I always believed that if there is a competition that can be started for temple architecture, India would top the list with no doubt. However, recent evidences makes me wonder if that fact can be refuted in any way. I came across a list compiled by Skyscanner which comprises of 10 unusual temples that are located outside India. And after going through the list, I am undergoing some serious case of wanderlust right now!!! Most of it is mainly because of the exotic factor that the place talks about; some of it just to tweak the nostalgia bone. Borobudur hits the second half of my feelings like a nail in the coffin. Ok, that sounds like an extremely morbid analogy I know, but you know how I fail in the department of words right?
World’s largest monument has not only carved its way into the UNESCO World Heritage list, but also created a niche in the hearts of pilgrims and tourists equally. The magnificence of the monument will always hold you spellbound.
Dating back to 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty, this famous monument is located in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, at the center of the island of Java, Indonesia and covers an area of 2500 sq. meter. But the beauty lies in the architecture of this monument. Seemingly created of 2 million blocks of lava rocks in the form of a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces and a central stupa forming the summit, the whole structure represents a lotus, the sacred symbol/ flower of Buddha.
Buddhist history claims that this is the largest and the most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world. More than 500 Buddha statues are perched around the temple. Its lower terraces include a balustrade that blocks out views of the outside world and replaces them with nearly 3,000 bas-relief sculptures illustrating the life and teachings of the Buddha. The monument is a shrine to Lord Buddha and attracts hoards of pilgrims and tourist equally. The 10 levels of the temple symbolizes the 3 divisions of the religion’s cosmic system – Kamadhatu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). The climb to the top itself feels like a spiritual jouney in itself.
My father has a talent for photography, and for me the most remarkable moment of taking each step through this monument was to watch him take pictures. The serenity of the place transcends into your soul, and the only sound that can actually be appreciated will be the occasional clicking sound of a camera and the hushed murmurs filled with awe. Since I lost my hard drive containing all my Indonesian pictures, I will have to borrow Google to show off the beauty of Borobudur temple complex.
One of the highlight of the touring in Borobudur is to visit the place during sunrise. It is a sight that will never be forgotten. The place is open from 6 AM to 5 PM, so there is plenty of time for a visitor to truly enjoy it.
Disclaimer – None of the pictures posted here are of my own (as you can see from the lack of copyright) Due to technical difficulties, the family archives has decided to abandon us for the moment. As a result, I had to resort to Google and its kindness.
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Wow!! Stunning architectures indeed. I loved all the pictures. It must have been a great experience for you and your family!
I never had a doubt that Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and Sri Lanka had better temples, though I have never visited them. I wonder how come you used to think otherwise!
Thanks for sharing this. I have shared it on the social media 🙂
Love and light ❤
Anand 🙂
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Thanks Anand!!! Well I used to think that based on the Indian rich heritage and architecture and of course on the fact that I didn’t discover traveling at that point of time.
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Alright, Ishita 🙂
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I too believed India would be ahead of Asian peers. Guess, you made me think too.
Lovely pictures, the Sunrise would be a majestic one!
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Thanks Alok 🙂
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Splendid architecture and stunning pics….!
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You make me want to go there right now!Amazing pictures. The serenity and calmness of the place comes across through the pictures. I have seen the temples in Thailand, and agree that they are indeed beautiful.
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I know exactly what you mean!! 🙂
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Thank you for writing about our Borobudur. As Indonesian, I really appreciate it ^^ You should see dance performance with Borobudur Temple as its background. It was beautiful. Prambanan Temple also has indoor and outdoor theater performance ^^
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I have seen the theatre performance outside performance!!! Unfortunately my memory has faded a bit over 9 years
and also the fact that I have lost all the pictures haven’t helped me at all!!!
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Then you should come again to Indonesia 😀
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I am hoping to one day!!! Honestly I think I am waiting for the day when one of my Indonesian friends will get married 😀 maybe then no one will say anything for me to sneak off for a weddig 😀
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Hahahah…. I’ll pray for that.I’m going to Jogja next week actually. But there’s still a (long) debate between my friends whether visit Borobudur or Prambanan while it’s impossible to visit them both. We only have 3 days to escape from work >.<
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I think one day each is enough for 3 days !!!
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The thing is, I’m going there with a beach lover. So there will be a day for exploring Jogjakarta city (that’s covering the palace, some museum, alun-alun, Taman Sari and off course Beringharjo Market), a day for temple (between Borobudur and Prambanan), and off-course a day for beach (they will kill me if we don’t visit any beach or any cave). >.<
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Hahhahahahah!!! Put the beach on first day towards the evening and last day evening!!! It will be good to cool off while lying down!! 🙂 and it will work out with the rest
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Good idea. I’ll definitely tell them. Thanks a lot ^^
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Hahahha no problem!!! I hate beaches myself, so that’s how I do it 😀
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Splendid captures.. and a great post..
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Unfortunately the pictures are not mine!!! But thank you!!! 🙂
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Wow! Stunning architecture. The temple complex is brilliant… Though unusual but I am sure this temple tour would be an amazing thing to add to your bucket list!
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I know right??!!!! I am going to hit one more from the list this month!!! Let’s see… How this list goes!!!
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