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Tuesday, November 12, 2024

How To Visit The Ancient Borobudur Temple, Central Java, Indonesia

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When I arrived at the Borobudur Temple in Java, I distinctly remember being amazed by its grandeur and the spiritual aura you feel when you stand atop of the hilltop, looking out over stupas and Buddha statues.

Borobudur is the largest buddhist temple in the world, and is famous for its decorative relief sculptures, and long-standing history as a a training center for those looking to reach spiritual enlightenment.

In Indonesia, they regard it as one of the seven wonders of the world, but this hasn’t extended to the rest of the world. It’s still a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Southeast Asia, if not the world.

Visiting the Borobudur Temple helped ignite what has turned into a lifelong passion for discovering different beliefs and viewpoints.

I knew little about Buddhism at the time, but I was determined to learn and find out. What better place to do that than from within the stone circular walls of a magnificent temple – the ancient Borobudur Temple in Indonesia?

In this guide, I share everything you need to know about visiting the Borobudur Temple, including its history, how to get there, and what special features to look out for.

The History of Borobudur Temple

statue of seated buddha at Borobudur temple

Borobudur sits in an area between two twin volcanoes, Sundoro-Sumbing and Merbabu-Merapi, and two rivers, the Progo and the Elo, on the island of Java.

This area has been dubbed the “Garden of Java” and is known as a sacred place.

If you enjoy contemplating the mysteries of ancient structures, it was found that the three Buddhist temples in the region. Borobudur sits in the middle of the three temples, the others, Mendut Temple (3 km away) and Pawon Temple (2 km away), are built in a perfect straight line, and together they represent the phases you would take on a spiritual journey to reach Nirvana.

The Borobudur Temple is in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, Indonesia.

It was once the center of Buddhist life in Indonesia until sometime around the 15th centuries when it was mysteriously abandoned and remained undiscovered until the early 20th century (around 1814), when it was found buried under a pile of volcanic ash.

Somehow this massive temple was swallowed up by the trees and vines of the jungle and hidden from the eyes of humanity.

It as the first time I asked the question, “How did something like this disappear? How could the surrounding civilization just allow the vines and animals to take away such a sacred and exquisite monument to the divine?”

How amazing is the earth that it just keeps growing and reclaiming no matter what we do? It’s such a force.

After it was discovered, more of its history came to light. It’s believed to have been built in the Sailendra Dynasty (8th and 9th Century AD), where it was used as a Buddhist temple until sometime in the 15th centuries when it was abandoned.

Design of Borobudur Temple

borobodur temple yogyakarta java

The design of the Borobudur Temple is no accident, everything from the way it faces to the height of the upper level has been carefully considered.

In Buddhist cosmology, the universe is divided into three spheres; kamadhatu (the desire realm), rupadhatu (where we are bound by desire), and arupadhatu (formless space).

Borobudur Temple’s base represents kamadhatu, the five square terraces represent rupadhatu and the three circular terraces and large central stupa represent arupadhatu.

It’s also a good time to marvel on the incredible design of Borobudur Temple. It’s also said to have been built in the style of a mandala, which represents the Buddhist teachings.

This enormous stepped pyramid temple measures 123 x 123 meters and is constructed of 60,00 cubic meters of lava rock. It took an army of workers to build.

It has stood the test of time even though it has suffered through abandonment, nearby volcano eruptions, terror attacks, and earthquakes.

What is most astounding is that this centuries-old temple was built without any cement or mortar, but held together by interlocking pieces. Could we say they hold the patent on LEGO?

buddha statue face

Borobudur is said to mean “City of Buddhas high on the hill” and once you see it – you believe it.

Hindu influence is evident in the Gupta architecture, although it incorporates many uniquely Indonesian design elements, carvings, balustrades, and scenes.

The monument is decorated with 504 Buddha statues and 2,672 relief panels that depict daily Buddhist life in Java. It’s a step-style pyramid with six square bases leading up to three circular layers and a large main stupa.

Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.

As well as the main stepped pyramid, Borobudur has two other important temples in the region worth noting; Mendut Temple (3km away) and Pawon Temple (2km away). Borobudur sits in the middle of the three, in perfect straight line, and together they represent the phases you would take on a spiritual journey to reach Nirvana.

The Restoration of Borobudur into a UNESCO site

facade of brobudur temple

In the 1970’s, a massive restoration project began to restore the ancient temple to its former glory and make it one of the world’s most valued treasures.

The restoration cost twenty-five million dollars, had the support of UNESCO and professionals from 27 countries, and took eight years of labor to finish.

Over one million stones were moved and set aside to be identified, catalogued, cleaned and treated for preservation and put back in its place. It set the standard for future preservation efforts around the world.

Restoration and preservation continues through traditional Javanese methods to repair and replace the many damaged sculptures, including more than a few headless Buddhas.

Borobudur is now a protected UNESCO site.

With an abundance of human footprints, proximity to a few active volcanoes, and location in an area used to some intense shaking earth, it’s quite the effort to maintain its beauty, but conservation is intent on it.

My Experience Visiting Borobudur

aerial view of ancient borobudur temple in jungle

The Borobudur Temple complex is now the single most visited site in Indonesia and one of the most amazing things to do in Indonesia.

Borobudur sits on top of a hill standing guard over paddy fields, jungle canopies and distant hills.

