About Borobudur Temple: History of Indonesian Cultural Heritage!
Borobudur Temple is one of the largest cultural heritage sites in Indonesia and is one of the wonders of the world that should not be missed! Its popularity is worldwide. It's not surprising that thousands of tourists visit this tourist spot located in Magelang, Central Java, every year.
The history of Borobudur and the beauty of its architecture are its own attractions. Come visit Borobudur, learn its history, and discover the wonders of this Indonesian cultural heritage.
Borobudur Temple is a relic of the Syailendra Dynasty from the Ancient Mataram kingdom. When was Borobudur Temple built? This Buddhist temple was built in the 780-840 century AD.
Borobudur Temple has received World Heritage status by UNESCO. This means that Borobudur Temple has been recognized worldwide and you should be proud as an Indonesian citizen.
Borobudur Temple is now the rehabilitated Borobudur Temple, t-mates.When it was first discovered, Borobudur Temple was not as visible as it is now, you know.
In fact, the existence of Borobudur Temple was initially unknown. Even though it is written in the Tepusan inscription, the form of Borobudur Temple was buried in the ground due to the eruption of Mount Merapi.
It was only in 1814 that Raffles discovered it. Since then, Borobudur Temple has begun to be restored. The biggest restoration of Borobudur Temple began in 1975 and lasted for 7 years until we can finally see it as it is today. How, increasingly interested in visiting Borobudur tourism?
Exploring the Historical Site of Borobudur Temple
Touring while learning the history of Borobudur Temple
Origin of the Name "Borobudur"
Borobudur tourism really attracts attention. Not only because of its beauty, but also because of the history of Borobudur and its origins. Initially, Borobudur Temple was not as it is known today. Information about the origins of this temple is minimal.
However, there is an inscription which states that Sri Kahulunan bestowed his land in Tri Tepusan village for the maintenance of a holy place called Kamulan I Bhumisambhara, which is related to what is today's Borobudur.
The Tri Tepusan inscription also states that this building is also called da avidam, which means ten-layered building, according to the number of levels in Borobudur Temple.
The title of Sang Putri Sri Kahulunan is associated with Dyah Pramodhawardhani, the daughter of Rakai Warak Dyah Manara who is also known as Raja Samaratungga of the Syailendra Dynasty. This makes it possible that this ruler is the builder of Borobudur Temple.
Syailendra Dynasty
The history of Borobudur cannot be separated from the Syailendra dynasty. Borobudur Temple is a relic of the Syailendra dynasty, which controlled most of Java from the 7th to 9th centuries.
The Syailendra dynasty were Buddhists, and they ordered the construction of Borobudur as a monument to their faith. The temple was built in several stages over a 75 year period, and was completed in 825 AD.
The Syailendra dynasty has deep roots in Central Java, Indonesia, and is thought to have originated in the Kalinga Kingdom in the 5th century. Although there are theories that they came from Sumatra, India, or Cambodia, there is no strong evidence to support these claims.
The name "Sailendra" in Sanskrit means "King of the Mountain," referring to tall volcanic mountains such as Mount Merapi which overlooks Borobudur Temple.
The name "Sailendra" was first mentioned in the Kalasan Inscription, which uses the Nāgarī script in Sanskrit. This inscription records that the religious advisors of the Syailendra dynasty suggested the construction of a sacred building to Maharaja Tejahpurnapana Panamkarana, which later became Kalasan Temple.
Architecture of Borobudur Temple
Interested in architecture? Borobudur tourism will amaze you. Borobudur Temple is a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.
The temple is a magnificent structure consisting of 504 Buddha statues and 2,672 relief panels, depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha and stories from Hindu mythology.
Borobudur has a diameter of 123 meters (404 feet) and a height of 43 meters (141 feet). The temple is built in the shape of a mandala, a sacred diagram representing the universe in Buddhist cosmology.
Many people wonder how many levels Borobudur Temple has. Some say 10 levels, others say 3 levels. Both are true, but the context is slightly different.
Borobudur Temple has 10 levels which are divided into 3 levels. Each level represents a different universe, namely:
-
Kamadhatu:The realm of desire and is depicted by the base of the temple. The relief panels on this level depict scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as stories from Hindu mythology.
-
Rupadhatu: Nature forms and is depicted by the middle tier of the temple. The relief panels on this level depict scenes from the Jataka tales, which are stories about the Buddha's previous lives.
Arupadhatu: Nature is without form and is represented by the upper level of the temple. The top level of the temple is decorated with a large stupa, which is believed to represent the Buddha himself.
Borobudur Temple Statue
Borobudur Temple has an area of up to 2,500 square meters, so visitors can get lost because various sides of the temple look similar. However, there are tips for not getting lost when visiting. On the second and third levels, there are Buddha statues surrounding Borobudur Temple.
The position of the Buddha statue's hands (mudra) marks the location. For example, the Buddha statue's left hand is in its lap and its right hand is facing something, called Abhayamudra, indicating a location in the north.
