Candi Prambanan or Candi Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Sustainer (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva). The temple compound is located approximately 18 kilometres (11 mil) east of the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces.
The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and is one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the towering 47-metre-high (154 ft) central building inside a large complex of individual temples. One of the most majestic temples in Southeast Asia, Prambanan attracts many visitors from across the world.
Prambanan, is derived from the name of the village where the temple stands, which is thought to be changing the name of the Java language dialect term The Brahman Hindu theology means "the Supreme Brahman", ie Brahman or the highest and greatest eternal reality that can not be described, which is often equated with the concept of God in Hinduism. Another opinion considers the Brahman may refer to the heyday of the temple was formerly filled by the brahmins. Another opinion gives the presumption that the name "Prambanan" comes from the root word "mban" in the Java language that has meaning to bear or carry tasks, refer to the Hindu god who have the duty of organizing and running the harmony of the universe. The original name of this Hindu temple complex is a name derived from Sanskrit; Siwagrha (House of Shiva) or Siwalaya (Natural Shiva), based on the inscription Siwagrha Saka year 778 (856 AD). Trimurti honored in this temple complex with three main temples glorify Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. But Shiva Mahadeva who occupy space in the main temple of Shiva is the most honored god in this temple complex.
The temple complex
Originally there were 240 temples stood at this complex. The entrance to the building complex is located on the four corners of the wind direction, but the direction toward building is to the east, the main entrance of this temple is the east gate. Prambanan temple complex consists of:
- 3 Trimurti Temple: Shiva temple, Vishnu, and Brahma.
- 3 Wahana Temple: Nandi temple, Garuda, and Geese.
- 2 Apit Temple : located between rows of Trimurti temples and temples rides in the north and south.
- 4 Kelir Temple : located at the 4 corners of the wind right behind the entrance to the inner courtyard or the core zone.
- 4 Patok Temple : located at the 4 corners of the pages or the core zone.
- 224 Temple Perwara : arranged in 4 rows of concentric with the number of temples from the innermost to the outermost row: 44, 52, 60, and 68
So there are a total of 240 temples in Prambanan complex. Originally there were 240 big and small temples in Prambanan temple complex. But now only 18 temples; the 8 main temples and eight small temples in the core zone as well as two ancillary temples. Many Perwara temples that have not been restored, from 224 perwara only 2 that have been restored, which left only a pile of stones scattered about. Prambanan temple complex consists of three zones. The first is the outer zone, second the middle zone that is made up of hundreds of temples, the third is the zone in which the zone of the holiest places eight main temples and eight small shrines.
Prambanan temple complex cross section of the plan is based on a square of land consisting of three sections or zones, each zone is bounded courtyard wall andesite. The outer zone is characterized by a square fence each side along 390 meters, with the orientation of the Northeast - Southwest. Unless the remaining southern gate. Another part of the gate and walls of the temple, so many have lost. The function of the outer courtyard is not known; possibility is sacred park land, or dormitory complex Brahmin and his students. Perhaps the first building standing in the outer courtyard is made of wood, so it had rotted and destroyed nothing left. Prambanan temple is one of the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia apart from Angkor Wat. Three main temple called Trimurti and is dedicated to the three main gods Trimurti: Shiva the Destroyer, Vishnu the Preserver and Brahma the Creator. In this temple complex, Shiva are preferred and more exalted than the other two god Trimurti. Shiva temple as well as the main building of the largest and highest, 47 meters tall.
Like Borobudur, Prambanan temple also has a zone levels, started from the less holy to the most holy zone. Despite the different names, each concept has similarities in Hindu Buddhist concept that is essentially almost the same. Land either horizontally or vertically floor plan is divided into three zones:
- Bhurloka (in Buddhism: Kamadhatu), is the lowest realm of mortals; humans, animals, spirits and demons as well. In this realm, human are still bound with lust, passion, and a way of life that is not holy. The outer courtyard and the foot of the temple symbolizes the realm bhurloka.
- Bhuwarloka (in Buddhism: Rupadhatu), is a nature center, a holy people, rishis, ascetics, and lesser gods. In this human nature started see the light of truth. The central courtyard and the body of the temple symbolizes the realm bhuwarloka.
- Swarloka (in Buddhism: Arupadhatu), is the highest realm of the gods at once the most sacred place dwells, also called Swargaloka. The next courtyard and the roof of the temple symbolizes the realm swarloka. The roof of the temples in Prambanan complex decorated with a kemuncak mastaka ratna (Sanskrit: jewel), Prambanan is a modified form of jewel that symbolizes wajra form diamond or thunder. In ancient Javanese Hindu architecture, ratna is Hindu equations for Buddhist stupa, which serves as a kemuncak or mastaka temple.
Source :
http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candi_Prambanan
