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Set in the lush valley at the confluence of the Progo and Elo Rivers in the geographic center of the island of Java, Borobudur was built by the Sailendra Dynasty at the height of its military and political power. Construction lasted from the end of the 8C to the middle of the 9C. The monument consists of a 9-tiered "mountain" rising to a height of 34.5m (roughly 120 ft), complete with nearly 5km (3 mi) of exquisitely carved stone reliefs depicting the life of Buddha. It is intended to be a replica of the cosmic Mount Meru of the creation myth. Borobudur was abandoned sometime after the center of power shifted to east Java in the late 10C.
The first set of photos illustrates a clockwise motion around the monument, in accordance with uddhist precepts, while the last two photos are of Candi Mendut. The latter was built by King Indra around the year 800, and is roughly 1km distant from Borobudur. It may have been used as a way station for pilgrims, or as a crematorium.
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Borobudur is located 40km northwest of Yogyakarta in the central part of the island of Java. Map courtesy of Mapquest. |
