Prambanan, the most beautiful Hindu temple in SEA

Prambanan temple, the most beautiful Hindu Temple in South East Asia was constructed in the tenth century at the height of the Sanjaya Empire in West Java.

Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), Prambanan is reminiscent of Hinduism’s triumph and influence in South East Asia.

The complex comprises of three main temples, dedicated to Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva, the great trinity or Trimurti, which is the Hinduism concept of creator, preserver and destroyer.

Shiva temple, the highest is located in the middle of the complex. There is a statue of Shiva in the main hall, while the other three halls contain the statues of Durga (Shiva’s wife), Agastya (Shiva’s teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva’s son). The statue of Durga is said to be Roro Jonggrang, a princess in Javanese folklore.

A Garuda temple is located near Vishnu Temple dedicated to the mystical bird of the Hindu mythology. Both Indonesia and Thailand uses the bird as the symbols for their country.

There are many panels of bas relief at the main temples depicting scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

This UNESCO World heritage site was damaged by an earthquake on 27 May 2006 and is in constant danger of collapse due to its close proximity to the volcano Mt Merapi.

Video by KSTan, Citizen Journalist