The Temples of Java

Destination: Java, Indonesia

Travel guidebook summary

In Central Java, two massive temples rise as witness to the greatness of two empires: Borobudur (Buddhist) and Prambanan (Hindu). Explore the history and architecture of these two great sites with our travel guidebook.

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★ ★ ★★ Should have taken with me prior to trip
Take it with you while travelling through the island of Java. this is a must.

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Borobudur & Prambanan: About this Guidebook

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Guidebook Description

Java is home to two of the most impressive temples in all of southeast Asia: Buddhist Borobudur and Hindu Prambanan. Borobudur (built 760-830) rises gradually in a series of majestic tiers, a testament to its stupa-mound inspiration; while Prambanan (built 850-856) soars vertically, drawing on south Indian temple prototypes. Both inspire with their innovative architectural designs, world-class narrative reliefs and compelling sculptures. Still infused with their historical magic, they are yours to discover.

What’s in this guidebook

Art and architecture review. We provide an overview of 800 years of Javanese art and architecture, isolating trademark features that you will see again and again while touring temples in central and east Java. To make things come alive, we have packed our review with high-resolution images.
Detailed tours of Borobudur and Prambanan. Following our tradition of being the most valuable resource for culture-focused travelers, we offer detailed tours of Borobudur and Prambanan. For each, we reveal its most important architectural and decorative elements and provide a discussion that ties it all together.
Advice for getting the best cultural experience. To help you plan your visit, this guidebook supplies logistical advice, maps and links to online resources. Plus, we give our personal tips for getting the most from your experience while on location.
Information the way you like it. As with all of our guides, this book is optimized for intuitive, quick navigation; information is organized into bullet points to make absorption easy; and images are marked up with text that explains important features.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Watch Before You Go

Getting Started

BOROBUDUR

The Basics

Visiting the Site

Layout & Symbolism

A Walk Around The Temple

First Impressions

The Encasement Base

Things to Look For

Gallery-Level Narrative Reliefs

Subject Matter and Position

Process and Style

Reliefs Tour Itinerary and Map

Buddha asked to descend from heaven
Buddha enters Maya’s womb
Maya travels to Lumbini
Siddhartha sees sick man
Siddhartha cuts hair
Siddhartha meditates with five ascetics
Siddhartha defeats Mara
Mara’s daughters tempt Siddhartha
Siddhartha achieves enlightenment
Buddha gives first sermon

Upper-Level Buddhas & Stupas

Borobudur’s Stupas
Gallery-Level Buddhas
Upper-Level Buddhas

En Route: Candis Mendut and Pawon

PRAMBANAN

The Basics

Visiting the Site

Layout of the Temple Complex

Core Temple Zone

The Centerpiece: Shiva Temple

Understanding a Hindu Temple

First Impressions

A Walk Around the Periphery

Shiva Temple Sanctuaries

Shiva Sanctuary
Agastya Sanctuary
Ganesha Sanctuary
Durga Sanctuary

Other Structures in the Core Temple Zone

Shiva Temple’s Mount Shrine

Brahma Temple

Vishnu Temple

Narrative Reliefs

Subject Matter and Position

Process and Style: Borobudur Compared

Reliefs Tour Itinerary and Map

Gods seek Vishnu’s help
Rama wins Sita’s hand in marriage
Rama and Sita depart into exile
Rama shoots golden deer
Ravana abducts Sita
Rama slays usurper monkey king Vali
Hanuman talks with Sita
Monkeys build bridge to Lanka

TOURING THE ISLAND

Map of Central Java’s Temples

Map of East Java’s Temples

CENTRAL JAVA

Early Hindu Temples

Background

Temple Profile

Buddhist Temples

Background

Temple Profile

Late Hindu Temples

Background

Temple Profile

EAST JAVA

Background

Temple Profile

Reliefs

Continuing Travel in Southeast Asia

Our Recommendations

Where to Stay, Eat and Shop

Packing List

About Approach Guides

Additional Info

Extras to enhance your trip

Video

Watch our video on Borobudur’s Buddhist reliefs

The Temples of Java

Travel guidebook summary

Message from the author

Borobudur & Prambanan: About this Guidebook

Guidebook screenshots

Guidebook details

What’s in this guidebook

Extras to enhance your trip

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