tourism in Indonesia

Mendut Temple





Mendut was once linked to Borobudur by stone-paved walk, which passed by Pawon. All three sanctuaries are Buddhist, belong to the same period, and there was apparently some ritual link between them. It is believed that pilgrims assembled at Mendut and then processed down the 3 kilometers path to Borobudur, with stay for meditation at Pawon. The beautiful reliefs on the walls of the temple are the largest that have yet been found in Indonesia. They cover each of the main surfaces of the back and two sidewalls with large single panels. The central figures of these reliefs are male or female Bodhisattvas, being who postpone achieving Buddhahood in order to help men. On the short returns decorating each wall there are single figures of Bodhisattvas. The much smaller, but no less delicate reliefs on the balustrade and on the triangles formed by the walls to the stairs are filled with fables from the Jataka stories. With such beauty on the outside, it should not be surprising to find that the single chamber of the temple is even more impressive and just as in fine workmanship. There is a 3 meters high statue of the Lord Buddha as Sakyamuni, Light of the World, delivering his first sermon in the deer park, as shown by small figures under the footstool. He is flanked on his right by a somewhat smaller statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and on his left, by similar statue of Bodhisattva Vajrapani. Each of these statues has been hewn from a single block of stone, which has saved them from the destruction that has overtaken so many other statues smaller in size, or made bronze and other metals that have been melted down and used for other purposes Whatever other decorations there once were in this chamber, they could hardly have improved the atmosphere of serenity and devotion still to be found there today. Lit with oil lamps and adorned with masses of flowers, glory was once present in Mendut.




LocationAdministratively, Mendut temple is located at Mendut village, Mungkid Magelang Regency, Central Java. This location is 2 kilometers southeast of Magelang. It is easy accessible by any vehicle either two or four wheeled-ones. This temple is nearby the most popular Borobudur temple, one of Seven Wonders of the World. As usual, for tourists, especially foreign ones, a visit to Mendut temple is scheduled in the same package with that to Borobudur and Pawon temples. Exclusively for Mahayana Buddhist, these three temples are closely interrelated. To be noted, when it is full moon, at the date of 15 according to Javanese calendar (usually on May), in Tri Suci Waicak day, this location is usually used as the place of ritual process by Buddha people. And this ritual process becomes a great attraction for either local or foreign tourists.




Discovery and RestorationIn 1986, Mendut temple structures, save its roof, were found to be hidden in marshy area. Then it was again discovered, cleaned and dug in 1897, its base and body were restored but not yet satisfactory. The next restoration done by Th. Van Erp in 1908, in time of Borobudur restoration. In this year part of its roof was rearranged, and in 1925, some small stupas could be placed again on the tops.

Foundation of the TempleHistorians estimated that Mendut temple was founded in the ninth century by the Syailendra dynasty. This estimation was on the ground of Karang Tengah script written in 824 AD. Mentioned on the script that Indra, the king, built a sacred building named Venuvara, which is called Mendut Temple.

Structure of the Mendut Temple

Temple ReliefsThe temple stands on high enough basement, making it looks more attractive and strong. The ladder and entrance face to northwest, meaning that this temple faces to that direction. It is absolutely the characteristic of Mendut temple for the most temples in Central Java generally face to the east. Above the basement there is a tunnel surrounding the body of the temple. The top has three floors and decorated with 48 small stupas. Looking at the construction, the top of Mendut temple seems to be covered with a huge roof. The height of the temple is approximately 2.4 meters. The Mendut temple has outstanding attraction rarely found in other temples in Java or even in Indonesia. The existence of relatively three large enough statues inside the temple has its special high beauty either physically or artistically. As far as Buddhist is concerned, those three statues reflect sacred light. Each of the three was made of a slab of stone, indicating how extraordinary artistic craft of our ancestor. Their details are as follow:




Dyani Buddha Cakyamuni
This statue looks to west in sitting position, its two legs nudged down, touching teratai base and the position of Dharmacakramudra hand symbolizes being busy turning around the life cycles.

