Borobudur Temple

The Biggest Buddhist Temple, Borobudur Temple

By Bram P

Borobudur temple is the biggest Buddhist temple in Indonesia with around 118 meter long on each side and 42 meter high. This temple is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in the world with 1,460 relief panels, which also there are story relief panel of Lelitavistara, Jataka/Avadana, Gandawyuha and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. Borobudur temple also acknowledged as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991.

According to Karangtengah dan Kahulunan epigraph, the temple was build by King Samaratungga from Syailendra dynasty around year 824. The name Borobudur was probably named after word “bara” in Sansekerta language, which is mean “complex of monastery” and word “beduhur”, which is mean “high”. So, the Borobudur name means a complex of monastery in higher land.

The Borobudur temple construction is ten terraces building. The temple comprises six square platforms. Above the square platform is three circular platforms and the main dome is located at the top of them. At the main dome lies Buddha statue inside perforated stone (stupa) facing westward and surrounded by another 72 Buddha statues inside perforated stone.  Each step of terrace symbolizes the stage of human life in Mahayana philosophy. There are ten stage of Bodhisattva for human must go through to reach the fullness stage of Buddha.

The journey begins at the base of the temple, this stage named after Kamadathu. This symbolizes human are bounded by “kama” or lust. In this level we can see 120 carved stone story panel Kammawibhangga.

The upper four level floors are named after Rupadhatu. This level symbolizes human have set them free from lust but still bounded by body form and shape. In this level Buddha statues are placed in open area and hole in the wall.

From fifth to seventh level floors are named after Arupadhatu. This level symbolizes human have set them free from all of lust, body form and shape. In this level Buddha statue seated inside perforated stone (stupa).

At top of the level floor is named after Arupa. This level symbolizes nirvana where Buddha is resided. Here you can see spectacular volcanoes. Mount Merapi and Merbabu in the eastern and Mount Sindoro and Sumbing. The unusual jagged Menoreh Hills encircle the temple to the South and West.

Inside Borobudur temple complex area there are also 2 free entrance museums, Kapal Samudraraksa museum and Karmawibhangga museum. In Kapal Samudraraksa museum you can see Samudraraksa ship which used to sailed by ancestor and their outfits. In Karmawibhangga museum consist of the renovation history and process about Borobudur.

How to get there?

• Borobudur temple is located on a small hill in the Kedu Basin, Borobudur village, Magelang district, Central Java.
• The distance from Yogyakarta is around 45 km northwest or 1.5 hour driving.
• The distance from Semarang is around 100 km southwest or 2.5 hour driving.
• The entrance of Borobudur Park is located in Jalan Badrawati, Borobudur.

(See Google map here)

Administrator office

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Prambanan Ratu Boko
Jl. Raya Jogya-Solo Km 16 Prambanan, Yogyakarta 55571

Phone: (62 274) 496-402 / 496-406

Fax: (62 274) 496-404

E-mail: corporate@borobudurpark.co.id

Representative office

Menara Batavia 25^th floor

Jl. K.H Mas Mansyur Kav 126, Jakarta 10220

Phone: (62 21) 5793-0331

Fax: (62 21) 5793-0330

E-mail: jakarta@ borobudurpark.co.id

Public transportation to museum

Public bus from Jogja terminal Giwangan or Jombor, cost IDR 15,000-20,000 one way (2009). Get down at Mendut temple, the distance to Borobudur temple around 500 meters.

If you from Semarang, take bus to Yogyakarta and get down in Magelang terminal. Afterward take micro bus to Borobudur and cost you around IDR 6,000.

Travel tips

• Borobudur Park opens daily from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm
• Entrance fee for domestic tourist is IDR 12,000 (week days) - 15,000 (Saturday & Sunday) each and USD 7 - 12 each for foreign tourist.
• The best time to visit is from 7.00 to 9.00 am or 3.00 to 6.00 pm
• There are restaurants, merchandise shop and hotel around.
• You are not allowed taking food or snack to enter Borobudur Park, only drinking water.
• Prepare yourself in fit condition to walk and climb to the temple. The distance from entrance gate to the temple is around 1 km or you can take public transport.

Also, check out my other guide on Bandung City and Tanah Lot Bali

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