Borobudur Temple has at all times been excessive on my record of locations to go to in Indonesia. It’s an incredible addon for these already seeking to go to Bali as a fast 2-3 day cease. It additionally makes for an ideal weekend vacation spot should you’re dwelling in Bali or Singapore. That is exactly what I did coming right here on a Friday to Monday journey.
Borobudur and Prambanan are two of essentially the most immaculately preserved temples in SE Asia. Whereas they’re usually overshadowed by the extra well-known Angkor Wat in Cambodia, they’re certainly not any much less spectacular.
Historical past of Borobudur
Borobudur Temple is an historical marvel situated in Central Java, Indonesia. It stands as one of the vital magnificent Buddhist monuments on the planet and has captivated guests with its grandeur and religious significance. The historical past of Borobudur Temple spans a number of centuries and is intertwined with the wealthy cultural and non secular heritage of the area.
Building of Borobudur Temple started through the Sailendra dynasty within the eighth century. The Sailendras have been a distinguished Indonesian dynasty that dominated over Java and Sumatra. The temple was constructed underneath the patronage of the Sailendra kings, who have been religious followers of Mahayana Buddhism.
The precise date of Borobudur’s development stays a topic of debate amongst historians, however it’s believed to have been accomplished round 825 CE. The temple was constructed on a hill overlooking the fertile Kedu Plain, a strategic location that symbolized the religious journey in the direction of enlightenment.
Borobudur Temple was constructed utilizing volcanic stone blocks, meticulously carved and organized to type a large pyramid-like construction. The temple consists of 9 stacked platforms, six sq. and three round, topped by a central dome. Your entire construction is adorned with intricate reliefs, totaling over 2,500 panels, depicting scenes from Buddhist teachings and Javanese life.
The reliefs on the decrease ranges of Borobudur depict intricate narratives of Karmawibhangga, Lalitavistara, and Jataka tales, that are tales in regards to the earlier lives of Gautama Buddha. As guests ascend the temple, the reliefs transition to extra summary and symbolic varieties, representing the journey in the direction of enlightenment.
Borobudur Temple’s design is predicated on Buddhist cosmology, with every stage representing a distinct realm of existence. Pilgrims historically walked clockwise, ranging from the bottom, as they circumambulated the temple, following the trail in the direction of enlightenment. The highest three round platforms symbolize the realm of formlessness, the very best stage of religious attainment.
Regardless of its grandeur, Borobudur Temple had a comparatively brief interval of energetic use. Following the decline of the Sailendra dynasty, Java skilled a shift in the direction of Hindu and Islamic influences. Over time, the temple was deserted, and the dense tropical forest reclaimed it, burying it underneath layers of volcanic ash and vegetation.
Borobudur Temple remained hidden and forgotten for hundreds of years till it was rediscovered within the early nineteenth century by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British ruler of Java on the time. Recognizing its historic and cultural significance, restoration efforts started within the twentieth century, with in depth restoration work undertaken between 1975 and 1982, funded by UNESCO and the Indonesian authorities.
Finest time of yr to go to Borobudur
Borobudur and the Yogyakarta space take pleasure in the identical local weather as close by Bali. The wet season usually runs from November till April with the dry season operating from April to November. Through the dry season, count on hotter temperatures, sunny climate, and an incredible general view of the temples.
Through the wet season, Java sees an honest quantity of rain however it’s nonetheless time to go to the temples as much less crowds and cooler temperatures means a greater viewing expertise!
The place to remain in Borobudur?
Borobudur is situated 1-1.5 hours outdoors of the primary metropolis of Yogyakarta. I might advocate you keep within the metropolis of Yogyakarta and make the day journey to the temples. There’s a lot to do within the metropolis so after your temple go to, you may loosen up and benefit from the metropolis together with its big range of avenue meals and cafes. Yogyakarta is an underrated metropolis for my part and I want I had extra days to spend. It’s the solely area of Indonesia that’s nonetheless dominated by a Sultan in spite of everything!
There are many resorts proper close to to the temple however there may be not a lot happening within the space. If you wish to be away from all of it and nearer to nature, rice fields, and the temple, then there are a couple of choices to think about close to to the temples. In any other case, I might persist with staying in Yogyakarta!
Dawn at Borobudur
Identical to with Angkor Wat in Cambodia, dawn at Borobudur is an absolute spectacle. Dawn is magical over the temples because the golden rays of the morning magically illuminate the temples.
