PRAMBANAN
THE TALLEST AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HINDU TEMPLE IN THE WORLD
Built in the 10th century, this is the largest
temple compound dedicated these to Shiva
in Indonesiia.Rising above the centre of the last of these concentric squares
are 3 temples decorated wiith reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana,
dedicated to the 3 great Hindu divinities ( Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) and 3
temples dedicated to the animals who serve them. (Source: UNESCO)
ORIGIN OF THE NAME “LORO JONGGRANG”
There is attached to the name Loro Jonggrang a piece of well
known folklore .Loro Jonggrang is the name of the daughter of King Ratuu Boko,
whose name is still used with reference to the archaeological remains in the
Sorogedug high plateau which consists of ruins, supposed to be a kraton
(palace) in ancient times. The place has been referred to as the palace of king
Ratu Boko, whose daughter was said to be slender and beautiful.
Bandung Bondowoso a giant who had supernatural powers asked
for her hand. Afraid of refusing him she asked him to give her by way of a
wedding present a monument candi with a thousand statues to be built in one
night, a request which she considered could not be fulfilled. But she was
mistaken.
When Bandung Bondowoso was already approaching the final stage of his task in pleasing the one he adored, the princess by means of a trick was able to undo his work. Pounding on a rice mortar, she started the cocks to crow, thinking that dawn has come. Only one more statue had to be finished. Out of anger Bandung Bondowoso cursed the princess to be changed into stone to complete the number of statues.
When Bandung Bondowoso was already approaching the final stage of his task in pleasing the one he adored, the princess by means of a trick was able to undo his work. Pounding on a rice mortar, she started the cocks to crow, thinking that dawn has come. Only one more statue had to be finished. Out of anger Bandung Bondowoso cursed the princess to be changed into stone to complete the number of statues.
This statue is the Dewi Durga, which now stands in the
northern cells of the main temple. Up till now, this statue is still the object
of pilgrimage for people who believe in her. The name of the cursed princess is
used for this temple-complex.
Candi Loro Jonggrang is a Replica of Mount Mahameru Candi
Loro Jonggrang the burial place of the Kingdom, though essentially a temple of
Siva is also considered as a temple of the kingdom. The Candi Perwara
represents the sub-districts of the kingdom. As the dwelling place of the gods,
Candi Loro Jonggrang is a replica of Mt Mahameru. In the center rises the main
temple, symbolizing the top of the mountain, home of Siva, the 2 tops right and
left of it are for Brahma and Vishnu, while the other tops symbolize the places
of the lower deities.
There are 3 squares or yards in the Candi Loro Jonggrang
complex; the main or inner yard, the central and the outer yard. The inner and
central yard are sacred, the place of goods and kings who are worshipped as
gods, while the outer yard is of a profane character, a place where people are
preparing religious ceremonies.
In the Candi Loro Jonggrang complex this outer yard is for
more spacious than the other two. In this place there are no traces of ruins.
There used to be buildings there but no traces of them can be found now, since
they were constructed of material which was not durable such as wood bamboo
etc. These houses were viharas for priests, who supervised and took care of
these sanctuaries and dormitories for pilgrims who were visiting the place.
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