Prambanan

A magnificent temple complex dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses

Known for its grandeur and magnificent architecture, Prambanan is a massive Hindu temple complex (also known as Rara Jonggrang complex) situated 11 miles northeast of Yogyakarta in Indonesia. Built around 900 CE by the rulers of the Sanjaya dynasty who ruled the Mataram Kingdom of Java, this complex contains multiple temples dedicated to the gods, goddesses, and rishis (sages) of Hindu mythology.

According to an inscription found in Java, King Rakai Pikatan started the construction around 850 CE with a small set of temples. His successors, especially Lokapala and Balitung Maha Sambu, later built most of the temples that we now see in this complex. Many kings who came after them also made minor contributions. Eventually, there were a total of 224 temples in the complex. Not all of them have been restored.

The six main temples in this complex are dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti (Trinity) Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma and their respective vahanas (vehicles) Nandi, Garuda and Angsa (Hamsa or Swan). The other temples include temples for the Goddess Saraswati and Rishi Agastya.

Borobudur, which is the other world-famous site in the Yogyakarta area, is located about 50 miles from Prambanan and was built about 50 years before Prambanan. The rulers of the Sanjaya dynasty, who were Shaivaits (followers of Shiva), were competing with the Buddhist Shylendra dynasty, the builder of Borobudur. Both the Prambanan and Borobudur temples were declared world heritage sites by UNESCO.

Each temple in the Prambanan complex has a garbhagriha (inner sanctum) where the main statue of the temple is housed. It is on an elevated platform and visitors approach it through a staircase. Enclosing the inner sanctum is a square-shaped corridor with balustrades carved with bas-reliefs depicting stories from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Prambanan temple complex

Shiva Temple

This temple is dedicated to Shiva the destroyer, one of the Hindu Trinity. Because the rulers who commissioned the Prambanan temples were worshipers of Shiva, the Shiva Temple became the main temple of the complex.

The Dutch restored the temple the first time in the early 1900s. It is 47 meters high and the tallest temple in the complex.

The inner sanctum has four cellas (chambers), each of which faces a cardinal direction and houses a statue. The statue of Shiva is in the east-facing cella. The other three statues are, Goddess Durga as Mahisasuramardini is the north-facing cella, Shiva’s son Ganesha in the west-facing cella and Agastya in the south-facing cella.

At the entrance, it also houses the statues of Mahakala and Nandishwara considered as the guardians. The bas-reliefs in this temple depict stories from Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics.

Check the Prambanan Bas-Reliefs page for a detailed explanation of some of the interesting bas-reliefs in Prambanan.

East facing chamber – Shiva

Statue of Shiva standing inside the Shiva Temple in Prambanan — Shiva

Unlike a typical Shiva temple in India, there is no Shiva Linga in this temple. Instead, the statue of Shiva stands on top of a square platform that has a small canal on the right. The square platform represents yoni (symbolizes the womb of Shiva’s wife). Shiva stands on a round pedestal carved with petals of the lotus flower on the outside. The lotus pedestal is mounted within the square space of the yoni.

Some experts believe that the statue of Shiva resembles King Balitung Maha Sambu. It was likely built after his death to show that he was the reincarnation of Shiva.

Here are some of the depictions of Shiva in Southeast Asia and India:

Shiva Tandava Nritya – Shiva’s cosmic dance – on a facade of the gopura in the Banteay Srei Temple in Cambodia
Bhairava – An Incarnation of Shiva on the outer wall of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple Karnataka, India
Shiva with his vehicle Nandi – Sculpture installed in a niche in the Aihole Durga Temple, Karnataka, India

North facing chamber – Durga as Mahishasuramardini

Statue of Siva's wife Durga the Mahishasuramardini — Durga as Mahishasuramardini

The narrative statue shown in the image depicts Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura, an evil demon who took the form of a buffalo. This feat was responsible for her title, Mahishasuramardini, which is a combination of three Sanskrit words: mahisha (buffalo), asura (demon), and mardini (slayer). The slaying of Mahishasura is all about the triumph of good over evil and is based on an episode narrated in Devi Mahatmya, a part of Markandeya Purana. Created by combining energies from Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, and other gods, Durga is a Hindu goddess of war who fights evil forces. She has ten arms, each holding different weapons/objects given to her by various gods.

