Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
High on a mountain in Central Java, Borobudur Temple rises up towards the sky. In Buddhist belief, the closer you are to Heaven, the closer you are to the gods. And as you climb the steps of the temple, the jungle landscape of Indonesia revealing itself in every direction, you can understand how the people who built this masterpiece felt more connected to the ethereal than the earthly.
The world’s largest Buddhist temple is made up of five large square terraces, with three circular platforms on top of them, and then a magnificent stupa at the very top. From a distance it is stunning… but close up the true magic is revealed with intricate carvings on the walls throughout the whole complex.
Borobudur was built in the eighth and ninth centuries but, at some point in history, was abandoned and left to the wilds of nature. For at least five hundred years the jungle was all that climbed the steps towards the celestial. Trees, vines, and animals overtook one of man’s greatest creations and embraced the rocks again. The temple became hidden from the eyes of humanity.
It wasn’t until 1814, when Java was under British control, that the English governor, Thomas Stamford Raffles, heard stories from local villagers about a mysterious and abandoned structure. He sent his people to investigate and for two months a team of 200 men had to cut down trees, burn vegetation and dig away at the earth to reveal the temple at Borobudur.
Visiting Borobudur
Visiting it today, it’s hard to understand how something this large and spectacular could have remained hidden for so long. But there’s a certain enchantment in imagining you are the explorer who finds it for the first time in centuries. It’s slightly easier this morning because I’ve come before the official opening hours to climb to the top in time for the sunrise (a privilege for which you pay ten times the normal entrance fee). There are only a handful of people here and there’s a peace and serenity fitting for such a spiritual place.
I’m told by some tour guides that the site gets absolutely packed during the day – to the point where it’s hard to even climb up the narrow and steep staircases, let alone lose yourself in the moment. I’m glad that’s not going to be me.
As the sun rises in the sky, it’s obscured partly by this morning’s cloud cover but rays are starting to break through and illuminate the structure and the surrounding lands. It’s still very quiet at the top of the temple and slowly it’s becoming lighter. Around me, inside 72 small stone stupas, are 72 seated Buddhas. They turn from shadowy silhouettes into glowing images of divinity as the morning progresses. Only one is uncovered (I’m not sure why) but the rest seem protected and disconnected from the daily pilgrimage of the tourists.
The Borobudur Temple complex is the single most visited site in Indonesia, although the majority of tourists are Indonesians. The increasing numbers are presenting challenges and the authorities are looking at ways to manage any potential damage to the site. Millions of dollars have been spent on restoration and preservation over recent decades – particularly by UNESCO, which listed the site on the World Heritage List in 1991.
Something so intricate but also so large, abandoned for so many years, needs a lot of love and care. Being closer to Heaven doesn’t make it immune from the hands of man.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here.
You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
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Turtle, like the name suggests, likes to take things slowly. Luckily that's one of the best ways to see the world - and that's exactly what he's doing at the moment.
This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.
20 Responses
Looks like an amazing place that definitely needs to be showcased to the world. Not sure I would want to see it while it is packed though. Places like this need to be seen at a slow pace in solitude.
I think it would be a really different experience to be there when it’s full of tourists. There was something a bit special about being there as the sun came up.
Ah.. it must have been nice to be able to dispatch 200 men to find stuff for you. I wonder how one does that.
Laurence recently posted..#TravelPinspiration: Sunsets
If you ever find out, please let me know – it would make life so much easier. I’ve got about four pairs of socks they could start looking for…
Things that are this old simply boggle my mind…great stuff.
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Shula’s 347 Grill – Tallahassee
Yeah, I know. it’s hard to imagine sometimes. But its especially hard to imagine it being hidden away for so long. It would be like losing the Vatican for a few centuries. “I know I left it around here somewhere…”
That looks like a truly amazing place and I never even heard of it before now, just goes to show , you learn something new every day. Thanks for sharing.
BlogDaz recently posted..Pattaya Street Robbery
I have to confess, I hadn’t heard of it before I starting looking into the Indonesia trip. But it’s such a beautiful place that I’m very happy to be sharing it with people!
Already in my hit list since its so close to the Philippines.
Elmer Cruz recently posted..The Rise of the Dead
Oh yeah – it’s quite easy for you to get over there. You could probably even fly straight into Yogyakarta.
Wow that is gorgeous… I especially loved the last photo
Jade – OurOyster.com recently posted..Travelling With Children – Interview With FamilyOnBikes
Thanks. It was a very photogenic place!
It looks so different without any other visitors. Almost makes you want to pound your chest and bark out Tarzan calls over the jungle canopy! Okay, maybe that’s just me…
Cam recently posted..The disOrient Express – London to Everywhere and Back
Ha ha… I think it might be just you. Although, to be fair, it does feel like that a bit.
It is definitely much nicer without the crowds – and with beautiful light in the early morning.
Love the first photo! The temple looks so peaceful.
Mary@Green Global Travel recently posted..ECO NEWS: NY Aquarium Needs Help After Sandy’s Devastation
It was definitely peaceful in the morning. ‘m not sure how quiet it would be later in the day when it’s full of tourists!
I’ve seen many fascinating photos of this place. But I never before realize its grand scale. Its even more alluring now. I cannot wait to get to Indonesia and see it.
Sherry recently posted..Canyon Deep in Ronda
It’s the perfect mix, though – a huge monument that is impressive from the distance… and tiny, intricate details carved into the stone when you’re close up.
Oh thanks for sharing these wonderful pics, As a Buddhist It’s a shame I haven’t heard about this place, thanks for enlightening me.
Bests
Bishan.
It’s an astounding place so I hope you manage to get there one day. It can get really packed during the day so you might find it a bit more spiritual early in the morning at sunrise.