Prambanan Temple

Candi Prambanan is a Hindu Temple compound located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It was built in the 9^th-century and was dedicated to God as Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the Preserver and Shiva, the destroyer. This temple is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple and one of Southeast Asia’s biggest as well. Prominent for its tall and pointy architecture, the temple has a 47-meter-high central building enclosed in a large complex of independent temples.

Originally, the temple compound consisted of 240 individual temples but have since fall apart and only six of the central court remains, lavishly engraved with reliefs. The three main ones are called the Trimurti (three sacred places) which include:

Candi Shiva, dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer, this is the largest of the other temples. It’s the most prominent out of all as it stands 47 meters high. Stunning reliefs of Ramayana are to be found over at the front of the temple. Four chambers lie within the temple and each contains outstanding works of art; statues of Shiva himself, Agastya the sage, his elephant-headed son Ganesh and his wife Durga. Stories tell us that, Durga was a beautiful princess who turned to stone, and what better way to see her than visit Candi Prambanan itself.

Candi Brahma, dedicated to Brahma the Creator, this temple carries on with the stories of Ramayana as seen on its magnificent reliefs, and it even includes the statue of Brahma himself.

Candi Vishnu, devoted to Vishnu the Preserver, this temple communicates the legendary stories of Vishnu’s avatar Krishna through superb reliefs and of course, it also contains the statue of Vishnu himself.

Prambanan Temple is unquestionably the definition of fine Hindu architecture. Its attention to detail in its style and the message or stories it carries is absolutely superb. Through the earthquakes it went through, it’s still resilient to keep standing, and that is exceptional. Prambanan Temple is truly beautiful and what better way to admire it than to visit it. Photographers would genuinely be pleased with however their pictures turn out because no angle would make this temple even slightly less beautiful it is.

A Brief History

Originally, the temple was built with the sole intention of honoring Lord Shiva and its intended name was Shiva-grha (the House of Shiva), with constructions starting as early as 850 CE. One of the people who built the temple was Balitung Maha Sambu, the Sanjaya king of the Mataram Kingdom of the time. By the 10^th century, it was abandoned due to the movement of the Mataram dynasty.

A massive earthquake in the 16^th century left most of temples to crumble down. A surveyor of Sir Stamford Raffles discovered the ruins by 1811 but did not do much about it since the Dutch restored their power over Java. Eventually, reestablishment of the temple began in 1930 and still continues by now.

Tickets and Operating Hours

This temple complex opens daily from 6AM to 6PM. Ticket boxes closes at 17:15. However, it tends to get really hot so it would be best if one gets there early. Entrance tickets cost Rp.40.000 for Indonesians and Rp.162.000 for foreigners. Overseas visitors may also choose to purchase tickets online via kiostix.com. The ticket entitles you to complimentary water. A sarong (cloth) is provided in the entrance. Guides are also available for hire for around Rp.75.000.

Getting There

From Adisutjipto Airport

The Prambanan Temple is just ten kilometers away from the Yogyakarta airport and one can access it by taking a taxi, which should cost around Rp.50.000 and take duration of 20 minutes.  

From the town center

Yogyakarta’s bus service, TransJogja serves a direct route to Prambanan. The bus is equipped with comfortable seats and air-condition. You will have to take the number 1A bus from Malioboro Street and you will then stop at the Prambanan station, this will only cost Rp.3.000 and take duration of approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Taking a taxi from the town center would cost around Rp.60.000. Sometimes drivers would also be willing to wait whilst you visit the site for around an hour and then take you back with the same price, making the total cost Rp.120.000.

Map

For the full map, click here

General Tips

Prambanan Temple is regarded as a religious site. Visitors are suggested to wear clothes that are subtle and not too revealing, but keep you cool at the same time because of the scorching heat from the sun. In addition, you should also use some sunblock to block any harmful sunrays from penetrating through your skin.

Photography Tips

Time:

Since Prambanan is primarily made out of dark colored stones with embellishments on it; it is best that you find the best lighting to highlight these features. Therefore, it would be best to visit during the day when the sun is out and shining, to get the maximum amount of lighting and get a balance between highlight and shadows.

If you wish to visit Prambanan Temple and Ratu Boko Palace during the same time period, it would be best to visit the Prambanan Temple at sometime around 2pm-4pm and Ratu Boko Temple at around 4pm-6pm so that you will get to Ratu Boko temple on time to capture the beautiful sunset.

Equipment:

• Spotlight- Because Prambanan consists of temples with statues in dark chambers in it, therefore it would be best to bring a spotlight to shed light on the statue and get the best capture out of the details of the statues.
• Tripod - A tripod would also be great to bring because you can capture a panoramic view of the whole temple.
• Lens – A wide angled lens would be useful to bring if you want to capture a panoramic view of the temples in Prambanan. As for taking pictures of other features of the temples, a basic 16-35mm lens would be great as well.

Hotels and Lodgings

If you wish to reside in Yogyakarta, there are many hotels available nearby the site. The top 3 most well known ones are:

1. Grand Tjokro Hotel

Address: Jalan Gejayan, Džogjakarta, Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta 40153, Indonesia

Phone Number:+62 274 6429100

E-mail: yogyakarta@grandtjokro.com

Webpage: http://grandtjokro.com/yogyakarta/

2. Eastparc

Address: Jl. Laksda Adisucipto Km.6,5 Seturan, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia

Phone Number: +62 274 4932000

E-mail: info@eastparchotel.com

Webpage: http://www.eastparchotel.com/

3. Hotel New Saphir Yogyakarta

Address: Hotel New Saphir Yogyakarta Jl. Laksda Adisucipto No. 38 Yogyakarta, 55001 Indonesia

Phone Number: +62 274 566222

E-mail: rsv@newsaphirhotel.com

Webpage: http://www.newsaphirhotel.com/

Contact Information

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Prambanan Ratu Boko, Jalan Raya Yogya - Solo Km 16 Prambanan, Yogyakarta 55571, Indonesia, +62 274 496401 (info@borobudurpark.co.id)