In the west, there is a Buddha statue in the posture of Amitabha, with both right and left hands joined together as if in meditation. In the south, the Buddha's hand posture is Dhyani Buddha Ratnasambhawa, while in the east, the Buddha's hand is Bhumisparsamudra.
Reliefs of Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple consists of several levels which are a depiction of human life according to Mahayana Buddhist Cosmology. Starting from Kamadhatu which reflects the current nature of the human world to Rupadhatu which is the level of manifestation of transitional nature.
In this zone, Buddha statues surround the temple. At the highest level, Arupadhatu, is a reflection of the house of the gods. At the top, there is a giant stupa which cannot be visited again to preserve the preservation of Borobudur Temple.
Borobudur Ship in Reliefs
The Borobudur reliefs also depict ships known as Borobudur Ships, namely double-outrigger sailing ships from the 8th and 9th centuries in the archipelago. Several replicas of the Borobudur ship have been made, such as the Sarimanok in the Philippines, the Damar Sagara, and the Samudra Raksa at the Samudra Raksa museum in Magelang, Central Java.
The Borobudur reliefs were also the inspiration for the construction of the "Spirit of Majapahit" ship replica. However, this replica received criticism because the ship depicted in the Borobudur relief came from an earlier era than Majapahit which used jong.
Functions of Borobudur Temple
Apart from being a tourist attraction for Borobudur, this Buddhist temple has an important role in the religious practices of Buddhists. Functions of Borobudur TempleWrong The other is a place of pilgrimage for those who wish to achieve enlightenment and wisdom according to Buddhist teachings.
Pilgrims walk through a series of passages and stairs while viewing 1,460 relief panels depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and stories from Hindu mythology. In addition, this temple has a meditation room used by Buddhist monks, as well as small stupas as storage places for Buddha's relics.
Another function of Borobudur Temple is as the center of world Vesak celebrations. Every year, Borobudur Temple is the location for the Vesak holiday celebration, where Buddhists gather to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha.
Visiting the Museum at Borobudur Temple
If you are interested in seeing other historical artifacts found at Borobudur Temple, you can visit the museum in the temple area without having to pay an additional ticket. The location is close to the exit, making it the last stop before returning home from the Borobudur tour.
-
Karmawibangga Museum
This museum displays various archaeological finds as well as photos of the restoration of Borobudur Temple. One of the main collections of this museum is the Unfinished Buddha statue. This statue is different from other Buddha statues that are carved on every level of the temple, so it is very interesting to see. -
Museum Kapal Samudraraksa
Here, you can see the reconstruction of the giant ship found in the reliefs of Borobudur Temple. The museum also offers fun and exciting interactive exhibits, equipped with advanced LED technology for an engaging play experience.
No less interesting, right? Well, a visit to these museums will give you valuable experience after exploring the wonders of Borobudur Temple.
Borobudur Tourism and Temple Climbing Rules
Currently, Borobudur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia. The temple is open to the public, and visitors can climb to the top of the temple to enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings. Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important cultural and historical sites in Indonesia.
After knowing the location, you must know the latest regulations that apply. Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent. Apart from that, make sure you wear polite and closed clothes to respect the function of Borobudur Temple as a place of worship for Buddhists which is still used today.
You are also not allowed to bring food and drinks from outside. Don't forget to always maintain cleanliness by throwing rubbish in the right place.
Previously, Borobudur tourism managers implemented a ban on climbing Borobudur Temple. Visitors can only enter the courtyard/yard area. This is done to protect Borobudur Temple. However, as of October 13 2023, visitors are allowed to climb Borobudur Temple by purchasing a special Borobudur Temple ascending ticket.
So, for those of you who are still wondering, can you go up to Borobudur Temple? The answer is yes, yes! So, how much do you pay to go to the top of Borobudur Temple? T-mates can check it directly on the official Borobudur Temple website and buy it there.
By buying tickets to climb Borobudur Temple, ticket-mates can get other benefits. Starting from the privilege of climbing the Borobudur Temple monument, being accompanied by a carita teacher who educates you about the reliefs, and getting special sandals that you can take home.
Unique Facts about Borobudur Temple
-
Borobudur Temple has a stupa-shaped structure which is a symbol of the universe in Buddhism. These stupas illustrate the concept of cosmos in Buddhist cosmology.
-
Borobudur Temple has a complex irrigation system with water channels designed to drain water into the temple complex. This system shows an advanced level of technology at the time of the temple's construction.
-
Most of the stones used in the construction of Borobudur Temple come from volcanic rocks, which shows the level of skill in understanding the properties of rocks and using them in construction.
-
In addition to not using adhesives, Borobudur Temple was also built with a mortarless technique, which uses the strength of friction between stones to maintain structural stability, showing a high level of technical expertise.
-
The reliefs that adorn Borobudur Temple depict a blend of ancient Indian, Persian, and Greek art, showing the artistic and cultural wealth manifested in the relief artwork.