No extra dawn in Borobudur temple
Sadly, there is no such thing as a solution to see the dawn at Borobudur temple anymore. Beginning in March 2023, the Authorities closed down the temple for dawn patrons till additional discover. This implies, you can’t stroll as much as the highest of the temple for dawn anymore such as you beforehand may.
Sure, that is very unhappy certainly because the photographs of the temple at dawn are gorgeous and magical. Don’t fear, you may nonetheless enter the temple however solely after dawn has completed.
Dawn at Setumbu Hill
As an alternative of dawn on the Borobudur temple, I ended up going to the Setumbu Hill for an exquisite dawn view over the valley. Whereas this isn’t wherever close to the temple, you may nonetheless see it barely within the distance. This viewpoint is extra about nature and the attractive landscapes of Java than the temples itself.
Sadly, that is the one factor you are able to do these days till the Authorities decides to reopen Borobudur for dawn.
To get to Setumbu, you may both rent a non-public driver for the day like what I did or a be a part of a small group tour that visits for the dawn, after which to the 2 temples of Borobudur and Prambanan.
It’s a ten minute stroll to the highest of the hill from the car parking zone the place you’ll be greeted with unimaginable dawn views of the valley.
If you happen to’re staying in Yogyakarta, you’ll need to go away round 4am with a purpose to make it in time. It’s roughly 1h drive from Yogyakarta to Setumbu Hill within the morning hours earlier than there’s any visitors. Consider one other 10-Quarter-hour of strolling and also you’ll attain the point of view simply earlier than 5:30am. You’ll be able to look forward to finding crowds right here because it has turn out to be a extremely popular dawn vacation spot. Dawn occurs shortly thereafter with the solar seen from 6:15am onwards.
There are quite a few image spots in Setumbu Hills the place you may take unimaginable photos of the valley together with this lovely treetop platform.
Dawn at Manohara Resort Gate
In earlier years, you have been allowed to witness the dawn over the temples on the Manohara Resort. This resort is situated proper subsequent to the temple and so they provide a viewpoint over the temples for the dawn. Entrance would begin at 5am and you could possibly truly purchase tickets for this spectacle. They put this on pause whereas I visited however I think this may resume sooner or later. However, dawn on the Manohara resort doesn’t imply you may enter the temple or see it from the within.
You can even keep at this resort if you wish to be nearer to the temples.
Price of visiting Borobudur Temple
The doorway ticket price for Borobudur regularly will increase. It has seen a variety of change lately and you’ll count on the value to proceed going up. It’s not an inexpensive vacation spot to go to however should you’re already right here, you’ll in all probability pay something to enter. I believe it’s possible the Authorities will attempt to market Borobudur as a premium vacation spot sooner or later and cost upwards of $100 for an entrance ticket!
As of June 2023, the prices of Borobudur are as follows:
Bodobudur Temple Ticket – 362,000 IDR
Borobudur & Prambanan Combo Ticket – 652,000 IDR
Anticipate these costs to extend sooner or later. I ended up shopping for the combo ticket as a result of I used to be planning to go to Prambanan and this may have saved me cash. These tickets are legitimate for two days so you may go to each temples in someday or save one for the next day.
Money and Bank cards are accepted at Borobudur and Prambanan.
Borobudur Working Hours
Borobudur is open every single day besides Mondays from 6am till 5pm. Observe that these occasions are merely for the temple grounds as if you wish to stroll contained in the temple, that could be a complete completely different state of affairs.
The very best time to go to Borobudur for my part are the early hours. The temperatures are far more nice within the early hours and photographs of the temples are a lot prettier with the morning solar.
Attempt to keep away from the temple on Indonesian public holidays as will probably be a lot busier with home vacationers.
Strolling contained in the Borobudur temple
In years previous, the common ticket would permit you to enter the temple and stroll round as you please. Not beginning in 2023.
With a view to higher protect this lovely construction, there are actually limitations on getting into the temple itself which I can absolutely help. With a view to enter the temple, you’ll have to buy a guided tour choice.
As of 2023, the one solution to enter the temple is to buy a guided tour. There is no such thing as a approach round this. If you don’t buy this tour, you may roam the temple grounds freely and admire the temple from the surface however you won’t be able to climb or enter the temple.
The price of this tour is an additional 75,000 IDR that you could pay with money or bank card on the ticket workplace. These guided excursions solely begin from 8am which suggests there may be now no solution to watch the dawn from inside the temple itself.
Reserving a guided tour of Borobudur
Guided excursions function on a primary come first serve foundation. I might extremely advocate going as early as doable as even at 8am, the colours are nonetheless lovely. I might advocate attending to the ticket counter at 7am so you may safe your spot as one of many first teams to enter the temple. I ended up going round 9:30am because it was very busy the day I visited and it was already approach too sizzling for consolation!
As soon as the tour begins, you’ll be taken to an space the place you might be given flipflops to put on contained in the temple. That is to scale back put on on the temple and should be worn always. They offer you a bag to place your present sneakers and you’ll maintain these flip flops as a memento.
The information will discuss in regards to the historical past of Borobudur and provide fascinating insights of the temple earlier than lastly getting into the temple itself. It was so sizzling by the point we entered that I barely paid consideration to the man as I used to be looking for shade contained in the temple. After about 45 minutes of the tour, we lastly climbed to the highest of the temple with the enduring bell sculptures.
Can I fly a drone in Borobudur?
Drones have been allowed as soon as upon a time however that point is not. Drones are particularly banned within the Borobudur temples and so they particularly verify for drones these days on the ticket workplace. Don’t fly a drone in any other case you’ll be in large bother.
Actually, you aren’t allowed to fly a drone inside a 5km radius of the temple so don’t try and fly a drone from the close by car parking zone!
Visiting Prambanan Temple
After an exquisite go to of Borobudur, it was time to see the Prambanan temple which for my part is simply as lovely if no more so than Borobudur.
Prambanan temple is situated about half-hour west of Yogyakarta and will be visited in the identical day as a go to to Borobudur or you may merely wait till the next day.
Historical past of the Prambanan Temple
Prambanan Temple, often known as Candi Rara Jonggrang, is an awe-inspiring Hindu temple complicated situated in Central Java, Indonesia. It stands as a testomony to the area’s wealthy cultural heritage and serves as an impressive instance of historical Javanese structure. Constructed within the Ninth century through the Mataram Kingdom’s rule, Prambanan Temple is devoted to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Commissioned by Rakai Pikatan, a ruler of the Mataram Kingdom, the development of Prambanan Temple started within the mid-Ninth century. The temple complicated was meant to be the royal sanctuary, symbolizing the dominion’s devotion to the Hindu gods. It was strategically located close to the sooner Hindu temples devoted to Brahma and Vishnu.
Prambanan Temple initially consisted of over 200 buildings, together with towering temples, shrines, and auxiliary buildings. The principle temple, referred to as Candi Shiva Mahadeva, reaches a top of roughly 47 meters (154 toes) and is the focus of the complicated. Elaborate stone carvings adorn its partitions, depicting scenes from historical Hindu epics just like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Following the decline of the Mataram Kingdom and a interval of political instability, Prambanan Temple was deserted and left to decay. Pure disasters, resembling volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, additional contributed to the deterioration of the buildings. It wasn’t till the 18th century when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, a British ruler, ordered an excavation and survey of the positioning, resulting in the rediscovery of the temple complicated.
Restoration efforts commenced within the early twentieth century, aiming to revive Prambanan Temple’s former grandeur. Diligent work has been carried out to reconstruct and preserve the intricate architectural options. At present, the temple complicated stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and a preferred vacationer vacation spot, attracting guests from everywhere in the world.
Getting into Prambanan Temple
Prambanan is a 30 minute drive outdoors of Yogyakarta. It’s doable to easily take a Gojek taxi or scooter from town to the temple and again.
As I approached Prambanan Temple, its grandeur took my breath away. The tall spires beckoned me nearer, their mystical appeal irresistible. Getting into the temple grounds, I used to be awed by the sheer measurement of the buildings that surrounded me. The principle temples devoted to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva stood proudly, adorned with intricate carvings that informed tales of a bygone period. The air felt sacred, crammed with a way of spirituality.
I wandered by the complicated, discovering a maze of smaller temples. Each was a treasure trove of artwork and which means. The partitions have been adorned with detailed reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu epics. It felt as if the stone got here alive, transporting me to a time when these tales have been integral to the lives of the folks.
Ascending the steep steps of the primary temples, I reached their inside sanctums. There, within the quietness, I noticed the stays of statues and imagined the colourful non secular practices of the previous. It was a robust second, a reference to historical past, as if the presence of those that as soon as worshipped there lingered within the air.
For the perfect photographs, I believe the areas outdoors of the primary temple complicated are finest as you’ll be able to slot in all the person spires. A few of them actually tower dramatically in entrance of you creating incredible picture alternatives. I believe visiting round sundown time will convey out the colours completely. It’s exhausting to take a foul picture right here although!
