Prambanan Temple is one of the largest and most magnificent Hindu monuments in the world. Known as a symbol of the glory of architecture and cultural arts from the past, Prambanan Temple has a rich and deep history that is reflected in every stone and relief.
Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. Until now it is not certain when this temple was built and on whose orders, but it is strongly suspected that Prambanan Temple was built around the middle of the 9th century by a king from the Sanjaya Dynasty, namely King Balitung Maha Sambu. This assumption is based on the contents of the Syiwagrha Inscription found around Prambanan and is currently stored in the National Museum in Jakarta. The inscription dated 778 Saka (856 AD) was written during the reign of Rakai Pikatan.
The original layout of Prambanan Temple was rectangular, consisting of an outer courtyard and three courtyards, namely Jaba (outer courtyard), Tengahan (middle courtyard) and Njeron (inner courtyard). The outer courtyard is an open area that surrounds the outer courtyard. The outer courtyard is rectangular with an area of 390 m2. This courtyard was once surrounded by a stone fence that is now in ruins. The outer courtyard is currently just an empty courtyard. It is not known whether there were originally buildings or other decorations in this courtyard.
In the middle of the outer courtyard, there is a second courtyard, namely the central courtyard which is rectangular in shape with an area of 222 m2. The central courtyard was also surrounded by a stone fence which has now also collapsed. This courtyard consists of four terraces, the deeper it goes the higher it gets. On the first terrace, which is the lowest terrace, there are 68 small temples lined up around it, divided into four rows by connecting paths between the courtyard doors. On the second terrace there are 60 temples, on the third terrace there are 52 temples, and on the fourth terrace, or the top terrace, there are 44 temples. All the temples in this central courtyard have the same shape and size, namely a basic floor plan area of 6 m2 and a height of 14 m. Almost all the temples in the central courtyard are currently in ruins. All that remains are the ruins.
The inner courtyard is the highest courtyard and is considered the most sacred place. This courtyard has a rectangular plan of 110 m2, with a height of about 1,5 m from the surface of the top terrace of the central courtyard. This courtyard is surrounded by retaining walls and stone fences. On all four sides there are gates in the form of paduraksa gates. Currently only the gate on the south side is still intact. In front of each gate of the upper courtyard there are a pair of small temples, with a square base plan of 1 m5 with a height of 2 m.
In the inner courtyard there are 2 rows of temples that stretch north-south. In the western row there are 3 temples facing east. The temple that is located the most north is the Vishnu Temple, in the middle is the Shiva Temple, and in the south is the Brahma Temple. In the eastern row there are also 3 temples facing west. These three temples are called wahana temples (wahana = vehicle), because each temple is named after the animal that is the mount of the god whose temple is located in front of it.
The temple facing Vishnu Temple is Garuda Temple, facing Shiva Temple is Nandi (ox) Temple, and facing Brahma Temple is Swan Temple. Thus, these six temples face each other forming a corridor. Vishnu, Brahma, Swan, Garuda and Nandi Temples have the same shape and size, namely a square base of 15 m2 with a height of 25 m. At the north and south ends of each corridor there is a small temple facing each other, called Apit Temple.
The nearest cities to Prambanan are Yogyakarta (17 km southwest) and Klaten (3 km north). Prambanan Temple is easily accessible because it is located on the Solo – Yogya highway. From the city of Yogyakarta you can use Transjogja public transportation which stops at the Prambanan market bus stop. All intercity buses heading to Solo can also take you to the front of Prambanan Temple.
Opener
Prabu Janaka, the King of the Mantili kingdom had a daughter named Dewi Shinta. A competition was held by the king to find a husband for Dewi Shinta. The prince of the Ayodya kingdom, Raden Rama Wijaya, won the competition. Meanwhile, Prabu Rahwana, the leader of the Alengka kingdom also wanted to marry Dewi Shinta. Rahwana believed that Shinta was the reincarnation of Widowati, someone he had long desired.
Dandaka Forest
Rama and Shinta accompanied by Lakshmana were walking in the Dandaka forest. There Rahwana secretly observed Shinta and wanted to get her. Rahwana ordered one of his followers to become a Kijang Kencana to attract Shinta's attention. Shinta who was interested in Kijang Kencana then asked Rama to catch the deer. Rama then left Lakshmana and Shinta to hunt for Kijang Kencana. After a long time without returning, Shinta was worried and sent Lakshmana to catch up with Rama. Lakshmana then drew a magic circle around Shinta to protect her. Rahwana then tried to kidnap Shinta after she was left alone, but failed because of the magic circle. Rahwana then turned into an old beggar, Shinta who felt sorry came out of the circle to help the beggar. After Shinta came out of the circle, Rahwana then kidnapped Shinta and took her to Alengka.
Catching the Golden Deer
Rama shoots the deer with his magic arrow, but the deer turns into a Giant (Marica). A fight occurs between Rama and Marica, Rama defeats Marica with an arrow shot. After that Lakshmana then asks Rama to return to Shinta's place.
The Kidnapping of Shinta
On his way to Alengka, Rahwana meets a bird named Jatayu. Jatayu recognizes Shinta as the daughter of Prabu Janaka and tries to free her, but he is defeated by Rahwana. Meanwhile, Rama, who has just realized that Shinta is missing, meets an injured Jatayu. An angry Rama thinks that Jatayu kidnapped Shinta and tries to kill him, but is prevented by Lakshmana. Jatayu then explains what really happened and dies. A few moments later, a white monkey named Hanuman arrives. Hanuman was sent by his uncle Sugriwa to seek help to kill Subali. Subali is the one who kidnapped Dewi Tara, Sugriwa's favorite woman. Rama then decides to help Hanuman fight Subali.
Kiskendo Cave
Sugriwa arrived at Kiskendo Cave with Rama's help. Sugriwa then defeated Subali and saved Dewi Tara. As a thank you, Sugriwa helped Rama to find Sita by sending Hanuman as an envoy to the kingdom of Alengka.
Argasoka Park
Rahwana's niece, Trijata, is tasked with accompanying and calming Shinta in the garden. Rahwana asks Shinta to be his wife, but Shinta always refuses. Rahwana is angry to the point of wanting to kill Shinta, but he is always prevented by Trijata. Shinta then hears a song coming from Hanuman. Hanuman tells Shinta that he was sent by Rama to help her. Hanuman then destroys the Alengka garden. Indrajid, Rahawana's son, captures Hanuman. Kumbakarna, who tries to help Hanuman, is instead thrown out of the kingdom. Hanuman, who was sentenced to be burned alive, then burns the Alengka palace with his burning body.
Rama Bridge
After sending Hanuman, Rama and his monkey army built a bridge to Alengka. After the bridge was built, Hanuman returned and gave news of the strength of the Alengka army. Rama then gave orders to Hanuman, Hanggada, Hanila, and Jambawan to attack Alengka.
The Great War
The Great War took place between the giant Alengka army and the Rama monkey army. In this fight, Indrajid was killed by Lakshmana, Kumbakarna, Ravana's younger brother was also killed. Ravana was then killed by Rama's arrow and Mount Sumawana which was thrown by Hanuman.
The Meeting of Rama and Shinta
After Rahwana's defeat, Shinta finally meets Rama again. However, Rama refuses Shinta's return because he is worried that she is no longer pure. To prove her purity, Shinta burns herself. With the help of the fire god, Shinta survives the burns. Shinta's proof makes Rama happy and accepts Shinta back.
More complete details about the Ramayana Ballet can be found
seen HERE.
