Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple and monument, is located in Central Java, Indonesia, and was constructed in the Javanese Buddhist style during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty in the 9th century. Location is 40 kilometers (25 mi) northwest of Yogyakarta and around 500 Km (310 mi) from the state capitol Jakarta.
The best way to get there is flying to Yogyakarta from Jakarta, Bali or some other domestic airports. Some of the companies that fly to Yogyakarta are: AirAsia, Lyon, Batik Air and Garuda Airlines. Tickets can be as low as US$ 20, but usually close to US$ 100.
Open to public from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM but only those who book a Sunrise Tour can get in before 6:00 AM. From Yogyakarta Borobudur can be reached by taxi at fixed rate of Rp 300,000 (US$ 22)
By bus – Trans Yogja bus, line 2A or 2B, to Jombor Bus Station, Rp 3,600 (US$ 0,30). From Jombor Bus Station local bus to Borobudur Terminal and walk to the temple (around 10min). Bus will take about 60-90 min, and cost Rp 25,000 (US$ 2) one way.
Borobudur has a tropical rainforest climate – hot, humid and quite wet all year round. There are to distinctive seasons: dry season (from April to October), and the wet season (from November to March).
During the dry season is good, but be aware that there are more tourists and the weather is going to be hot. It will be wisw to wear a hat and lot of sun protection.
The entry fees to Borobudur are US$ 25 for non-Indonesian adult and US$ 15 for children under 6 (2017 prices).
Borobudur is decorated with 2672 relief panels and 504 statues of Buddha, which means the temple has the largest and most complete collection of Buddhist reliefs in the world.
The temple also has 73 bell-shaped domes pierced by decorative openings, each containing a statue of Buddha. Borobudur Temple is built out of lava stone in a square shape, with four entry points and nine platforms on three different levels, topped by a central dome. As symbol of a spiritual journey the three levels represent the three “realms” of Buddhist cosmology, namely Kamandhatu – the world of desires (1st to 2nd floors); Rupadhatu – the world of forms (3rd to 7th floors); and Arupadhatu – the formless world (8th to 10th floors).
Javanese conversion to Islam and concurrent decline of the Hindu Kingdoms led to the temple being abandoned in the 14th century. After laying hidden in the jungle under layers of volcanic ashes for hundreds of years, it was finally (re)discovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles during the British rule of Java.
Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple is must see for travellers to Indonesia.