Goddess Durga is widely worshiped in India and Southeast Asia. Check the other Durga as Mahishasuramardini pages:
– Durga as Mahishasuramardini (Slayer of Mahishasura) on the outer wall of the Somanathapura Keshava Temple
– Durga as Mahishasuramardini on the outer wall of the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu in Karnataka, India
– Durga as Mahishasuramardini (Slayer of Mahishasura) installed in a devakoshta of the Durga Temple in Aihole, Karnataka, India

West facing chamber – Ganesha

Statue of Ganesha in the Shiva Temple — Ganesha

The statue of Ganesha, one of the sons of Shiva, is in the west-facing chamber. With the elephant head and human body, Ganesha is a unique Hindu god widely worshiped in India and Southeast Asia.

South facing chamber – Agastya

Statue of Agastya in the Shiva Temple — Agastya

The statue of Agastya, one of the most revered rishis (sages) in Hinduism, stands in the south-facing chamber of the inner sanctum of the Shiva Temple. Agastya is portrayed as a stocky man with a long beard. On his left hand, he holds a kamandala, a water pot typically held by ascetics in Hinduism. On his right hand, which is folded across his chest, he holds the beads of a japamala (prayer beads). As with many other statues in Prambanan, the Agastya statue stands on a round pedestal carved on the outside with the petals of the lotus flower. An upright trishula (trident) stands on the right side of the statue.

Agastya is revered and worshiped in South India. Check these pages: Legend of Badami and Agastya Lake. His name appears in all the four Vedas, many Puranas, and Ramayana and Mahabharata. He also authored some hymns in Rigveda, one of the four Vedas.

Brahma Temple

Statue of Brahma with four heads — Brahma

Even though Brahma is the creator and one of the Hindu Trinities in Hindu mythology, he is not worshiped like Shiva and Vishnu. Therefore, there are very few temples dedicated to him in the Indian Subcontinent as well as in Southeast Asia. The Brahma Temple in Prambanan is one of the prominent temples among them. The other well-known Brahma Temple is in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The Belur Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka, India, has a beautiful relief depicting Brahma.

There are several legends as to why Brahma is not worshiped. According to one legend, his consort Savitri, who was angered by Brahma’s extreme lust, cursed him not to be worshiped anywhere in the world except in Pushkar. In another legend, Shiva cursed Brahma because he lied to him and Vishnu about their creation.

The statue of Brahma as shown in the image stands in the inner chamber of this temple. The four faces symbolize the four cardinal directions and four Vedas.

Brahma had five heads in the beginning with the fifth one gazing upwards. According to one legend, Shiva cut off the fifth head when he realized Brahma became infatuated with a female goddess he created.

Vishnu Temple

This temple is dedicated to Vishnu the protector. The bas-reliefs in this temple depict stories from Krishnayana. Note that Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Check the Dashavatara page for a list and description of the ten standard avatars of Vishnu.

As you cas see from the image, Vishnu has four arms, two of which are raised up and the other two are down. This is how Vishnu is typically portrayed in Hindu temples in India and Southeast Asia. Here are his signature objects carried by his four hands:

Shanka : Upper left hand – It is a conch shell named Panchajanya that emerged as a by-product during the Samudra Manthana. It was responsible for the creation of the panchabhootas (five elements), which are: water, fire, earth, and sky. When blown, it produces a giant primeval sound.
Sudarshana Chakra: Upper right hand – It is a disc-like weapon with serrated edges. When fired, it spins and moves with a rapid force to destroy evil and then returns to Vishnu.
Padma: Lower left hand – It is a sacred lotus flower that represents beauty, purity, and evolution
Gadaa: Lower right hand – It is a mace named Kaumodaki and represents strength

The order in which Vishnu holds his objects vary. With four hands, there are a total of 24 combinations, and sometimes a combination indicates a particular form of Vishnu.

Just like many other statues in Prambanan, Vishnu is standing on a lotus flower pedestal mounted on a square-shaped yoni.

Wahana temples

Each of the Trimurti temples has a wahana temple in front of them.

