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ViewFinders_Overseas_Outing Aug 2010- Jakarta --> Surabaya --> Bromo --> Solo --> Jogjakarta

 

Prambanan, the Most Beautiful Hindu Temple in the World

 

Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns

of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than

Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu

triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, among an area that now

functions as beautiful park.

 

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man

named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make

her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang

asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to

be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.

 

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples.

Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main

temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda

for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area,

there are 224 temples.

Done