architecture of Candi Prambanan, Java Island - Indonesia

Candi Prambanan is the grandest temple in Java apart from Borobudur. Candi Prambanan or often be called Candi Loro Jonggrang complex is a Hindu temple complex estimated to have been built during the late 9th and early 10th century. Located on the Prambanan plain, this sprawling temple complex sits majestically at the end of the Central Java period and somewhat later than Borobudur temple in an open area about 20 km south of Mount Merapi, which dominates the horizon. Its refined beauty as a crystallization of the various kinds of technical achievements that had been made up to then make it every bits as representative Hindu Java arts as Borobudur temple. This candi complex can be said to be the highest level of ancient architecture in the world.

Candi Prambanan is the largest, most dignified and beautiful Siva monument in the world. Its obvious greatness reflects the glory and grandeur of an ancient Kingdom once reigning over Central Java. Its architecture and ornament bear witness to highly developed techniques and masterly skill once belonging to Indonesia. Prambanan is a Siva complex and represents the largest historical remains found in the Prambanan area.

The Legend of Loro Jonggrang

Loro Jonggrang was the daughter of the cruel, powerful King Prabu Baka who ruled the ancient Javanese kingdom of Prambanan. She had a proposed from a young noble, Bandung Bandawasa who was the son of the generous King Bandawasa who was too, the powerful king of Pegging kingdom. Bandung Bandawasa was handsome, wealthy and powerful, but Loro Jonggrang didn’t want to marry him just because she found out that Bandung had killed her father in the battle. Loro Jonggrang gave a task to Bandung Bandawasa to make her 1000 temples in one night, to prepare his marriage to her.Bandung used his supernatural power to call the genies and they made the temples with unbelievable speed and tell them to finish it before sunrise. Loro Jonggrang saw the task was almost complete. Then, she ordered her servants to help her hit the rice using the rice puncher and made the sound of cooking. Her actions made the genies think that the morning had come and they left the temples undone. At this time, Bandung Bandawasa was left with 999 temples made. He was so angry at Loro Jonggrang actions and so he finished the 1000th temple and he cursed Loro Jonggrang into a stone statue to fill in the 1000th templet.

Cited from:

• http://fi2cahimoet.blogspot.com/2009/05/legend-of-roro-jonggrang.html
• http://indonesianfolklore.blogspot.com/2007/09/loro-jonggrang-folklore-from-central.html

Architecture Side

The entire Candi Loro Jonggrang complex is divided into three squares. The main square which in the center, the second square in lower (middle yard) and the third square which in the lowest (the out side yard). All the three are each surrounded by walls and are connected with one another by entrance.

The Main Square is surrounded by a stone wall and forms the first square of the Candi Loro Jonggrang complex.There are 6 big temples in the main square standing two rows from North to South. At the west side we find three bigger temples, the Siva temple as the main temple flanked by the Vishnu temples (north of it) and the Brahma temple (south). All are facing east.On the east side there are three similar temples, which used to be called the Candi Vahana (the carriage) and which are facing west. At the north end and south end of the square between the two rows of temples mentioned above, there are the two candi Apit. In each corner of the square and exactly in front of each entrance, there are small temples, the corner is called Candi Sudut and the temple in front of the entrances is the Candi Kelir.

Noteworthy is the fact that it is not the main temple – which contains the status of Siva Mahadeva – that forms the most sacred place of the candi Loro Jonggrang complex, but the candi Mehara Sudut, which stands south of the eastern flight of stairs of the main temple are each flanked by a pair of them. Inside the temple we find a base with a hole under which there is a tube which contains three rock stones shaped as a parallelogram. This tube is not visible from the outside. There is line drawn on these stones indicating the sacred spot in the center of the square. In the other words, the main statues do not stand exactly on the sacred spot, but a little to the North West.Candi Loro Jongrang is a replica of Mount Mahameru. It is the burial place of the Kingdom, though essentially a temple of Siva, it is also considered as a temple of the Kingdom. The candi Perwara represent the sub district of the Kingdom.

As the dwelling place of the God, Candi Loro Jongrang is a replica of Mount Mahameru. In the center rises the main temple, symbolizing the top of mountain, home of Siva, the two top right and left it are for Brahma and Vishnu, while the other tops symbolize the places of the lower deities.In the Candi Loro Jonggrang complex this outer yard is for more spacious than the other two. In this place there are no traces of ruins. These used to be buildings there but not traces of them can be found now.

For more information on Prambanan Architecture Please visit:

• http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/indonesia/yogyakarta/prambanan.php
• http://www.borobudurpark.co.id/en-philosophy2.html