Arcabodhisattva Avalokitesvara/Lokesvara
This statue is located next to Buddha Cakyamuni, facing to south. It is in sitting position, its left leg bent inward and other one sticks straightly downward. The position of Varamudra hand symbolizes being busy teaching the tenets, and is shown wearing notability dresses, namely crown, jewellery on its ear, hand, neck, and shoulder.

Bodhisattvarajrapani
It is located on the right hand of Cakyamuni statue, looking to south. Likewise cakyamuni, this statue wears nobility dress. He is also in sitting position, his right hand bent down and his left one touches his tight. As for his left leg, it sticks straight downward. The decoration of relief scattered on the surfaces of outer wall of its basement and temple body makes the Mendut temple much more attractive, its motives and the themes of its decoration are derived from Buddha myths and symbols, especially Jataka myth. There are synopsis actions of Jatayu curved on panels of outer side of the ladder and the bottom of the temple. One of the panels on right hand side of the outside ladder reflects stories about turtles that were in danger, being secured by two birds by biting both ends of the wood and then brought them to a garden. There is also Jataka myth that telling about a monkey cheats a crocodile. On this relief is shown a monkey sitting on the back of a crocodile.

 










Other attractive reliefs on the body of the temple are:
Kuvera/Yaksa/Panthika/Arawika Relief
This relief is found on right hand side of the entrance leading to the inside part of the temple, reflecting a man figure surrounded by children. Under his chair there are urns filled with money. The money filled-urn is one of attributes of Kuvera goodness. In Buddha anthology, he is formerly a men-eater monster who repented and changed to be children protector after seeing Buddha.

Hariti Relief
On the right side of the entrance of temple room, there is Hariti relief. Hariti is shown in sitting position with a child on her lap. Likewise Kuvera, she was formerly a man-eater monster who repented and changed to be children protector as soon as she met Buddha. Furthermore, she is known as fertility goodness.

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Dewi Tara Relief
This one is on the body wall on south side of Avalokitesvara relief, curved on a part of central panel, sitting on Padmasana and on the either sides of him sat his princess Dewi Tara. Beneath Padmasana is a pond filled with teratai. In Buddha mythology, this relief describes story telling about the birth of Dewi Tara. A part of those reliefs, there are others describing Bodhisattva, that is on east side of the wall, Dewi Tara on north side and some other relief in the forms of flora.
   

Gedongsongo Temple




 Gedong Songo temple, is a Hindu temple located in the highlands at the foot of the mountain Ungaran Semarang. For hundreds of years the temple was standing on a hilly plateau region of the hill. This area is included in the district Bandungan, one area that is termed as the top city of Semarang. 


This temple consists of nine main temple building. To reach this location is not far, just one hour journey from Semarang city without traffic jams and only forty-five minutes from the town of Salatiga. Managed by local government, this area is quite nice and well maintained.

 
Many facilities that support and draw there. You can try to ride a horse, just spend less than 25 thousand rupiah you are entitled to get around in around the temple which the way up and down with the horse. You do not have to worry if you come in Gedong Songo Temple, not far from the temple Bandungan precisely at the hotel you can rest at the hotel who were there.







Overnight rates are relatively varied, from fifty thousand rupiah at the motel until the five-star hotels
Thus, what is far away if your holiday in our country a lot of interest


 

Ulun Danu Temple



While I know funny kind of signs aka “Don’t pee in the elevator – Fine 2.000$!” from Singapore; I wasn’t aware that other countries are worried about their citizen’s hygienic toilet behaviors as well.





