Visiting the country with thousand temple

Temple seems to be a part that can not be separated for the birth of the Indonesian culture. Every inch of carved stone temple has its own story, until finally creating so many legends about the history or past life of this country.

The existence of many temples scattered in the country is actually built as a place of public worship at that time embraced the Hindu or Buddhist beliefs. However, not only a place of worship for the gods, but also there are several temples built as a palace, monastery, gate, to the bathhouse. No exception, the temple was built to honor the king who had died.

Construction of a temple is not arbitrary, but based on the terms and conditions originating from the book Vastusastra or Silpasastra.

One part of the book is Vastusastra from Manasara South India contains the standards to make the temple and all its components. In fact, including architectural design profane, form cities, villages, fortresses, temples placement in cities or villages complex, and many more.

Some of the requirements to build the temple also became an important part contained in the book. One condition is the sacred building should be erected near water, such as river water (mainly near the confluence of two rivers, lakes, sea), even if there is no river water should be made of artificial pond or put a vase of water near the entrance of the shrine it. In addition to near the water, the best place to establish a temple which is at the top of the hill, on a mountainside, in the forest and the valley.

These provisions also apply to Borobudur Temple. Temple is the pride of Indonesia, located near the confluence of the Elo and the Progo River, in the village of Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java.

Grandeur and beauty of this temple has been heard at the international world. In fact, had become part of the Seven Wonders of the World a few years ago.

The temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha was built by King Samaratungga in the era of Old Mataram Kingdom, the work completed in the year 824 AD. Places of worship are shaped berundak punden consisting of ten levels.

Levels in Borobudur interpreted as stages of human life. Starting from a bound man with a passion or Kamadhatu. Then, Rupadhatu, the man has been free from lust but, still tied to appearance and shape. Then, there are levels of human meaning Arupadhatu been freed from lust, appearance and shape. Until finally, to the highest level, Arupa, none other than Nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Another case with the Prambanan temple. Hindu temple was built by two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung of the 10th century. Located 17 kilometers from the center of Yogyakarta, this beautiful building has three main temples on the first page, the temple of Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva.

Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are two Apit temples, four color and four Temple Temple Angle. Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.

Behind the beauty of Prambanan stored legend is well known by the community, namely the story of Roro Jonggrang loved by Bandung Bondowoso. However, because Roro Jonggrang not love him, so he ordered Bandung Bondowoso a thousand temples overnight. Unfortunately, when the temples numbered 999, Roro Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire, until Bandung Bondowoso feel cheated, and cursed Roro Jonggrang to stone, as we see now.

Moved to West Java, there Cangkuang Temple. Temple is located on a small island, which is a lake named ditengahnya Cangkuang, Kampung Pulo, Leles subdistrict, Garut, West Java. Cangkuang Temple is a temple was first discovered in West Java and the only Hindu temple, around the 8th century AD, who was in the Land Pasundan.

Discovered in 1966 by researchers, and Uka Harsoyo Candrasasmita, after discovery of Vorderman report in 1893. Rectangular building, on the left side of the viewer or where there are stairs going up and on the north side is the entrance.

Beside of this there is a statue with a broken-down condition, flat face, the hands until the wrist was lost. Overall, the authenticity of Cangkuang only remaining temple of about thirty-five percent, which is now just a reconstruction engineering.

There are many more temples scattered in the archipelago. This cultural wealth must take care and preserve forever. And, deservedly called the State Indonesia Thousand Temple.