Yogyakarta Luxury Tour

Though it is the largest Buddhist monument in the world, the 9th-century Borobudur was nearly subsumed by the jungle after the people of Java abandoned Buddhism in favour of Islam in the

15th century. In the 19th century it was uncovered by British and Dutch colonial leaders and restored to its former glory through a series of excavations and renovations that lasted up until 1973. Since that time it has reclaimed its place as the central Buddhist temple in Indonesia, and is arguably the country’s most famous site and a UNESCO World Heritage-protected monument.

Situated on a hill between two volcanic peaks, the temple was built as a large square stupa, reflecting Buddhism’s sacred cosmology. Nearly two million cubic feet of stone were used to build its

Nine ascending terraces — the lower six of which are square and the top three, round — 72 small stupas, over 504 sculptures of the Buddha and nearly 3,000 basrelief carvings.

Prambanan, one of the finest Hindu temple sites in the world and the largest complex of Hindu temples in Central Java. This UNESCO site was built in the 10th century and has three main temples in the primary area (known as the Loro Jonggrang complex), namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples, which all face the east and have accompanying temples facing the west as well: Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition to depicting Hindu deities, there are also bas reliefs of the Ramayana, an epic tale of Hindu teachings told through the life story of Prince Rama. This iconic, ancient story was composed around 750-800 BC and passed down through oral tradition.

Candi Plaosan — This temple is in Bugisan village, which is about two miles from Prambanan.

As such, it receives fewer visitors and parts remain in ruins, but it is well worth the extra time it takes to get here; it is usually reached on foot from Prambanan. Hindu and Buddhist symbols are featured here in three main complexes: Plaosan Lor (Plaosan North), the smaller Plaosan Kidul (Plaosan South), and the central complex.There is evidence that each area was once walled off from one another; today those walls are mostly piles of rubble. In terms of lines of defense, what remains are giant, menacing-looking dwarpala statues, or temple guardians, one at each complex on bended knee, holding a snake in one hand and a club in the other.

Candi Sewu — Located a short walk from Candi Plaosan and less than a mile  away from Candi Shiva in Loro Jonggrang, the “Thousand Temples” of Candi Sewu, is actually about 250 temples but is magnificent nonetheless.There is a main temple surrounded by four rows of “guard” temples.The main temple is the most interesting; the bronze statues that once stood inside are now gone, but the fine niches that held them are remarkable for their resemblance to Islamic architectural motifs.

Candi Sari — Similar to Candi Plaosan in construction, Candi Sari is a short distance away from Candi Kalsan. It is believed that the main temple used to be surrounded by smaller stupas, but these are gone today perhaps due to the fact that local villagers used it as a quarry for centuries. The remaining temple was most likely a dormitory for Buddhist priests, with Boddhisatva and Tara (the female Boddhisatva) imagery carved beside the windows of the six rooms built on two floors.

Candi Kalasan — Renovated during latter Dutch colonial times in 1929, the eight-sided Candi Kalasan is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the area. It was dedicated to Tara in AD 778, yet it is likely that this Sanskrit inscription referred to an earlier structure built on the same spot. Unfortunately, like many temples in the area and Asia in general, its former opulence is lost now as its bronze statues have been plundered and the shimmering plaster that once surrounded it is mostly gone, but the fine carving of a kala, or a jawless monster, above the entrance is quite fine and has stood the test of time and thieves.