------------

 

In the very first album you can see a summary: One photo of each temple of the Central Javanese Period of temple architecture.

The following albums are more detailed and geographically organized.

 

Sacred Places: OVERVIEW OF CENTRAL JAVANESE TEMPLES

 

Sacred Places #1: THE BUDDHIST TEMPLES OF PRAMBANAN - Candi Lumbung, Candi Bubrah, Candi Sewu, Candi Gana, Candi Plaosan Kidul, Candi Plaosan Lor.

 

Sacred Places #2: THE LORO JONGGRANG GROUP IN PRAMBANAN

 

Sacred Places #3: TEMPLES SOUTH OF PRAMBANAN - Candi Sojiwan, Sumberwatu, Arca Ganesha, Dawangsari, Candi Barong, Candi Miri, Watu Gudig, Candi Banyunibo, Arca Gupolo, Candi Ijo, Sumur Bandung.

 

Sacred Places #4: RATU BOKO

 

Sacred Places #5: TEMPLES WEST OF PRAMBANAN - Candi Kalasan, Candi Sari, Arca Bugisan, Candi Kedulan, Candi Sambisari, Candi Kadisoka.

 

Sacred Places #6: TEMPLES EAST OF YOGYAKARTA - Gua Sentono, Candi Abang, Candi Klodangan, Candi Gampingan, Situs Payak, Situs Mantup, Candi Plembutan, Candi Risan, Watu Gilang Baturetno.

 

Sacred Places #7: TEMPLES ON MOUNT MERAPI - WEST AND SOUTH - Candi Asu Sengi, Candi Pendem Sengi, Candi Lumbung Sengi, Archeological Collection Turi, Candi Palgading, Candi Kimpulan, Candi Gebang, Candi Morangan, Archeological Collection Gempol Morangan.

 

Sacred Places #8: TEMPLES ON MOUNT MERAPI - SOUTHEAST AND EAST - Candi Merak, Candi Karangnongko, Candi Sari Cepogo, Candi Lawang Cepogo, Petirtaan Cabean Kunti and Sumur Songo.

 

Sacred Places #9: TEMPLES OF THE PROGO VALLEY - Candi Mendut, Candi Pawon, Candi Ngawen, Candi Gunung Sari, Candi Gunung Wukir, Candi Losari, Archeological Collection Seyegan.

 

Sacred Places #10: BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

 

Sacred Places #11: TEMPLES OF THE KEDU PLAIN - Candi Selogriyo, Candi Retno, Candi Umbul, Tukmas Inscription, Candi Gondosuli, Candi Pringapus and Candi Liyangan.

 

Sacred Places #12: GEDONG SONGO TEMPLE - Candi Gedong Songo, Candi Asu Bandungan and Candi Tugu.

 

Sacred Places #13: TEMPLES AROUND MOUNT MERBABU - Candi Dukuh, Lingga and Yoni on Bukit Cinta, Kaliklotok Site, Candi Kalitaman, Arca Ganesha Sikunir, Candi Ngempon, Candi Senjoyo, Candi Klero.

 

Sacred Places #14: TEMPLES OF THE DIENG PLATEAU - Candi Arjuna, Candi Semar, Candi Srikandi, Candi Puntadewa, Candi Sembadra, Candi Setyaki and Candi Gatotkaca, Candi Bima, Candi Dwarawati.

 

…and more is following.

  

Copyright Note

Please note that all my images are copyrighted and cannot be used without my approval. Please contact me if you would like to use any of the pictures for any purposes.

In case of educational, artistic and other cultural usage you won't be charged for the picture rights, but you still need my written permission for any reproduction, publishing and copies. Thank you for your understanding.