1 Day Itinerary to Go to Borobudur and Prambanan Temples
As talked about in earlier sections, it’s very a lot doable to go to each temples in the identical day. On this part, I’ll go into element about how I visited every part in someday and the way I scheduled my time.
4am – Get up for the dawn. Seize a light-weight snack should you can however in any other case, go away in your prebooked transport to the temples. From Yogyakarta, it’s a 1 hour drive to Borobudur.
5am – Arrive on the base of the Setumbu Hills. As a result of it’s not doable to go to Borobudur for the dawn, Setumbu Hills is without doubt one of the hottest choices.
5:20am – Stroll from the car parking zone of Setumbu hills to the highest of the hill. Get pleasure from dawn for the subsequent hour.
6:30am – Depart the Setumbu space and drive in the direction of Borobudur temple.
6:45am – Buy tickets for the 2 temples as a combo ticket. As well as, e-book the guided tour that can permit you entry into the Borobudur temple. The earliest time for the guided tour is at 8am so hopefully it isn’t too busy and you’ll go as quickly as these excursions begin. Within the meantime, seize a nasi goreng from one of many quite a few meals stalls on the entrance.
8:00am – Be a part of the guided tour to enter Borobudur. This tour will take 1.5 hours and it is possible for you to to enter the temple and ascend to the eighth ground of the temple. The Ninth ground is reserved just for Buddhist monks. As soon as the tour is over, you’re free to discover the temple grounds so long as you’d like.
10:30am – Depart Borobudur temple and drive again in the direction of Yogyakarta. This can take roughly 1.5 hours.
12:00pm – Have lunch at Sate Ratu. That is one among my favourite eating places in Yogyakarta serving genuine Indonesian fashion sates. It’s unimaginable and immensely in style with locals!
14:00 – Make drive to Prambanan Temple and go to this glorious Hindu temple. It gained’t take you greater than 1-2 hours to go to the temples and take photographs. If you’d like nicer photographs, I might advocate coming right here after 16:00 which may also imply the day time warmth will subside. If this appears like one thing for you, merely go to a restaurant after lunch for a espresso earlier than visiting Prambanan temple.
16:00 – Arrive again in Yogyakarta.
The best way to get to Borobodur
Borobudur is situated about 1 to 1.5 hours outdoors of town of Yogyakarta. Yogykarta is the primary metropolis and the gateway to visiting Borobudur and Prambanan temples.
Yogyakarta is residence to a big new worldwide airport that was just lately accomplished. To get to Yogyakarta, you may fly from in style locations like Bali, Jakarta, and quite a few different Indonesia cities. There are additionally direct flights from KL, Singapore, and different worldwide cities.
The best way to get from Yogyakarta Airport (YIA) to town
The brand new airport YIA (to not be confused with YOG) is situated about 40 km outdoors of town of Yogyakarta. It’s a 1 hour drive from the airport to town by the Java countryside. As you may count on, the 2 lane roads right here will imply visitors will be brutal.
The choice is to take the model new prepare that providers the airport to town middle of Yogyakarta. This prepare solely takes a half hour and arrives within the central Malioboro district of Yogyakarta.
A Gojek/Seize taxi will price about 250,000-300,000 IDR however the prepare will solely run you about 30,000 IDR.
The best way to get from Yogyakarta to Borobudur
There are a lot of methods to go to Borobudur from Yogyakarta. The best approach is to rent a driver for the day. This manner, you may simply go to Borobudur and Prambanan temples in the identical day. I paid about 1m IDR with my resort however may in all probability discover somebody even cheaper than this. This driver drove me for over 12 hours everywhere in the space.
If you happen to’re a solo traveler, I might advocate reserving a day journey from Yogyakarta that visits all of the locations on this weblog put up. It’s the most important exercise to do in Yogyakarta in spite of everything. These journeys will be booked for wherever between 600,000 IDR to 1m IDR for the day.
Alternatively, you may take the general public bus from Terminal Giwangan which is the primary bus terminal within the metropolis. The buses will drop you off on the most important bus station inside Borobudur and from right here you may take a Gojek scooter taxi to the doorway of the temple. You’ll be able to count on to pay about 30k to 50k for this journey a method. Nonetheless, with this methodology, you might be on the mercy of the bus schedule and also you gained’t have the ability to go to locations just like the Setumbu hill for the dawn.
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