6 Interesting Facts Borobudur Temple, Numbers 5 And 6 Many Who Do Not Expect

Borobudur is the name of a Buddhist temple located in the village and sub-district of the same name. Namely Borobudur Village, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. 

According to history, Borobudur Temple was built in the 8th to 9th centuries, during the Ancient Mataram Syailendra Dynasty. Where the construction period took decades.

Borobudur Temple is located surrounded by various mountains, such as Merapi-Merbabu, Sumbing-Sindoro, and Menoreh Mountains. And flanked by 2 rivers, namely the Progo River and the Elo River.

Borobudur Temple is composed of square Andesite Stone with a structure like a punden terrace, which is getting smaller and smaller with 4 stairs to the north, south, west, and east.

The way the stones are arranged does not use temporary adhesives or the like, but with a connection system. so that the modern picture is likened to a lego game.

Its height reaches approximately 35 meters, and contains 3 vertical levels which are philosophically according to Buddhist teachings. First Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, and the highest Arupadhatu.

Here are some interesting facts about Borobudur temple: 

1. Origin of Borobudur Name Unknown

The name Borobudur is still a source of difference for experts. Because, among the many experts, many are opposed to opinions. For example comes from the word Bhumisambarabudhara and the combined word Boro & Budur. 

2. Thomas Stamford Raffles Becomes The Figure Who Initiated Temple Research

In 1813, Thomas was informed by the Regent of Yogyakarta whose real name is Tan Jin Sing, if there is an arrangement of pictorial stones in the area that was then named Bumisegoro Village. 

Long story short, in 1814 Tan Jin Sing along with archaeologists and some friends on thomas's orders, went to Bumisegoro to conduct research on the temple. 

3. Become the Largest and Most Complete Buddhist Temple in the World

Borobudur is not just any temple, because the size of Borobudur itself is very large. According to the data, the area of Borobudur Temple is about 123 m x 123 m. It has 2,672 relief panels as well as 504 Buddha statues. Therefore, by experts Borobudur Temple is called as the largest Buddhist temple with the most complete relief in the world. 

4. Ever Entered in the 7 Wonders of the World

Borobudur temple is not currently included in the list of 7 Wonders of the UNESCO World. However, it turns out that Borobudur Temple according to the Unesco.org page, has been included in this list in 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009.

5. It Turns Out That Borobudur Temple Was Built On The Hill

Illustration of The Shape of Borobudur Temple / via twitter

Many think that the borobudur temple building from top to bottom, until deep is all rocks. However, the fact is Borobudur Temple is a temple that was established on a hill as high as approximately 265 meters. So Borobudur Temple is likened to a shell of the hill. 

6. There Is A Study If Borobudur Temple Was Once In The Middle Of The Lake

According to a historical study, it turns out that the Borobudur Temple area was once a lake. Ir. Helmy Murwanto even said that at the time of the construction of Borobudur Temple, the lake still existed. It eventually turned into land around the 13th century.

Not only there, the names of villages around Borobudur Temple are also quite indicative of this. Like Bumisegoro Village, Tuk Songo and so on. From this we can imagine, if Borobudur Temple is like a Lotus that grows beautiful blooms above the waters. 

Reference: wikipedia | Historia | Kemdikbud | | sound and others