One Big Candi: Borobudur Temple

After a fun-filled afternoon exploring the city and Water Castle, I retreated back to my hostel and focus my attention on some Chili Javanese Chicken or what we call back home as spicy chicken. It was delicious while it lasted and ending the meal with a bottle of soda is already heaven. Perfect!

I went back to the hostel to make a reservation for my Borobudur and Prambanan temple hopping that I planned to do the following day. Package costs 150,000 Rupiah or around 730 pesos, which includes a car/van rental, bottled water and breakfast plus additional 13 & 15 USD for the entrance fees for both temples. I did give in to tour packages here in Yogyakarta because it’s more affordable as oppose to D.I.Y. The owner also gave me an option to hire a car for 350,000 Rupiah for the whole day tour of Borobudur, Prambanan and other attractions like Mt. Merapi. For shutter bugs out there, this is your best option, you have all the time in the world to capture that perfect sunrise and sunset.

It’s five o’ clock in the Morning

Call time was five in the morning and it’s a good thing that the nearby mosque is already up and about at exactly four. The sound of worship kept me awake, no need for me to force myself to get out of bed and the alarm clock for the succeeding days is no longer a necessity --- save me some phone battery time.  I’m so excited about this tour specially seeing Borobudur Temple or Candi Borobudur in the flesh. This temple have been in my college notes for years and walking up the stairs of Borobudur is like a dream come true; kind-a- like Scrat to his Acorn (remember the squirrel from Ice Age? Yup, that one).

Just a few backgrounder on Borobudur: It is a 8^th – 9^th century Buddhist monument which is compose of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms decorated with various reliefs and Buddha statues. They consider the monument both a shrine and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage so better align what you do with the norms when visiting the place. This is like Vatican City to Roman Catholics and Mecca to our Moslem brothers. By 14^th century Borobudur was abandoned as Buddhism and Hindu believes declined in the island but after the British conquerors discovered the area, works to preserve and restore the temple begun. Later on Borobudur Temple was in listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Indonesia’s most visited attraction to date.

Sorry for the geeky information but I couldn’t help it, I actually have some notes from college as I write this blog (lol) and of course a few help from Wiki.

I was anticipating a sunrise atop the temple but we went out of the road a bit late to actually catch the rise of the golden sun. We ended up stopping at the side of the road near the rice paddies to take photos of nature’s display of artistry. I found a perfect spot at one of the paddies where the sun mirrored on the pool. Good thing our driver is cooperative enough and even asked us if we want to take some photos outside.

After an hour and a half of traveling, we reached the gates of Borobudur; we arrived a bit early as scheduled, so we waited for the clock to strike seven before the temple staff allowed us to get in. Before you get to enjoy the sites in the area, you’ll be asked to wear a sarong as a sign of respect. Free coffee, tea and bottled water are given to guests after you pay the entrance fee.

I walked pass some tourist who choose to take photos at some park rather than walk straight to the temple itself. From afar you can actually see the tip of the highest stupa but as you walked nearer, the grandeur size of the temple presents itself to the mob of spectators. It was massive. Borobudur’s foundation is a square, approximately 118 meters on each side, made up of 55,000 cubic of stones from neighboring stone quarries, so you can just imagine how grand it was. I got the same excitement when I first saw Angko Wat in Cambodia.

Another Art Gallery: Reliefs and Buddha Statues

As you enter the levels of terraces inside Borobudur, you will be presented with various intricate bas-reliefs and statues. The first four terraces of the temple walls have amazing bas-relief, considered as most elegant in the ancient Buddhist world. You can sense how skilled the artist behind these reliefs.

Most of the bas-reliefs depicted the daily lives of the ancient Java. From palace life down to the commoners in the village, you can also see the story of Prince Siddharta and the birth of Buddha, legendary person, and law of Karma.

The Buddha statues on the other hand look all the same at first, but I remember an Amazing Race episode where in the contestants are asked to memorize all the Buddha statue formation. Apparently there are six formations but I only counted four, I lost track of the others I guess.

I didn’t have any guides to keep me informed; I just followed a group of tourists with an English speaking guide who narrated the stories behind the bas-reliefs. I tried it when I was in Forbidden City, China and Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Just be careful for the guides not to notice you.

Reaching the Top

Reaching the final level of the terraces where you can find on giant bell like stupa is like summiting a mountain. The view at the top gave me an amazing 360 degree view of the surroundings. On a clear morning sky, you can even see Mt. Merapi from the distance.

Let the photos below give you an idea of what I saw that morning:

It was really a trip worth the wait. Next stop, another temple as important as Borobudur.

Yogyakarta Series:

Yogyakarta: Random Stories

Exploring the city on a Becak

Yogyakarta: Water Castle (Tamansari)

One Big Candi: Borobudur Temple
Heart Breaker: The Prambanan Temple Love Story
Side Trip: Mendut
Money Rundown: Power of Rupiah