Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is another unique temple in Central Java. If you visit Yogyakarta, do not miss this temple. You only need to spend half day to visit this temple. It is famous with its well-known legend that happened in the past. It is located 15 km east of Yogyakarta. It is the largest Hindu (Shiva)temple in south-east Asia and was built in the 9th century. This temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There are 224 temples within the Prambanan complex. The main temples are typical Hindu temple with tall and pointed architecture. The three main temples/shrines decorated with reliefs depict the legend of Ramayana. Those three shrines are dedicated to the three Hindu deities, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Brahma temple is in the north and Vishnu temple is in the South. Shiva temple is between Brahma and Vishnu temples. The height of the biggest temple, which was dedicated to Shiva, is 47 metres.


Prambanan ...

Prambanan temple is very famous with the legend of Loro Jonggrang (Slender Virgin), the daughter of King Boko. Loro Jonggrang was a beautiful princess. Many men proposed her to be their wife, but she always refused them. One day, the Prince Bandung Bondowoso proposed her and she turned down his offer of marriage. She did not want to accept Prince Bandung Bondowoso because he killed Loro Jonggrang's father and took over her kingdom. At the end of the day, she was forced to agree to marry the Prince, but she asked the Prince to fulfill her wish. She asked him to build 1,000 temples for her just in one night... an impossible wish. With the help from spirits (demons), the Prince managed to build 999 temples. When he was about to build the last temple, the Princess tried to abort the Prince's work by deceiving him. She attempted to make the Prince and spirits believe that the sun was about to rise. She ordered her maid to awake the women in the village and asked them to start pounding rice and set a fire in the east of the temple, hence the cocks crowed. The Prince believed the sun was rising and all the spirits went back into the stone. Finally, the Prince found out he was tricked by the Princess and he was very angry. He cursed the Princess to be the big statue and use it as the decoration for the 1,000th temple.


Sewu Temple

In the Prambanan area, you also can visit some of the earliest small Buddhist temples, such as Bubrah temple, Lumbung temple, Sewu temple, Plaosan temple, Kalasan temple, Sari temple, and Sambisari temple.

If you have chance to visit this temple on the full moon evenings in the month from May to October every year, you can also see the Ramayana ballet performance.

Tips!
Well, you can come here by rented car or join a local tour. Usually in the hotel, they provide tour service especially for the Ramayana Ballet performance at night.
Please bargain if you wish to buy souvenirs or you also can buy souvenirs in Yogya (if you stop by Yogyakarta)
Apply sunscreen and bring hat or umbrella during drought season (April - October)
Bring umbrella during rainy season (October - April)
Bring snacks or drinking water as it is a bit difficult to find a cafe or a restaurant within Prambanan complex

Lastly, hope you like this unique temple ...