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Borobudur Temple, Colossal Heritage of Magelang, Central Java World Heritage

JJS Jateng Gayeng, MAGELANG - Borobudur Temple was built around the 8th-9th century AD, namely during the Syailendra kingdom. One of the largest cultural heritages in the world is located in Magelang City, Central Java.  The Borobudur temple is geographically located between several mountains and is located around the Progo and Elo rivers.

Borobudur Temple, Colossal Heritage of Magelang, Central Java World Heritage

The term Borobudur is a saying that Buddha often uttered after a shift in sound, until it became Borobudur. Another explanation also says that the word Borobudur comes from bara and beduhur. Bara means monastery and beduhur means high.

History of Borobudur Temple


Quoting the book Local Wisdom of Central Java: Timeless by Retno Susilorini, it is explained that the philosophy of building the Borobudur temple can be seen from the Karmawibhangga reliefs which depict human life and provide instructions for its founder, King Samaratungga, who ruled in 782-812 AD.

Borobudur Temple, Colossal Heritage of Magelang, Central Java World Heritage

This temple, which was built during the heyday of the Syailendra dynasty and founded by Samaratungga, aims to glorify Mahayana Buddhism as a belief that was widely adhered to by the people at that time.

Discovery and Restoration of Borobudur Temple


The discovery of the Borobudur temple itself began with a trip made by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles to the city of Semarang. At that time, he found information that in the Kedu area (the residency which includes Magelang), there were several stone structures with images covered by bushes.

Borobudur Temple, Colossal Heritage of Magelang, Central Java World Heritage

Then in 1835, Raffles sent Cornelius to inspect and clean the building with the Resident of Kedu.
The restoration of the Arupadhatu (top of the temple) section was carried out by Theodore Van Erp in 1907-1911. Further restoration was carried out by the Indonesian government and UNESCO in 1973 - 1983. The restoration carried out focused on the part of the temple under the arupadhatu which was cleaned and returned to its original position.

The shape of the Borobudur Temple building


The Borobudur temple building is divided into three parts, namely Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, and Arupadhatu.
1. Kamadhatu is part of the first to third levels of Borobudur temple. The Kamadhatu section has a karmawibhangga relief which depicts the laws of mankind.
2. Rupadhatu is part of the fourth to sixth levels of the temple which has Lalitavistara and Jatakamala reliefs which depict the life story of the Buddha.
3. Arupadhatu or the roof of the seventh to tenth level of the temple. In this section there are no reliefs but there are many stupas depicting the perfect achievements of mankind.

Borobudur Temple as World Heritage


Borobudur Temple was designated as a world heritage by UNESCO, at the 15th conference in France, for review and supervision. To carry out a special review of this world heritage, the Indonesian government formed a body for the restoration of the Borobudur temple, chaired by Prof. Ir. Roosseno. UNESCO also provided 5 million US dollars for the restoration of Borobudur temple.


The restoration was then inaugurated by President Soeharto in 1973 and continued until 1984. Then in 1991, the Borobudur temple was officially designated as a World Heritage by UNESCO.
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