Most Beautiful Hindu Temple in the World
Prambanan Temple is extraordinarily beautiful building
constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai
Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than
Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of
the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17
kilometers from the city center, among an area that now functions as beautiful
park.
There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about
this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who
loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her
a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly
fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in
order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who
only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard,
namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of
Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has
accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for
Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir
temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.
Entering Shiva temple, the highest temple and is located in
the middle, you will find four rooms. One main room contains Shiva statue,
while the other three rooms contain the statues of Durga (Shiva's wife),
Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga statue is said to
be the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the above legend.
In Vishnu temple, to the north of Shiva temple, you will
find only one room with Vishnu statue in it. In Brahma temple, to the south of
Shiva temple, you find only room as well with Brahma statue in it.
Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that
is located close to Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human
being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is
of golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings similar to
eagle's. It is assumed that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means
'rises' or 'shines') that is associated with the god of the Sun or Re in Old
Egypt mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology.
Garuda succeeded in saving
his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing
Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods).
Its ability to save her mother made many people admire it to
the present time and it is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird
as the symbol of the country. Other country using the same symbol is Thailand,
with the same reason but different form adaptation and appearance. In Thailand,
Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.
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