Prambanan, Yogyakarta

So! I went to Yogyakarta in 2014, and I’m still writing about it in 2016. That’s the mark of a good trip because it’s stuck in the mind, and not chronicling it would be a self-disservice!

(and that’s how I excuse my procrastination)

First timers to Yogyakarta would do well to pay a visit the famous Prambanan, a collection of ancient Hindu temples now marked as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The most famous three Prambanan temples are also the backdrop to the resplendent Ramayana Ballet, a moving feast for the sight and sound at a price.

If you are unfamiliar with Prambanan and would like to know more about the temples built in the 10th century, the greatness of the Hindu culture and religion, the triumph of good against evil, the murky legends that surround these ancient places, the earthquakes that would destroy or visibly ruin most of the temples in the compound, the various ways of getting to Prambanan itself…. well then, there are many on-line resources you could refer to. This… isn’t one of them.

Instead, you should be expecting more of this:

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Suanie in the park
Ohai.

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Prambranan carving
I be looking atchu

… nah. That’s the end of the fabulous frivolousness… that could be proven by photos anyway.

We had arranged to get to Prambanan in the afternoon so we’d have a couple of hours before the Ramayana ballet. Entrance tickets was Rp198,000 each (approx RM60+).

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - main grounds

It was hot. There were temples of ancient Asian heritage. I’m Asian living in Asia. We have seen, and will continue to see a lot of temples. You’ve been to one temple, you’ve been to most of them.

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Prambanan compound

Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely to explore the temple grounds. The compound was rather well-restored, which contributed to the feeling of modernity as I did. I suppose I would have enjoyed it more if I knew the stories carved into the temple walls.

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - carvings

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - shadows

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - around Candi Prambanan

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - up the old stairs
I ain’t climbing that, girl

There were many Hindu temples around the Prambanan complex. There was a sole Buddhist temple, Candi Sewu north of the main Prambanan temples. Wikipedia says that Sewu temple is the second largest Buddhist temple complex in Indonesia after Borobudur. Well, what do you say to that?

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Sewu sign

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Sewu entrance

I’ll tell you this though: I felt something at Candi Sewu. Nah, not something spooky, frightful nor terribly bad.

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Sewu headless statue

Walking among the ruins in Candi Sewu, I felt peace, like it was home, as if I’d been here before, that I’d lived here before.

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Sewu

It wasn’t exactly deja vu, more like I know I would be safe there, that nothing could hurt me.

Prambanan, Yogyakarta - Candi Sewu central temple

What do you make of it eh! Suanie of many lives.

Follow the entire Yogyakarta trip here: Yogyakarta 2014

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Comments

  1. Maybe that’s the mark of a dyed-in-the-wool Buddhist? Heh..

  2. This is quite a cinematic entry… you made me wait two years for the concluding part to be released 🙂

  3. ermm.. headless buddha, slightly disturbing to see if it’s dead in the night I think.
    KY recently posted..KY eats – 2016 Chinese New Year Menu at Tao Chinese Cuisine, Intercontinental KLMy Profile

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  1. […] was a lovely visit, though I did not get the ‘feeling’ as I did at Candi Sewu. But it was not my intention to go to Yogyakarta for a spiritual awakening, so that was […]

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