Candi Borobudur

Have you heard about Candi Borobudur? Ok I’ll ask you about Candi Borobudur. Candi Borobudur is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex, and also famous Buddhist temple that located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia since the 8^thcentury, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CandiBrobudur is the one of world's truly great ancient monuments. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m². Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.

Borobudur was built around 800 BC or 9th century. Borobudur was built by the followers of Mahayana Buddhism during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty. This temple was built in the Sailendra dynasty. Borobudur founder, King Samaratungga from dynastic or Sailendra dynasty. The possibility of this temple was built around 824 AD and was completed around the year 900 AD during the reign of Queen Pramudawardhani who is the daughter of Samaratungga. While the architects who contributed to build this temple according to the story of hereditary named Gunadharma.

The word Borobudur itself by first written evidence written by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Governor General of Great Britain in Java, which gave the name of this temple. There is no written evidence that older who gave it the name Borobudur temple. The only documents that indicate the existence oldest temple is Nagarakretagama book, which was written by MPU Prapanca in 1365. In the book written that the temple was used as a place of Buddhist meditation.

The meaning of the name Borobudur "monastery in the hills", which is derived from the word "bara" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high place) in Sanskrit. Therefore, in accordance with the meaning of the name Borobudur, then this place since it was used as a place of Buddhist worship.

This temple for centuries no longer used. Then because of volcanic eruptions, most of the buildings covered Borobudur volcanic soil. In addition, the building is covered with trees and shrubs for centuries. Then the building of this temple began to be forgotten in the days of Islam arrived in Indonesia around the 15th century.

In 1814 when the British occupied Indonesia, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles heard of the discovery of giant archaeological object in the village BumisegoroMagelang. Due to the great interest the history of Java, then immediately ordered Raffles HC Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, to investigate the discovery of the location it is a hill covered with shrubs.

Cornelius assisted by about 200 men cut down trees and remove shrubs that covered the giant building. Because the building is already fragile and could collapse, then report to the Raffles Cornelius invention includes several images. Because of the discovery, Raffles was honored as the person who started the restoration of Borobudur and got the attention of the world. In 1835, the entire area of ​​the temple has been excavated. The temple continues restored the Dutch colonial period.

After Indonesian independence, in 1956, the Indonesian government requested the assistance of UNESCO to examine the damage to Borobudur. Then in 1963, out of the official Indonesian government's decision to conduct the restoration of Borobudur temple with the help of UNESCO. But this restoration was only really started on August 10, 1973. The process of restoration was completed in 1984.

Borobudur has 10 levels consisting of 6 levels of a square, circular level 3 circular and a main stupa as a peak. At every level there are several stupas. Altogether there are 72 stupas in addition to the main stupa. In each there is a statue of Buddha stupa. Ten levels of Buddhist philosophy which ten Bodhisattva levels which must pass to reach the perfection of the Buddha in nirvana. This perfection symbolized by the main stupa at the top level. Borobudur structure when viewed from the top to form a mandala structure depicting Buddhist cosmology and human thinking.

On the four sides of the temple there is a gate and stairs to the level above it like a pyramid. This illustrates the Buddhist philosophy that all life came from rocks. Stone then into the sand, and then into plants, then into the insect, then into wild animals and pets, and the last to be human. This process is referred to as reincarnation. The last process is the soul and eventually get into nirvana. Each stage of enlightenment in this life process is based on the philosophy of Buddha depicted in the reliefs and sculptures in the entire Borobudur.

This huge building just a giant pile of stone blocks which have a total height of 42 meters. Each stone spliced without using cement or adhesive. These stones are only connected by patterns and stacked. The base of Borobudur temple is about 118 m on each side. The stones used approximately 55,000 cubic meters. All stones are taken from the river around Borobudur. These stones are cut and transported and connected with a pattern like the lego games. All without the use of glue or cement.

While relief began to be made after the completion of rocks stacked and connected. Reliefs found on the walls of the temple. Borobudur has 2670 different relief. Relief is read clockwise. This relief depicts a story that I read it begins and ends at the gate to the east. This suggests that the main gate facing east Borobudur like most other Buddhist temples.

Borobudur temple-shaped building punden consisting of six levels. Three levels of rectangular while the three next level with stupa-shaped roundabout in the middle. Levels are built is a reflection of the Bodhisattva journey to reach the level of perfection as a Buddhist. On the walls of the temple are decorated with reliefs containing stories. Total figurawhich contains reliefs amount 1460. Uniquely, the carved story read clockwise. Starting from the left gate and ends at the right of the gate at every level.

Borobudur became one proof of the greatness and the human intellect has ever made in Indonesia. Borobudur become the main cultural attractions in Indonesia. After visiting Borobudur, you can also visit the surrounding villages like Karanganyar which has some interesting sights.

Borobudur be a special place because of different from other sites, until today still used by Buddhists to celebrate the days of magnitude. Privileges and grandeur of Borobudur is what makes us proud to have it.

If you go there, you will be satisfied with it. So many people want to go there especially in holiday from many countries.If you want to go there, you can departure by car , by bus, by plane, or by train.  I ever go to Borobudur temple in holiday for many times. At last time when I go there, I went by car with my big family. I was very surprised because of many visitors to see it. I was got difficult in walking around Borobudur. But I was not disappointed with the view of Borobudur and it’s unforgettable moment. When I was there during the afternoon, I saw a beautiful sunset and also I  took a photo with tourists, bought some souvenirs like a t-shirt with a Borobudur temple printing, many kind of mini architechture of Borobudur and etc. After that you can also stay in hotel around Borobudur. The famous hotel in Borobudur is Manohara Hotel. Charm of sunrise and sunset at the location of archaeological monument of Borobudur and the surrounding natural environment, is a memorable experience for those who live in Manohara. Guests can start the day with a walk at dawn through the dewy grass in a lush tropical garden and solemnly rose to the top of Borobudur temple to enjoy a beautiful sunrise with stunning scenery that will not be forgotten.Come on, you must be go there especially for Indonesia people. We have to proud that Indonesia have a Candi Borobudur consist of seven wonders of the world.