There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Roro Jonggrang Bondowoso love. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed into a statue to Jonggrang-1000 because he felt cheated. By many in the Prambanan temple is often referred to as the Loro Jonggrang.
In 1733, this temple was found by the CA. Lons a Dutch nationality. Then in 1855 Jan Willem IJzerman began cleaning up and move some rocks and soil from the chambers of the temple. Some time later Isaac Groneman do a major overhaul and temple stones were piled haphazardly along the River Opak.
In 1902-1903, Theodoor van Erp keep parts are prone to collapse. In the years 1918-1926, followed by the Bureau of Archeological (Oudheidkundige Dienst) under PJ Perquin in a more methodical and systematic, as known to his predecessors did the removal and demolition of thousands of rock without thinking of the restoration effort back.
De Haan in 1926 continued until his death in 1930. In 1931 was replaced by Ir. V.R. van Romondt up in 1942 and later handed over leadership of the renovation was to the son of Indonesia and it continued until 1993.
Many parts of the temple is renovated, using new stones, as many original stones were stolen or reused elsewhere. A temple will only be restored if at least 75% of the original stones are still there. Therefore, many small temples are not rebuilt and only the foundations are visible.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. These three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All three temples were facing east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are two temples wedge, four-color temples, and the four corners of the temple. In the second there are 224 temples.
Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you'll see four rooms. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other three rooms each with a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is touted as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend above.
In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Vishnu. Likewise, the Brahma temple located south of the Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.
Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located near the temple of Vishnu. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, who was gold, white face, red wings, beak and wings like an eagle.
It is estimated, the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu figure (means 'rises' or 'shining', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).
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Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. According to experts, the relief is similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the people of the 9th century had wisdom to manage its environment.
On May 27, 2006 earthquake with a strength of 5.9 on a scale hit Bantul and surrounding areas. The earthquake caused severe damage to many buildings and deaths in the population there. One of the badly damaged building is the Prambanan complex, especially the Brahma temple. Until now, this improvement is still underway and some of them already completed.
To achieve Prambanan, fairly easy, with a wide range of flight options you can get to and from downtown Yogyakarta warm, you can rent a car or taxi to Prambanan temple takes about half an hour.