Not only is the temple and its intricate designs something to marvel at but the surrounding jungle landscape will press upon you a presence of divinity. 

The world’s largest Buddhist Temple is made up of five large square terraces, with three circular platforms on top of them, and then a magnificent stupa at the very top.

You start at the base of the temple and follow a guided path around the square terraces and circular platforms taking in thee relief panels and statues of Buddha as you pass to eventually reaching the magnificent stupa at the top.

It’s the path of the pilgrim helping you to feel closer to the Gods as you rise towards the heavens!

It’s a time to contemplate the world of forms, your attachment to it, and the gradual release from that to one that embraces a life without form, or oneness with divinity.

And don’t forget to look back at those views, they will be heavenly.

bell shaped scluptures of temple

I only wish I could visit again now that I am a highly spiritual person with a deeper connection to mysticism.

I can only imagine how elevated I would feel meditating at Borobudur and absorbing the ancient wisdom.

Give yourself time when you visit to walk slowly and take in the essence of this spiritual place. It’s worth it and if you move too fast with all that steep climbing, you’ll get tired pretty quick!!

woman reaching in to Borobudur temples Java
Don’t do this!! Read on

Back when I visited, we were encouraged to reach inside the stupa and rub the Buddha for good luck. Now I know better.

The bottom part of the stupa has become soft and it lost its original shape due to being touched repeatedly by tourists. So please refrain and help preserve one of the wonders of the world.

Say a silent prayer to the Buddha asking for good luck instead. I’m pretty sure he will grant it to you and much prefer that than a belly rub.

sunrise Borobodur temple Java Indonesia
Sunrise at Borobudur

After seeing this photo, I am immensely disappointed, I did not visit Borobudur for sunrise. Look how quiet, still, and spiritual it feels.

Writing this post has created a longing for me to return to this place. My travel life lately has been missing ancient wonders.

I can feel what I felt all those years ago – the recognition that my life will never be the same and this was all I wanted my life to be.

Sunrise is ultimate time to visit Borobudur and see it peeking out from behind Mt Merapi. Fees will be slightly higher though, and despite it being sunrise, it’s still busy at this time.

How to Get to Borobudur Temple Indonesia

Borobudur is only one hour’s drive from Yogyakarta. The easiest way to get there is by joining a tour or renting a car or scooter, or taxi. Once there, it is easy to explore by foot.

I recommend you download the ride share app, Bolt (Grab also works), and you can rent a scooter or car to take you there. You should negotiate with your driver a price to come and pick you up after.

The cheapest, but least convenient way is to go by public bus. They depart from Jombor Terminal in the North of Yogyakarta and it takes approx. 90 minutes.

However, the first bus may not leave earlier enough to get you there in time for sunrise.

In the tourist areas of Yogyakarta, you’ll find minivan transfers to Borobudur or you can arrange a transfer with a tour company (you can often negotiate with your hotel/hostel on this).

Opening Hours & Entrance Fees

The temple is open to public from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily. It’s best to visit in the morning to escape the Indonesian heat! You are near the equator here and it is intense.

The price of a ticket is about $25 USD per adult and $15 USD for a child. You would need to pay in Indonesian Rupees.

There is also an additional fee to climb up the temple now, which wasn’t there when I visited. You absolutely must climb up the temple to see the views and the stupas up close, so make sure your ticket has this included.

Guided Tours of Borobudur Temple

people walking up steep stairs of temple

I think visiting the temple with a guide will be the best way to experience Borobudur as you can get a deeper insight to its significance.

Here are a couple of options:

Where to Stay near Borobudur Temple, Java

statues of Prambanan temple yogyakarta
Prambanan temple, Yogyakarta

Borobudur Temple is about an hour’s drive from Yogyakarta, the gateway to Borobudur and an ancient city worth hanging around a few days in.

It’s surrounded by beautiful countryside, lush jungles, volcanoes, and waterfalls to swim in.

Yogyakarta a very important city of Java, what they call the cradle of civilization. It was the seat of power that produced the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in the 8th and 9th century and the new powerful Mataram kingdom of the 16th and 17th century.

I wont go into detail for things to do in Yogyakarta, but even though it’s a city, there is still lots to see and do here, and it’s very well known for its arts scene and temples.

It felt very ancient to me and again helped me feel connected to something mysterious, which back then I had no idea how to explain or what it was.

So I’d recommend adding time to your trip to explore this ancient city. And I highly recommend you visit Prambanan, another exquisite ancient temple in Java.

Oh I also think it is the coolest name and still love saying it. It is pronounced Jogjakarta. Just another thing that mesmerized me at the beginning of my travels – things are never quite as they seem and languages differences are delightful.

If you’d prefer to stay closer to Borobudur so you don’t have to get up early for sunrise, there are a few rural homestays, guesthouses and hotels nearby which would be good for one night:

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to get caught up in the intoxicating parts of travel, like ziplining across a jungled canopy, snorkeling with colorful gigantic fish, or indulging on the finest wine paired with cheese.

Often it’s the quieter, more grounded experiences that can connect us to something deeper and grant us an insight into an ancient world our DNA has always been a part of, but one we consciously don’t understand or know.

It’s surprising how easy this guide to visiting Borobudur Temple was for me to write and update.

That proves the long lasting effect it had on me and how timeless the experience is.

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