It came a bit as a surprise to see a similar sign at Bali’s beautiful Water Temple – Pura Ulun Danu – near the small town of Bedugul at Lake Bratan (“Holy Mountain Lake”). Bedugul is most famous for it’s Strawberry Fields, which provide a fresh, red harvest almost all-year-round due to the higher and cooler climate…




The Temple close to the Lake’s Water is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Goddess for all Lakes and Rivers.
Pura Ulun Danu has a 11-storey ‘Meru’ (or Pagoda) and besides Dewi Danu – other Gods like Shiva and his wife Parvati are worshiped here as well.

Plaosan Temple

The temple at Plaosan, in Klaten area of Central Java, not far from Sewu Temple, was unique, so far as our knowledge goes today. In the first place, Plaosan was built by a Syailendra princess, and so a Buddhist, and her husband, Rakai Pikatan, a Hindu ruler of Mataram. Thus Plaosan is one of the several examples that have been found of religious tolerance. The structure of the compounds was also unique. There were two of them, lying north and south of each other, the northern one with two main temples, each is its own walled court with a portal between them, the southern compound with only one large temple. Each group was surrounded by rows of small shrines and stupas, linking them together. There was still another court in the northern compound. This Buddhist sanctuary has suffered considerable damage since it was first built in the 9th century. Some entrance gate ways have been found and they marked by stone guardians. Other temple that visitor can visit near the Prambanan group temple are: temple of Sawijen, Kalasan.

Indonesia have many temple archeological remains. One of them is Dieng Temples Group, consists of four group of temple. Located in Dieng Plateu, Central Java.

ARJUNA TEMPLE
This Temple Group is consisted of five temples which are built in two parallel lines.The eastern line consist of four,mostly facing westward respectively the temples of Arjuna,Srikandi,Puntadewa and Sembadra.While, the western line temple which stands face to face with Arjuna Temple.At these temple are depicted about the accon panying Dieties of Siwa.While at the Srikandi is depicted on the recess of the temple about all the main deities if Hinduism,they are Brahmana,Siwa and Wisnu.  
 
GATOTKACA TEMPLE
Group of Gatotkaca Temple located in foothills Pangonan, on the westside of Balekambang Lake.
Initially, this group consisted of. 6 temples, there are Sentyaki Temple , Petruk Temple , Antareja Temple, Sadewa Temple and Gantutkaca Temple.
According to its architecture,gatotokaca Temple was built after Srikandi Temple. This matter look from way of doorstep location, foot/feet, number of alcove, building layout.

 
BIMA TEMPLE
Group Temple of located Bima about 750 metre toward the south Temple of Gatotkaca Bima temple built in 6 AD is unique in two respects. Apart from its resemblance to the temple architecture of India, Bima temple also has a gate that looks to the east, while other temples on the plateau looks toward the west. It is believed that this site was a holy site, or a point of contact with the immortals. That's why, propagators of Hinduism from India built a spiritual center at this location. 

DWARAWATI TEMPLE
Group of Dwarawati Temple located between others temples, built in slope of mountain bukit Perahu. In this location, in the past time there are two temple Dwarawati and Parikesit that restorated in 1955 and 1980. Dwarawati Temple has the size of groun plan 5,3 m X 5,3 m. Those temple look like Gatotkaca temple. Located 1 Km from area of Arjuna Temple.
 

Sari Temple

Continuing the adventure temple during the pending visit to the Temple Kalasan some time ago, this time I visited the temple, accompanied by Dipto Sari, the temple is located about 500 meters in the north-east of the temple Kalasan.

Not only Sari Temple, we had the opportunity to review (on, the language) Kedulan temple complex that is a temple that was found recently and are in the process of excavation

Bill, with my trip? Find out and hold my adventure this time. Lots, the language domestic Traveling host the event ..
TEMPLE Kalasan not like, Sari temple is located in a rather, that is not visible from the main street of Jogja-Solo. To reach there is not difficult, in addition to a mosque that is similar buildings in the Kremlin and Russian Restaurant Ayam Bakar Kalasan "Mbok Berek," there is a small alley to the north. Follow the road and we shall arrive at the temple complex Sari

Pawon Temple

Pawon Temple is one and half kilometers westward from Mendut Temple and eastward from Borobudur Temple, it is also a Buddhist temple. When appreciating in detail, its sculpture is the beginning of Borobudur sculpture.
Pawon Temple is not a grave but as a place to keep King Indra's weapon namely Vajranala. This temple was built with volcanic stones. Architecturally it is a blend of old Javanese Hindu and Indian art. Pawon temple is exactly in the central point of the straight line stretched from Borobudur to Mendut Temple.

Perhaps it was built for kubera. It is on a wide rather terrace with steps. All parts are decorated with stupa(s) on dagoba(s) and its outside walls with symbolic pictures.

Queen Boko Palace - Full of pomp at Mount Peace
King Boko Palace was a glorious building that was constructed during the reign of Rakai Panangkaran, descendant of Sailendra dynasty. The palace that initially was named Abhayagiri Vihara (that means a monastery on a peaceful hill) was built for seclusion purpose and to focus on spiritual life. From this palace, you will feel peace and will be able to see Yogyakarta city and Prambanan temple with Merapi Mountain as the background.
This palace is located 196 meters above the sea level. The area of the palace as wide as 250,000 m² is divided into four, namely center, west, southeast, and east parts. The center part consists of the main gateway, square, Combustion Temple, pond, square terrace and assembly hall. Meanwhile, the southeast part includes hall, platform, three temples, pond, and a complex for princess. The caves, Buddha effigy, and a pond are in east part while the west part consists of hills only.
If you enter from the palace gateway, you will directly be guided to the center part. Two high gates will welcome you. The first gate has three entrances while the second one has five. If you look it in detail, you will read 'Panabwara' writing on the first gate. Based on Wanua Tengah III inscription, the word was written by Rakai Panabwara (the descendant of Rakai Panangkaran) who took over the palace. The intention of carving his name on the gate was to legitimate his authority, to give 'power' to the gate in order to look more glorious and to give sign that the building was the main building.
About 45 meters away from the second gate, you will see a temple made of white stones so that it was named Candi Batu Putih or Temple of White Stones.
Close to the place, you will also find Combustion Temple. The temple is of square form (measuring 26 meter x 26 meter) with two terraces. The function of the temple is to burn dead body as the name suggests. Around 10 meters away from the Combustion Temple, there are sacred terrace and a pond.
A mysterious well will be seen if you walk southeastward of the Combustion Temple. As the legend tells, the well was named Amerta Mantana that means sacred water treated with charms. At present time, the water of Amerta well is still used. The legend tells that the water brings luck for anyone who uses it. Hindu people use it in Tawur Agung ceremony, one day before the Nyepi day. Using water in the ceremony is believed to support the achievement of the objective, namely to self purify and to return the earth and its content to its initial harmony. YogYES suggests that you visit Prambanan temple one day before Nyepi day to see the ceremony process.
Moving to the eastern part of the palace, you will see two caves, big pond measuring 20 meters x 50 meters and Buddha effigy that sits quietly. Those two caves were formed of sediment stones. The upper cave is called Gua Lanang (Male Cave) and the lower cave is called Gua Wadon (Female Cave). Right in front of Gua Lanang, there is a pond and three effigies. Based on the research, the effigy is known as Aksobya, one of Buddha Pantheons.
Even though it was built by a Buddhist, there are Hindu elements in it. This can be seen from the presence of Lingga and Yoni, Ganesha statue, and golden plate with the writing "Om Rudra ya namah swaha" on it as form of worship to Rudra as the other name of Shiva. The Hindu elements proved religious tolerance that is reflected in architectural works. In fact, Rakai Panangkaran who embraced Buddhism lived side by side with Hindu people.
Not many people know that this palace is witness of the initial triumph in Sumatera land. Balaputradewa once fled to this palace before leaving for Sumatra when he was struck by Rakai Pikatan. Balaputradewa rebelled because he felt to be second person in the reign of Old Mataram Kingdom because of Rakai Pikatan's marriage to Pramudhawardani (Balaputradewa's sister). After his defeat and escape to Sumatra, he became the king of Sriwijaya Kingdom.
As a heritage building, King Boko Palace is different from other inheritances. Most of other buildings are in the forms of temple or shrine, while this place - as the name implies - shows characteristics of a dwelling place. This can be known from the wooden poles and roofs, even though we can only see remains of stone building. Investigate the palace in more details and you will know more. One of them is the beautiful scenery when the sun is setting in the west. An American tourist says, "This is the most beautiful sunset on earth."

Prambanan, the Most Beautiful Hindu Temple in the World

Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, among an area that now functions as beautiful park.
There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.
Entering Shiva temple, the highest temple and is located in the middle, you will find four rooms. One main room contains Shiva statue, while the other three rooms contain the statues of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga statue is said to be the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the above legend.
In Vishnu temple, to the north of Shiva temple, you will find only one room with Vishnu statue in it. In Brahma temple, to the south of Shiva temple, you find only room as well with Brahma statue in it.
Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located close to Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is of golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings similar to eagle's. It is assumed that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shines') that is associated with the god of the Sun or Re in Old Egypt mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods).
Its ability to save her mother made many people admire it to the present time and it is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as the symbol of the country. Other country using the same symbol 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. Experts say that the relief is similar to the story of Ramayana that is told orally from generation to generation. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that - in Hindu - the tree is considered tree of life, eternity and environment harmony. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described as flanking a lion. The presence of this tree makes experts consider that Javanese society in the ninth century had wisdom to manage its environment.
Just like Garuda, Kalpataru tree is also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru is used as the logo of Indonesian Environment Institution. Some intellectuals in Bali even develop "Tri Hita Karana" concept for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. This tree of life is also seen in the gunungan (the puppet used as an opening of traditional puppet show or wayang kulit). This proves that relief panels in Prambanan have been widely known throughout the world.
If you see the relief in detail, you will see many birds on them; they are real birds as we can see on the earth right now. Relief panels of such birds are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One of them is the relief of the Yellow-Crest Parrot (Cacatua sulphurea) that cites unanswered question. The reason is that the bird only exists in Masakambing Island, an island in the middle of Java Sea. Then, did the bird exist in Yogyakarta? No body has succeeded in revealing the mystery.
You can discover many more things in Prambanan. You can see relief of Wiracarita Ramayana based on oral tradition. If you feel tired of enjoying the relief, you can take a rest in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since 18 September 2006, you can enter zone 1 area of Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being reconstructed. Please come and enjoy Prambanan temple.

Borobudur, the Biggest Buddhist Temple in the Ninth Century

Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. Millions of people are eager to visit this building as one of the World Wonder Heritages. It is not surprising since architecturally and functionally, as the place for Buddhists to say their prayer, Borobudur is attractive.
Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place.
Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages.
The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.
Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful the sculptors were. In order to understand the sequence of the stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang).
All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect Buddha's teachings. For the reason, this temple functions as educating medium for those who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES suggests that you walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order for you to know the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the tenth century once visited this temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.
Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having supply of Buddha teaching script from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to improve Buddha's teachings after his return to India and he built a religion institution, Vikramasila Buddhism. Later he became the leader of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa were then summarized as the core of the teaching called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or well known as Bodhipathapradipa.
A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain.
With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away...

Mount Kelud

Mount Kelud has change after its erupted in November 2007. The climax activity of Mount Kelud is to turn up a dome from the lake crater. Today, with its Dome that comes from the crater, Mount Kelud is more beautiful than before, add with the other phenomenal that never happen before. The Dome is seems to be Mount Kelud’s son. Fantastic and curious nature panorama.

Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater)




Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or along its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera cones forms an E-W-trending zone across the southern side of the caldera. Coffee plantations cover much of the Ijen caldera floor, and tourists are drawn to its waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery.