ABOUT “BOROBUDUR (BHUMI SAMBHARA BUDHARA)”

Borobudur from the sky (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/java/borobudur)

As a guide from Yogyakarta, I’ve been visited this magnificent Buddhist monument many times together with my clients or Travel Agent’s clients, because Borobudur is top destination in Java. It is famous temple among local tourists, Asian tourists, European tourists, American tourists, and etc. And, as a local guy who lives near this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site, I am so proud of it. Really really proud!

Well, before you come to Borobudur please read the general information below:

FACTS

- Name : Candi Borobudur (Present) or Bhumi Sambhara Budhara (Past)

- Location : Borobudur Village, Borobudur sub district, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province,  Java Island, Indonesia.

- Founder   : Syailendra Dynasty

- Architect : Gunadharma (from India)

- Timeline

· 750 – 825 : The project of Borobudur

· 1815 : Found again by local people in Thomas Stamford Raffles’ Regime (The Governor of British Indie Company and The Governor of Java at that time between 1811-1816)

· 1907 – 1911 : The 1^st restoration by Theodore van Erp (from Netherland)

· 1973 – 1983 : The 2^nd restoration by UNESCO and The Government of Indonesia

· 1991 : UNESCO World Heritage Site no. 592

· 2012 : World’s Largest Buddhist Archeological Site (Guinness World of Records)

- Structure and Architecture

· 60.000 m3 lava stones, 123 m x 123 m (the dimension of foundation), 34,5 m (height)

· 10 floors (6 squares, 4 rounds), 504 Buddha statues (432 inside of niches and 72 inside of Stupas).

· 1 Giant Stupa and there are 2.672 the relief of panels (1.212 decorative reliefs and 1.460 story reliefs). From 1460 story of reliefs there are 160 reliefs about Mahakarmawibhangga, 720 reliefs about Jatakamala/Awadana, 120 reliefs about Lalitawistara, and 460 reliefs about Gandawyuha.

It is amazing, isn’t it? This awesome temple was attracting millions of tourists from local and foreigners every year! Many famous people from around the world have been here such as Che Guevara (Sukarno Era), Nehru and Indira Gandi (Sukarno Era), Richard Gere (He is Buddhist by the way), Prince Charles, David Beckham, Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler & Iron Man 2), Kellant Lutz (Twilight Saga), Prince Akishino of Japan, Princess Mahacakri Sirindorn of Thailand, Mark Zuckerberg (CEO Facebook), Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway, and etc.

Princess Mahacakhri Sirindorn of Thailand with her students (www.thejakartapost.com) 

Although Borobudur (8^th Century) is about 300 years older than Angkor Wat of Cambodia (11^th – 12^th Century) but Angkor has bigger size. You have to understand that Borobudur is not a palace or city of temples like Angkor. They have different functions (mostly). Borobudur was a Buddhist Mecca at that time (especially in Southeast Asia), a sacred place, meditation centre, and a study centre. 

 Borobudur Sunrise, famous attraction

Borobudur is just like open library as a source of knowledge, philosophy, science, construction, and architecture.Java had great civilization at that time. Then Angkor Wat was a palace, a city of temples, centre of power, also for praying and offering. The last, Angkor Wat was Hindu palace also. For me, Borobudur and Angkor Wat are all great and magnificent.

Richard Gere in Borobudur a few years ago (https://eightbspezharpalu.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/richard-gere-batal-naik-gajah-di-borobudur/)

I know, visiting Angkor 1 day is not enough and to be honest if you come to Borobudur is the same, as long as you are travelling here not for selfie or taking photos only. If you learn and listening carefully from your guide in Borobudur, exploring the temple and the surroundings, 1 day is not enough! So all are depends on our perspectives my friends. That is why, for me both temples (Angkor and Borobudur) are great! I love both!

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook (https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2014/10/13/240613786/Zuckerberg-Visits-the-Borobudur-Temple)

You are absolutely must come to my hometown Yogyakarta and visit Borobudur. You must visit Bhumi Sambhara Budhara minimum once in your lifetime. Borobudur is a kind of prove to young generation if Java was the land of Buddhism long time ago.