Indonesia

When I visited the News 7 Wonders of the World, I couldn’t help but noticed that there’s nothing in the list from Indonesia. Not that we’re lacking in that deaprtment mind you. Actually, we’ve quite a few that may made it into the list, if only more Indonesians were connected to Internet and aware of the project.

Anyway, let’s start with Borobudur.

The Borobudur Monument

Borobudur is a ninth century Buddhist Mahayana monument in Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues

Borobudur is built as a single large stupa, and when viewed from above takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala, simultaneously representing the Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind.

Approximately 55,000 m³ (almost 2 million cubic feet) of stones were taken from neighbouring rivers to build the monument.

Borobudur differs markedly with the general design of other structures built for this purpose. Instead of building on a flat surface, Borobudur is built on a natural hill. The building technique is, however, similar to other temples in Java. With no inner space as in other temples and its general design similar to the shape of pyramid, Borobudur was first thought more likely to have served as a stupa, instead of a temple (or candi in Indonesian). A stupa is intended as a shrine for the Lord Buddha.

A survey conducted in 1977 revealed frequent findings of a ratio of 4:6:9 around the monument. The architect had used the formula to lay out the precise dimensions of Borobudur. The identical ratio formula was further found in the nearby Buddhist temples of Pawon and Mendhut.

In 1885, a hidden structure under the base was accidentally discovered. The “hidden foot” contains reliefs, 160 of which are narrative describing the real Kamadhatu. The remaining reliefs are panels with short inscriptions that apparently describe instruction for the sculptors, illustrating the scene to be carved. An encasement base hides the real base of which its functions remains a mystery.

The monument is visited daily by tourists and is the single most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia. In mid 1990s, it’s visited by 2.5 million visitors annually.

The Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia, located in central Java, approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta. It was built around 850 CE by the Sanjaya dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

The compound is assembled of eight main shrines or candis, and more than 250 surrounding individual candis. The three main shrines, called Trisakti (Ind. “three sacred places”), are dedicated to the three gods Shiva the Destroyer, Vishnu the Keeper and Brahma the Creator.

The high number of individual candis (250) are said to be related to the legend of Roro (Loro/Lara) Jonggrang, the slender virgin. A popular legend, she’s a daughter of King Boko. After her father was defeated in battle, the Javanese princess Loro Jonggrang reluctantly agreed to marry his victor Prince Bandung, but only if he built one thousand temples in one night. Assisted by spirits, the would-be husband had almost accomplished this (otherwise) impossible task; with the spirits already finishing the 999th candi.

Witnessing this unhappily, Roro Jonggrang then ordered the village women to begin pounding rice, an activity generally performed at dawn. The spirits, believing dawn was approaching, fled, and left without finishing their job. The angry suitor however won’t accept this; and he cursed Roro Jonggrang who turned to stone, and become the last and most beautiful of the statues, the Durga.

Indonesia, land of the mystical ancients.

Further readings : Borobudur @ Wikipedia Prambanan @ Wikipedia

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