TRAVEL BLOG
Thursday, July 09, 2009
The Tall and Beautiful Prambanan Temple Complex
Prambanan is a complex of Hindu temples near Yogyakarta in central Java. It is the largest Hindu remnant in Java and it is billed as "the Tallest and Most Beautiful, Largest Hindus Temple in the World".
While I haven't been to enough Hindu temples to vouch for it's most beautiful claim, it certainly is grand in its size and detail.
Prambanan Temple Complex
The temple grounds is made up of around 50 temple sites. Many of the temples were damaged by an earthquake in 2006, but the site is still open to visitors.
Prambanan Viewing Area
The main temple complex is fenced off due to the restoration and possibility of loose stonework. Despite this it is still possible to view the temples close enough to see the detailed carvings. It just means you can't climb the stairs of the main temples.
Brahma Temple
Away from the main temple complex there are smaller ruined temples with the grounds. About 1km north is Candi Sewu, which consists of a large central Buddhist temple surrounded by smaller temples. This temple site is in a poor state compared to the main temple complex.
Candi Sewu
The temples were built between the 8th and 10th century. At the time Java was made up of a Hindu empire in the north and Buddhist in the south.
a marraige between the the two cultures is a possible explanation for the blend Hinduism and Buddism in some of the temples.
Getting to Prambanan Temple Complex
Prambanan is about 20 minutes east of Yogyakarta, so basing yourself there is the easiest way to get there. There are plenty of day trip tours available from Yogya that will combine a trip to Prambanan and Borobudur in the one trip, otherwise you can get a local bus from Yogya.
While I haven't been to enough Hindu temples to vouch for it's most beautiful claim, it certainly is grand in its size and detail.
Prambanan Temple Complex
The temple grounds is made up of around 50 temple sites. Many of the temples were damaged by an earthquake in 2006, but the site is still open to visitors.
Prambanan Viewing Area
The main temple complex is fenced off due to the restoration and possibility of loose stonework. Despite this it is still possible to view the temples close enough to see the detailed carvings. It just means you can't climb the stairs of the main temples.
Brahma Temple
Away from the main temple complex there are smaller ruined temples with the grounds. About 1km north is Candi Sewu, which consists of a large central Buddhist temple surrounded by smaller temples. This temple site is in a poor state compared to the main temple complex.
Candi Sewu
The temples were built between the 8th and 10th century. At the time Java was made up of a Hindu empire in the north and Buddhist in the south.
a marraige between the the two cultures is a possible explanation for the blend Hinduism and Buddism in some of the temples.
Getting to Prambanan Temple Complex
Prambanan is about 20 minutes east of Yogyakarta, so basing yourself there is the easiest way to get there. There are plenty of day trip tours available from Yogya that will combine a trip to Prambanan and Borobudur in the one trip, otherwise you can get a local bus from Yogya.
Yogyakarta Resources
Tourism Indonesia: Visit Indonesia.
Grand Quality Hotel Yogyakarta: Hotel in Yogyakarta.
Labels: borobudur, indonesia, java, prambanan, yogyakarta
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
If you like this post, subscribe to the RSS feed 
or Subscribe by Email 
Comments:
Links to this post:
<< Home
Links to this post:
<< Home
itravelnet.com - Travel Directory | All Rights Reserved
Post a Comment
When adding a link in your comment please use the full URL ie: http://
Keep it clean and on topic. Thanks.