Borobudur temple in Indonesia Tour And Travel | Travel Information

Name        : Borobudur Tample
Location   : Magelang,central java
Country    : Indonesia
This location is very beautiful and stunning highly inappropriate for a family vacation who want to travel. This location is ideal and will never regret after the visit.

History

There is no written record of who built Borobudur or of its intended purpose. The construction time has been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's hidden foot and the inscriptions commonly used in royal charters during the eight and ninth centuries. Borobudur was likely founded around 750 AD. This corresponds to the peak of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java (760–830 AD), when it was under the influence of the Srivijayan Empire. The construction has been estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign of Samaratungga in 825.
For centuries, Borobodur lay hidden under layers of volcanic ash. The reasons behind the desertion of this magnificent monument still remain a mystery. Some scholars believe that famine caused by an eruption of Mount Merapi forced the inhabitants of Central Java to leave their lands behind in search of a new place to live. When people once again inhabited this area, the glory of Borobudur was buried by ash from Mount Merapi.
Borobudur was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who, during his visit in Semarang, received a report indicating the discovery of a hill full of many carved stones. The hill was believed by the local inhabitants to be the site of an ancient monument called budur. Raffles then commissioned a team led by Cornelius to investigate the hill.
It was in 1835 that the site was cleared. Some efforts were made to restore and preserve the colossal monument since then. Unfortunately, in 1896 the Dutch colonial government gave away eight containers of Borobudur stones, including reliefs, statues, stairs and gates, as presents for the King of Siam who was visiting Indonesia.
A restoration program undertaken between 1973 and 1984 returned much of the complex to its former glory, and the site has since become a destination of Buddhist pilgrimage. On January 21, 1985 the temple suffered minor damage due to a bomb attack. In 1991, Borobudur was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Stages of development of Borobudur

• The first stage

Borobudur development period is not known for sure (estimated between 750 and 850 M). Initially built-storey apartment layout. It seems designed as a pyramid with staircase. but later changed. As there is evidence of a dismantled apartment layout.

• The second phase

Borobudur foundation widened, plus two square steps and one step directly circle given a huge main stupa.

• The third stage

Terrace of the circle with a large main stupa dismantled and removed and replaced by three railroad circles. Stupas are built on top of these steps with a large stupa in the middle.

• The fourth stage

There are minor changes such as making changes to the stairs and curved reliefs above the door.

Summary of the process of restoration of Borobudur Temple

• 1814 – Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Governor General of the United Kingdom in Java, heard of the discovery of archaeological objects in the village of Borobudur. Raffles ordered H.C. Cornelius to investigate the discovery site, a hill covered with shrubs.

• 1873 – the first monograph on the temple issue.

• 1900 – Dutch East Indies government established a committee of refurbishment and maintenance of the temple of Borobudur.

• 1907 – Theodoor van Erp led the restoration until 1911.

• 1926 – Borobudur restored again, but stopped in 1940 due to malaise and the crisis of World War II.

• 1956 – The Government of Indonesia requested assistance of UNESCO. Prof. Dr. C. Coremans came to Indonesia from Belgium to investigate the causes of damage to Borobudur.

• 1963 – The Indonesian government issued a decree to restore Borobudur, but the mess after the events of the G-30-S.

• 1968 – At a conference-15 in France, UNESCO agreed to provide assistance to rescue Borobudur.

• 1971 – The Indonesian government established body that is chaired Prof.Ir.Roosseno restoration of Borobudur.

• 1972 – International Consultative Committee was formed with the involvement of various countries and Roosseno as its chairman. Committee sponsored by UNESCO to provide 5 million U.S. dollars from 7750 million dollar refurbishment costs the United States. The rest is borne Indonesia.

• August 10, 1973 – President Soeharto inaugurated the commencement of the restoration of Borobudur; restoration was completed in 1984

• January 21, 1985 – bomb attack which destroyed some of the stupa at Borobudur Temple which was immediately repaired. Attacks carried out by Islamic extremist groups led by Hussein Ali Al Ethiopia.

• 1991 – Borobudur designated as World Heritage by UNESCO.

  

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having supply of Buddha teaching script from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to improve Buddha's teachings after his return to India and he built a religion institution, Vikramasila Buddhism. Later he became the leader of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa were then summarized as the core of the teaching called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or well known as Bodhipathapradipa.
A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain.
With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away..