Borobudur Temple Entrance Ticket Prices 2024
In 2022, the entrance ticket price for Borobudur Temple is becoming a hot topic of discussion. There is talk that the entrance ticket price for Borobudur Temple will be set at 750 thousand. This is said to be a government step to protect Borobudur Temple and maintain a balance between commercialization and conservation of the temple area.
Initially, this plan only applied to tourists who wanted to go up to the temple, while tourists who only wanted to visit the temple area only needed to buy regular tickets. However, until now, this plan has not been implemented and Borobudur ticket prices are still the same as usual.
So, to save time and money, it is recommended to order Borobudur 2024 entry tickets before leaving. Entry ticket prices for Borobudur Temple 2024 for local and foreign tourists can be seen below.
Borobudur Temple Entrance Ticket Prices for Local Tourists
-
Children aged 3 years to 10 years: IDR 24,000;
-
Ages 10 years and over and adults: IDR 48,000.
Borobudur Temple Entrance Ticket Prices for International Tourists
-
Children aged 3 years to 10 years: IDR 208,800;
-
Ages 10 years and over and adults: IDR 348,000.
The entrance ticket price for Borobudur 2024 includes insurance premiums.
*Prices may change at any time, check the package catalog on this page for more updated prices
Facilities at Borobudur Temple
Seeing various interesting things at Borobudur Temple cannot be done in a short time. T-mates need quite a long time to go around it to be satisfied. Therefore, the management of Borobudur Temple provides several facilities for visitors. Among others:
-
Food stalls;
-
Souvenir stalls;
-
Visitor center;
-
Toilet.
You can surround Borobudur Temple on foot with the assistance of a tour guide or alone. However, if you want to enjoy the view of Borobudur Temple in another way, there are bicycle and rabbit cart rentals, you know.Interesting, isn't it?
Location of Borobudur Temple and Latest Rules
Better known as Jogja tourism, The location of Borobudur Temple turns out to be in Magelang. Precisely on Jalan Badrawati, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency, Central Java.
Even though it is in a different province, Borobudur Temple is near Yogyakarta. T-mates don't need to worry about distance. From Yogyakarta to Borobudur Temple it only takes about 1 hour to drive.
If you are still confused, you can also use Google Maps to make it easier.
Route to Borobudur Temple from Jogja
If you are staying in Jogja and want to go to Borobudur Temple, here is the easiest route you can take. The easiest route from Jogja to Borobudur Temple is via Jl. Magelang. The journey will pass through the goodbye gate of Yogyakarta City and Jombor Flyover.
After passing Kali Krasak, which separates the provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java, you are halfway there. At the T-junction of the Borobudur Temple Welcome Monument, turn left onto Jl. Raya Borobudur. Then, simply follow the directions to Borobudur Temple. Easy, right?
Borobudur Temple Operational Hours
Those of you who want to visit Borobudur Temple must know its operational hours. Here are the details:
-
Counter opening hours: 06.30-16.30 WIB;
-
Borobudur Temple Park and Courtyard opening hours: 07.00-17.00 WIB.
Please note, visits can only be made to the Borobudur Temple Tourist Park and the Borobudur Temple Yard/Park yard. Visitors are not allowed to go up to the temple area. But, don't worry. To make it more exciting, you can go around the park using a bicycle.
Tips for Traveling to Borobudur Temple
-
Use a tour guide to get in-depth information about the history and symbolic meaning of Borobudur Temple.
-
Buy entrance tickets online through platforms such as tiket.com to avoid long lines at the location.
-
Prepare an umbrella, hat, and drinking water because the weather around Borobudur Temple tends to be hot.
-
Use sunblock to protect your skin from the scorching sun.
-
Buy souvenirs near the exit as they are usually more affordable than those inside the temple complex.
-
Consider hiring a photographer at the best photo spots around Borobudur Temple for the best photo results and beautiful visual memories.
-
If you are bringing a baby or toddler, you can rent a stroller at parking lot A before the ticket booth for Rp50,000.
Come and Visit Borobudur Temple Now!
After knowing information about entrance ticket prices and Vesak Day celebrations at Borobudur Temple, you will definitely be more curious about visiting it. Borobudur Temple, a legacy of the Ancient Malay kingdom, is one of the leading tourist destinations in Indonesia, especially during the Vesak Day celebrations.
During the celebration day, the grounds of Borobudur Temple become the location for a beautiful lantern festival, an event that is only available on that day. If you are interested in taking part in this festival, it is recommended to book entrance tickets to Borobudur Temple and the festival well in advance.
So what are you waiting for? Come on, schedule your tour to Borobudur Temple and order Borobudur entrance tickets at tiket.com!
Recommendations for accommodation and hotels near Borobudur
Do you already have an entrance ticket to Borobudur Temple? It's time to choose accommodation and hotels near Borobudur to make your holiday more comfortable. There are several accommodation and hotel options. Check below.