• Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia, located in Central Java, approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta. It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty. Not long after its construction, the temple was abandoned and began to deteriorate. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918. The main building was completed in around 1953. Much of the original stonework, which has often been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones are available, and therefore only the foundation walls of most of the smaller shrines are now visible and with no plans for reconstruction. Today, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples. The temple was damaged during the earthquake in Java in 2006. Early photos suggested that although the complex appears to be structurally intact, damage is significant, with large pieces of debris, including carvings, scattered over the ground. The temple has been closed to the public until damage can be fully assessed. The head of Yogyakarta Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that: "it will take months to identify the precise damage". However, some weeks later in 2006 the site re-opened for visitors. The immediate surroundings of the Hindu temples remain off-limits for safety reason. Source: Wikipedia

• Prambanan temple is the biggest Hindu temple throughout Java island. This 47 meter high Hindu Monument is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sanbu of the Sanjaya Dynasty in the 9th century. As a Hindu Temple, it has three shrines dedicated to the Hindu Trinity. Brahma, Wisnu and Shiva. Each shrine is facing a smaller shrine, which delineates its "vehicles" the swan "Angsa" for Brahma, the eagle "Garuda" for Wisnu and the cow "Nandi" for Shiva. Prambanan temple locally known as the Loro Jonggrang temple, or temple of the "Slender Virgin". Around the temple, there is an open-air stage where The Ramayana Ballet is performed during the full moon from May to October. Source: Brochure

When approaching from the entrance, slender of the Slender Virgin can be imagined somehow.
After the earthquake in 2006, the entry to the inside is prohibited. Only to look from surroundings.
Stone works, such as the beats with big eyes or elephants, that seem to be Hinduism are placed.
Most parts were buried for centuries, how they were restored until this stage.
The restoration is still continuing, and some stones, collapsed at the earthquake, were lying on the ground.
Going out from the side exit, and leaving the Prambanan temple that is a part of a big park.

2009/04/01