Borobudur – The world's largest Buddhist temple
Borobudur , is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. The temple is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, as well as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.
Evidence suggests Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century and abandoned following the 14th-century decline of Hindu kingdoms in Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam. Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. 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. Once a year, Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia’s single most visited tourist attraction.
How to get to Borobudur
I flew with Garuda airlines from Jakarta to Yogjakarta. Right out of the terminal in Yogjakarta there is a bus terminal (Damri bus). You can take a minibus direct to Borobudur or you can use a public transport, which takes longer and you have to change buses. I chose to sleep near the temple complex, to be able to catch sunrise the next day on the temple. You have to reserve the ticket and you can do this at Manohara. The main gates to the complex opens at 6AM, but if you buy your sunrise ticket at Manohara, you can go to the temple at 4AM and wait for the sunrise. The price for sunrise ticket is 380.000 per person.
The sun comes up from behind the volcanoes in the distance.
I really recommend early sunrise tour. After 6AM there will be a huge number of tourist coming in.
Even from a distance, Borobudur looks majestic
Model of the temple – you can clearly see all the levels of the temple
More useful info
- Entry ticket is 380.000 per person
- Damri bus from Yogja to Borobudur is 75.000 for two
- If you stay at Manohara hotel you have free entrance to the temple for 24hours and discount for sunrise tour