January 24, 2008

Ancient giants- Prambanan at sunset

Location: Prambanan, Solo, Central Java, Indonesia (7°45′8″S, 110°29′30″E)
Date: 25 December 1995; 7.20pm
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia built in the 10th century during the reign of the vast Hindu empire of Srivijaya. It is a complex of eight major candis surrounded by about 250 smaller individual ones. The main candis are the three in the centre known as Trisakti, dedicated to the three Hindu gods of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. These 3 temples are decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana. The temple complex is a peaceful place situated between the two major cultural cities of Yogyakarta and Solo (closer to the later).
The temple complex was damaged during the earthquake of 2006. It seems that the damage is quite significant with large debris such as original stones and carvings scattered over the area. I have read that the complex is now reopened again but unsure of the damage and conditions. One can only hope that major portions of it remain intact as it is rather amazing to see so many Hindu (this is just one of many. Others include those in Dieng Plateau and so on) as well as Buddhist shrines (the majestic Borobodur is about 60km away) in the most populous Muslim country in the world.

No comments: