A Mahayana Buddhist stupa, Borobudur holds the honour of being the largest Buddhist monument found anywhere on this earth. It is located 41 km north west of Jogjakarta (Yogyakarta) in Central Java, a province of Indonesia. Though, there are no written historical records available to prove who actually constructed Borobudur and for what purpose, still the estimation of construction time suggests that it was built during the rule of Sailendra dynasty between 750-800 AD.

Later, in its history, Borobudur was deserted, the reason is again uncertain. Some earlier scholars believe that a famine caused by eruption in Mount Merapi was the reason while more recent scholars attribute the desertion to the shift of Javanese power from the area of Borobudur to the valley of the Brantas. After its abandonment, Borobudur was rediscovered by Lieutenant-Governor Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1814. He sent a group of men to make further investigations and from 1835 onwards work began to clear off the dense tropical vegetation that engulfed it. Drawings of reliefs were made and appeared in the first Borobudur monograph of 1873. Photographs were also taken which further helped in instilling a sense of appreciation for the Borobudur monument.

Architecture
Constructed as a huge single stupa, Borobudur gives an impression of a massive mandala when seen from above. It spreads over an area of 118 sqm and has nine platforms. Out of these nine platforms, the lower six are square in shape while the upper three are circular. A total of 72 small stupas encircling a large central stupa adorn the upper platform. These stupas are in shape of a bell and have a number of beautiful openings. Inside, statues of Buddha are seen.


The structure of the stupa is also an endorsement of Buddhist philosophy that lays stress on mental preparation towards attainment of ultimate goal. In this sense, the base represents Kamadhatu or the world of desire, the successive five platform represent Rupadhatu or the world of forms and the top three platform are symbolic of Arupadhatu or the formless world. The entire structure manifests how men abandon the world of forms and name to enter the formless world devoid of any desire.

The Gateways of the stupas are guarded by 32 lion statues. The main entrance to the stupa is from the eastern side. You can reach up to the upper part by stairways that are in the middle side of each platform.

The Relief Works
The relief work of Borobudur spread over a surface of 2500 sqm. Out of 2670 individual bas relief, there are 1460 narrative panels and 1212 just decorative. The narrative panels are segregated into 11 series that go around the monument with the total length of 3,000 metres. The 1st of these series with 160 narrative panels can be seen at the base. The rest of the 10 series spread over the walls and balustrades in four galleries. The panels on the walls are read from right to left while that on the balustrades from left to right.

In the first gallery, two superimposed series of reliefs each consisting of 120 panels relate the biography of Buddha (according to Lalitavistara text) and the former lives Buddha (as told in the jatakas and avadanas). The second gallery 128 panels depicting the story of Sudhana in search of the 'Ultimate Truth', as per the Gandavyuha text. The third and the fourth galleries are dedicated to Sudhana's further wandering and his attainment of the Perfect Wisdom.

Yogyakarta
One of the four main tour destinations of the island of Java in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is a city with abundant historical and cultural heritage. A number of tourists turn up every year to explore the various attractions of this destination. Primary amongst these are The great Sultan's Palace, Parangtritis Beach, Merapi Volcano Prambanan Temples and ofcourse the Borobudur Stupa. The place is also known to attract tourist for its Ramayana Ballet and Wayang Kulit. The best way to explore the city is to go around by bike, pedicab, or horse cart. Enroute, the sincere smiles and greeting of the people will fill your heart and soul with warmth.

Availability of plenty of Star as well as budget hotels along with restaurant and cafes ensures that you do not face any problem while touring this place. If you wish to stay in Borobudur itself, then you need to know that there are exactly three hotels there and dining options also are quiet limited.

Other Attractions

• Candy Pawon : This temple, dedicated to the Buddhist God of Fortune, Kuvera, stands around 1 ½ kms northeast of Borobudur. The temple, it is believed, had three images originally but when discovered there was none. The outer walls shows images of bodhisattvas interspersed with female deities and bird bodied kinnaris. Given its close location to Borobudur, Candy Powan must have been an extremely important pilgrim destination for devotees in the erstwhile era.
  
  
• Candy Mendut : This temple shaded by Banyan tree is older than even the Borobudur. It is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Sailendra king Indera in 824 AD. The highlight of the temple are the three images that unite Buddhism across time - Shakyamuni, Avalokiteshwara and Maitreya Buddha. Apart from this, you can also see bas relief panels depicting stories of bodhisattvas from the Jataka tales, on the outer side. The temple stands some 3 km east of Borobudur.
  
  
  
• Candy Ngawen : Located 4 ½ km east of Borobudur, Candy Ngawen is group of five shrines in the north south array facing east.It is believed to have enshrined five jinas originally but today only two of them remain.