Prambanan Temple
Java Region
Prambanan Temple, also known as Candi Prambanan or Rara Jonggrang, is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound located in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Dedicated to the Hindu Trimūrti-Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer-it is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and the second largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat. The temple complex is renowned for its tall and pointed architecture, with the central Shiva temple soaring 47 meters high, surrounded by numerous smaller temples originally totaling 240 structures. Constructed primarily during the mid-9th century under the Sanjaya dynasty, it marked a significant religious and political shift from Buddhist to Hindu dominance in Central Java. The temple served as the royal temple of the Mataram Kingdom, hosting religious ceremonies and housing hundreds of Brahmins and disciples within its walls. Today, Prambanan remains a masterpiece of classical Javanese Hindu architecture and a major cultural and tourist attraction drawing visitors worldwide.
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Tip: The best time to visit Prambanan Temple is during the dry season from May to September to avoid rain and enjoy clear views. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets in advance through official channels to avoid queues. Evening visits to witness the Ramayana ballet performance near the temple are highly recommended for a cultural experience. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Wear comfortable shoes as the complex is extensive and involves walking on uneven surfaces.
Interesting facts
- •Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and the second largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat.
- •The central Shiva temple reaches a height of 47 meters, making it one of the tallest ancient structures in Indonesia.
- •The temple complex originally comprised 240 individual temples, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Javanese Hindu architecture.
- •The temple's construction involved rerouting the Opak River to protect it from volcanic lahar flows from nearby Mount Merapi.
- •A statue of Shiva inside the main temple is believed by some archaeologists to represent King Balitung, symbolizing his deification after death.
History
Prambanan Temple was constructed around 850 CE, initiated by Rakai Pikatan and expanded by subsequent Mataram kings including King Lokapala and Balitung Maha Sambu.
It was built as a Hindu response to the Buddhist dominance in the region, particularly as a counterpart to the nearby Buddhist Borobudur temple.
The temple complex was originally called Shiva-grha or Shiva-laya, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
During its construction, a major public water project rerouted the nearby Opak River to protect the temple from volcanic lahar flows.
Over the centuries, the temple complex expanded to include hundreds of ancillary temples.
It served as the main religious center of the Mataram Kingdom until its decline, after which it was abandoned and later rediscovered and restored in modern times.
Place Guide
Central Shiva Temple9th century
The tallest and most prominent temple in the complex, dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer. It features intricate reliefs and houses a large Shiva statue believed to symbolize King Balitung.
Brahma and Vishnu Temples9th century
Two smaller temples flanking the central Shiva temple, dedicated to Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver, representing the Hindu Trimūrti.
Perwara Temples9th century
Hundreds of smaller ancillary temples surrounding the main temples, originally numbering around 240, built to expand the temple complex and support religious functions.
Contact
Phone: 0811-2688-000
