Haritage Of Yoyakarta (Part 1)

Hindu and Buddhist Relics

Hinduism and Buddhism have lived side by side in Java since a long ago. The conflict between the two religions noted in India has not been played out in Java. In the area of the Buddhist monument Borobudur, (42 km north-west of Jogja), are many Hindu temples. There are also many Buddhist temples around the Hindu Prambanan complex (17 km east Jogja). The inter-religious relationship become close when the two great dynasties, Bud¬dhist Syailendra and Hindu Sanjaya were united by the marriage of Rakai Pikatan of Hindu Mataram and the Buddhist Syailendra princess Pramodha-vardhani in the second half of the 9th century.

Borobudur and The Surrounding Area

Built between 750 AD and 850 AD by the Bud¬dhist Syailendra dynasty. Borobudur is one of the greatest Buddhist relics in South East Asia. The two other great relics are Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Myanmar’s Bagan. Borobudur lay forgotten for centuries, beneath volcanic ash, until it was found in 1815 when Raffles governed Java. Res¬toration projects from the early of 20th century until 1983 have brought Borobudur back to its former glory.

To the east of Borobudur, there are two other temples that were part of the original complex, Pawon and Mendut. Pawon Temple was dedicated to Kuvera, the Buddhist god of fortune. While in Mendut temple, the Buddha sits in a western-style with both feet on the ground, instead of in the usual lotus position. Next to Mendut temple is a Bud¬dhist Monastery. It is less than 10 minutes walk to these temples from Borobudur.

Laying 42 km north-west of Jogja. Borobudur, Pawon and Mendut can be reached in about 1-2 hours by bus from Giwangan. Jogja's main bus terminal the cost is about Rp. 10.000 and also from the smaller bus terminal, Jombor, in Magelang Street. The temple is less than 15 minute's walk from the Borobudur bus terminal. Another option is to visit a travel agent in Prawirotaman or Sosro¬wijayan who can arrange guided tours of Borobudur. The temple site is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00

At the eastern edge of Borobudur, there are many temple ruins that have not been restored. Hindu temples in the area are Gunung Sari, Gunung Wukir and the Sengi complex. Other Buddhist are Ngawen, Asu, Pendem and Lumbung. A very good guidebook about these temples was published by Enrique Indonesia. Written by Rizky Sasono, Jean Pascal Elbaz and Agung Kurniawan. Site Out if Sight (Situs — situs Marjinal), (Sanctuaires Retrouves) is for sale at bookstores and the Centre Cultural Francais de Jogja at Sagan street.