Nandi Temple

The temple for Shiva’s vehicle Nandi is in front of the Shiva Temple. In the inner chamber of this temple, the statue of Nandi is in the middle, and the statues of Dewa Surya (Sun God) and Dewa Chandra (Moon God) are on the left and right sides of Nandi respectively. These three statues symbolize the constant watch of Shiva by his vehicle Nandi and the celestial objects, Sun and Moon.

Statue of Nandi the Bull in the inner chamber of the Nandi Temple at Prambanan in Yogyakarta, Indonesia — Dewa Surya

Statues inside the Nandi Temple

Angsa Temple

Angsa (Hamsa) is Brahma’s vehicle and represented as a sacred swan. There is no main statue in this temple. It is not known whether the statue existed in the original building.

Garuda Temple

Garuda is Vishnu’s vehicle and is an eagle. Just like the Angsa Temple, there is no main statue in this temple.

Bali

Exotic Bali

The island paradise of Bali is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southeast Asia. Bali is famous for its natural beauty, exotic culture, and most importantly for its wonderful people. It has beautiful beaches, luscious greenery, volcanic mountains, and lakes.

Bali’s unique heritage and culture were influenced by Hinduism from India. Bali’s landscape is dotted all over the island with Hindu temples called puras. The architecture and styles of these temples are unique to Bali.

Location

Bali is part of the Indonesian archipelago and its eastern tip is located a couple of miles west of Java, another famous island in Indonesia.

History

When Hinduism came to Bali more than 2000 years ago, the Balinese created their own brand of Hinduism by blending it with the practices and rites of their animist past. They continue to practice their brand of Hinduism until the Majapahit Empire from the neighboring island of Java defeated the King of Bali. The Balinese people then gradually started to adopt the culture of the Javanese Hindus.

When the neighboring island of Java was overwhelmed by the religion of Islam in the 14 century, the defeated Majapahit Empire took the last stand in Bali. The nobility from the Majapahit Empire sought refuge in Bali bringing with them a rich culture of arts, dances and their form of Hinduism.

Bali remained independent with several kingdoms until the Dutch started colonizing them in 1840. Just like the British in India, Dutch employed the Divide and Rule tactics to pit one kingdom against another and eventually took control of most of Bali. The fiercely independent Balinese people fought against the Dutch to gain independence.

During World War II, Imperial Japan occupied Bali in 1942. The Balinese people then started fighting against the Japanese. Gusti Ngurah Rai was the leader of the rebellion. After the Japanese surrender, the Dutch returned to Bali. With Gusti Ngurah Rai as their leader, Balinese once again rebelled against them using the arms left by the Japanese army. Once Indonesia gained independence, Bali became a province of Indonesia in 1949. The international airport in Bali is named after Gusti Ngurah Rai.

Religion and Culture

A vast majority of Balinese people practice Hinduism. They follow Aagama Hindu Dharma (Aagama means traditional in Sanskrit), which came to Bali from the neighboring island of Java, and is a blend of Shaivaism, Buddhism and indigenous beliefs. They believe in one supreme God (Brahman), the immortal individual soul (Atma), and the pillars of the Hindu faith Dharma, Karma, Samsara and Moksha. The Balinese society follows an occupation-based social class system similar to Hindu varnashrama with the following four varnas: Brahmanas (priests), Satrias (kings and warriors), Wesias (nobility and traders) and Sundras (farmers).

There are many differences between the Hinduism practiced in India and Bali. Unlike in most Indian temples, temples in Bali have women poojaris (priestesses). Even though the Balinese follow a stringent form of Hinduism, they are not vegetarian and do not consider cow is sacred. In fact, they eat beef. Balinese women wear bindis (dots on the forehead) made of rice.

Even though Bali belongs to the Muslim majority country Indonesia, they practice their religion freely. There is no persecution of Balinese Hindus. In fact, there are few Muslims in Bali. This is true for Christianity as well. Despite Bali being a Dutch colony, there are not many Christians there either.

