Borobudur Temple

 

Borobudur Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Central Java, Indonesia. It was built during the 8th and 9th centuries during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty. The temple is the world's largest Buddhist temple and is considered one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. The temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The construction of Borobudur began in the early 8th century, during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty. It is believed that the temple was built to honor the Mahayana Buddhist religion, which was popular in the region at that time. The temple was constructed using over two million blocks of stone, which were hauled to the site from nearby rivers and hills.

The temple consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with over 2,600 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The base of the temple is 118 meters on each side, while the central dome is 35 meters high. The temple is designed to represent the Buddhist cosmology, with the lower levels representing the earthly world and the upper levels representing the spiritual world.

The temple was abandoned in the 14th century, and over time, it was buried under volcanic ash and jungle growth. It was rediscovered in the early 19th century by British explorer Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who ordered a major restoration project to be undertaken.

The restoration of the temple took place between 1907 and 1911, and again in the 1970s. The restoration project was funded by the Indonesian government and UNESCO. The temple was officially reopened in 1983.

Today, Borobudur Temple is one of Indonesia's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors come from all over the world to admire the temple's intricate carvings, stunning architecture, and serene atmosphere. The temple is also an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, who come to pay their respects to the Buddha and to meditate.

In 2010, a bomb exploded near the temple, killing several people and injuring dozens more. The attack was carried out by Islamic extremists who were protesting against the government's treatment of Muslims in Indonesia. The temple was closed for several weeks following the attack, but was reopened once security measures had been put in place.

Today, Borobudur Temple continues to attract visitors from all over the world, who come to admire its beauty and to learn about the rich history and culture of Indonesia.

Borobudur Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is considered one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was built during the 8th and 9th centuries during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty.

The temple was constructed in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms, and a monumental stupa at the top. The temple is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The reliefs tell the story of Buddha's life and teachings, as well as stories from Jataka Tales, the previous lives of Buddha.

The construction of Borobudur is believed to have begun around 750 CE during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty. The temple was built by using approximately 2 million blocks of volcanic stone, which were taken from the nearby rivers and hills. The temple was built in the shape of a mandala, representing the Buddhist cosmology of the universe.

The construction of the temple was completed around 825 CE, during the reign of Samaratungga, the descendant of the Sailendra dynasty. However, the temple was abandoned sometime in the 14th century, likely due to the decline of Buddhism in Java and the rise of Islam. The temple was then covered by volcanic ash and overgrown by vegetation, and it was not until the 19th century that the temple was rediscovered by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Governor-General of Java.

In the 20th century, the Indonesian government and UNESCO carried out a massive restoration project on Borobudur, which was completed in 1983. Today, Borobudur is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia, visited by millions of people every year. The temple is also used for annual Buddhist pilgrimages, and it is considered a symbol of Indonesia's rich cultural heritage.