Prambanan is a stunningly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reign of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle of the area that is now a beautiful park.
There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Roro Jonggrang Bondowoso love. Because of his love, asking Jonggrang Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a fire in order to look like morning. Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed statue to be Jonggrang-1000 because he felt cheated.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. The third temple is the epitome of Trimurti in Hindu belief. The third temple is facing east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are two temples wedge, 4 temples color, and 4 corner temples. In the second had 224 temples.
Entering Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find a room 4. One main room with a statue of Shiva, while the other three rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (the son of Shiva). Durga is touted as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend above.
In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of the temple of Shiva, you will only see a single room with a statue of Vishnu. Brahma temple is located south of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.
Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple, located near the Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story called half-bird Garuda. Garuda is a mythical bird in Hindu mythology who was gold, white face, red wings, beak and wings like eagles. Estimated, figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu figure (meaning 'sunrise' or 'shining', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Greek mythology. Garuda could save her from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).
The ability to save that which is admired by many people until now and are used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the symbol of the state. That said, the symbol of Garuda Pancasila creator for inspiration in this temple. Other countries also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but different form adaptation and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.
Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. According to experts, the relief is similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral tradition. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. At Prambanan reliefs depicted Kalpataru trees flanking the lion. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the ninth century had wisdom to manage their environment.
Just like the figure of Garuda, Kalpataru is now also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru became a symbol of Environment (Walhi). In fact, some scientists in Bali to develop the concept of Tri Hita Karana for environmental conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. The tree of life also can be found in the mountains that used to open the puppet arts. A proof that the relief panels in Prambanan has worldwide.
If careful, you can also see various birds relief, this time a real bird. Bird reliefs at Prambanan are so natural that biologists can identify to genus level. One was relief of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) that question. Why the bird was actually only in Masakambing Island, an island in the Java Sea. Then, if the type was once numerous in Yogyakarta? Please find out yourself. Because, until now no single person who could solve the mystery.
Well, there are many more that can be extracted at Prambanan. You certainly should not be bored. If it was finally exhausted, you can relax in the garden around the temple. Interested? Come at once. Since September 18, 2006, you can enter a zone of Prambanan, although not yet able to enter into the temple. Some of the damage from the earthquake last May 27, 2006 are now being repaired.
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