Balinese Dances

Balinese dances provide a glimpse of the cultural traditions of Bali. The inspiration for Balinese dances comes from nature, religion, and lifestyle of the Balinese people. The dance form is ritualistic and very expressive, and the dancers use hand gestures similar to the mudras performed in dances in India. The dance dramas are typically based on stories from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Some of the Balinese dance traditions predate Hindu influence. The current Balinese dance form is a fusion between indigenous Bali and Indian dances. The mythological characters Barong (lion-like creature) and Rangda (demon queen) were inherited from the culture existed in Bali before Hinduism. They are inter-mingled in Ramayana and Mahabharata stories to represent the good and evil forces.

The pictures below show a dance drama performed by the Raja Peni Troupe in Ubud.

A scene from the Mahabharata story

Balinese dance using Barong mask

A scene from the Balinese dance drama performed by the Raja Peni Troupe in Ubud, Bali

Balinese welcome dance

Balinese dances

Balinese New Year

The Balinese new year celebration is spread over six days. The actual new year starts on the third day of this celebration and is called Nyepi, which is an important date in Bali and to some extent in Indonesia.

Nyepi is celebrated on the same day as Yugadi (beginning of a new era) in India. Because the date of this festival is calculated based on a lunar calendar, it is different each year. Unlike Yugadi, Nyepi, which means silence in the Balinese language, is celebrated as a day of silence. On that day, the Balinese do not engage in any physical activity, including speech, and practice abstinence. The entire population of Bali stays indoors, and so do tourists. Unlike the other new year celebrations all over the world, tourists are confined to their hotels during this period. Airports and other transportation services are closed for 24 hours.

During the Balinese new year celebrations, people cleanse themselves spiritually and ask forgiveness from each other. Nyepi is another great example of how the Balinese adapted their indigenous traditions to blend with the Hindu traditions.

Besakih Temple (Pura Besakih)

Known as the Mother Temple, Besakih is the holiest place in Bali for the Balinese Hindus. It is a complex of several Hindu shrines dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, the Hindu Trinity. Located 30 miles northeast of Ubud, the Besakih Temple complex was built on the slopes of Mount Agung, which is an active volcano.

The name Besakih is derived from the Sanskrit word Vasuki, who in the Hindi mythology is a nagaraja (king of serpents). Vasuki is the serpent used in Samudra Manthana, a story of about churning of the Ocean of Milk. According to a legend in Bali, Mount Agung became Vasuki ‘s home after Samudra Manthana.

Besakih was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995 because of its importance to the Balinese people and to the world. Although Besakih was built more than 1000 years ago, the temples are actively used by the Balinese Hindus, who come here from all over the island to participate in various festivals and private temple ceremonies. Some temples inside this complex are closed to outsiders.

Main entrance to Besakih Temple

Courtyard of a temple in Besakih

Inner sanctum of a temple in Besakih

Pagodas of Besakih Temple in Bali

Devotees carryoing offering entering Besakih Temple in Bali, Indonesia

Devotees entering Besakih Temple with offerings

Visting Besakih

To enter the Besakih complex, you need to wear a Sarong, which is a piece of clothing wrapped around your waist, to cover your legs. Sarong must be worn regardless of your gender. Sarongs come in a variety of colors and with beautiful designs, and you can buy or rent them outside the temple complex.

Besaki looks like a stepped pyramid because the temple structures are built on the terraces of the mountain slope. As you enter, the steps built on the left side of the temple lead you to the courtyards of the temples. Not all the temples are open to the public. As you climb these steps, you can view and enjoy the stunning scenery around you.

Uluwatu Temple

The Uluwatu Temple is located on the south-western tip of Bali. It is a small temple dedicated to Rudra and was built on a huge limestone cliff. At the entrance of this temple, there are two pathways – one to the left and other to the right of the temple – built on top of the bluff that follows the shoreline. Visitors walk on these pathways to view the spectacular scenery.

A view of the Uluwatu cliff from the right pathway

Temple dedicated to Rudra on the Uluwatu cliff in Bali, Indonesia

A view of the Uluwatu cliff from the left pathway

Uluwatu Temple

Tanah Lot Temple

The Tanah Lot Temple is an iconic landmark of Bali. It is built on a rock formation on the western Bali seashore. The scenery surrounding the temple is spectacular as waves after waves keep pounding the rock formations. There are a few other rock formations nearby and the area behind the temple is lush green.

This temple was built in the 15th century by a Hindu priest who came to Bali from the Majapahit Kingdom of Eastern Java to spread Hinduism. The temple is dedicated to Dewa Baruna (Varuna of Hindu mythology?).

Scenic surroundings near the Tanah Lot Temple in Bali, Indonesia

Scenic area near the Tanah Lot Temple in Bali, Indonesia

Rock formations near the Tanah Lot Temple in Bali, Indonesia

Tanah Lot Temple rock

Tanah Lot Temple on the western seashore of Bali, Indonesia

Taman Ayun Temple (Pura Taman Ayun)

Dedicated to avatars of Vishnu, Taman Ayun is a beautiful temple complex located 11 miles northwest of Denpasar and 5 miles southeast of Ubud in the village of Mengwi. Because it is located in Mengwi, Taman Ayun is also known as Mengwi Temple. It was built in 1634 by the Raja of Mengwi, Tjokerda Sakti Blambangan, and was restored in 1937.

The architecture is a blend of Cambodian and Bali styles. Unlike the other temples of Bali, this temple has a wide prakara (compound surrounding the temple) and a moat. It has four concentric enclosures with inner ones at a higher level than the outer ones. With beautifully decorated gopuras and shrines, the similarities with the Banteay Srei Temple in Cambodia is striking.

Inner sanctum of a temple in the Taman Ayun Temple complex

Vishnu sculpture in Taman Ayun Temple in Bali, Indonesia

Vishnu sculpture in the Taman Ayun Temple

Garuda Carrying Vishnu - A sculpture standing in the Taman Ayun Temple complex located in Bali, Indonesia

Garuda Carrying Vishnu – A beautifully carved sculpture standing inside the Taman Ayun Temple

Moat surrounding the Taman Ayun Temple in Bali, Indonesia

Taman Ayun Temple

Rice Terraces

Rice terraces are part of the scenery in Bali. The mountainous terrain of Bali makes it difficult to cultivate rice which is typically grown on a flatter landscape. To overcome this problem, the Balinese people developed an ingenious irrigation system known as Subak, which is a cooperative water management system that connects canals, tunnels, and weirs and is shared and controlled by the community. Subak is hailed as one of the most efficient and ecologically sustainable irrigation systems in the world.

Rice Terraces in Tegallalang near Ubud

Rice Terraces inTegallalang near Ubud

Rice Terraces

Kintamani

Kintamani is a scenic area in the north-eastern Bali where Mount Batur and Lake Batur are located. This area is still part of an active volcano and is full of black lava rocks.

Mount Batur

Mt. Batur that we see today was formed during the volcanic eruption in 1917. It erupted three more times after that. The last one occurred in 1994 creating many sub-craters.

Mount Batur in Bali, Indonesia

Mount Batur

Lake Batur

Located 19 miles northeast of Ubud, Lake Batur is a freshwater lake formed by the volcanic crater. The images show the lake surrounded by the slopes on the crater rim. The spectacular landscape and greenery attract a lot of tourists to this region, which is also home to many hot water springs.

Lake Batur in Bali, Indonesia

A view of Lake Batur

Lake Batur

With a surface area of 4000 acres, this crescent-shaped lake is the biggest lake in Bali. The maximum length, breadth, and depth are 1.7 mil, 4.7 mil, and 290 ft. It is located about 3300 ft above sea level. The inflow is mainly the rainwater.

The indigenous people of Bali known as Bali Aga live in the villages that lie along the shores of Lake Batur. They practice ancient traditions and rites that existed before the Javanese Hindu culture arrived in Bali. They earn their lively hood by growing tomatoes and garlic.

Rural Bali

Bali in rural areas is known for its natural beauty and tranquility. There is greenery everywhere with paddy fields, palm trees and a variety of fruit-bearing trees. Most Balinese people live in villages away from the tourist areas and lead a traditional life by engaging in farming.

A typical farm rural in Bali

Pile of Jackfruits in Bali

Rural Bali

Prambanan, Borobudur, Indonesia

Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Cambodia

Category: Hindu Temple

Prambanan

A magnificent temple complex dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses