Architecture of Borobudur
Welcome to Chandi Borobudur, one of the sacred buildings of Buddhism as a cultural heritage site. The splendor and beauty of Borobudur has its own historical value for Indonesian people. The Indonesian government has designated Chandi Borobudur as a major tourist attraction, and also a priority tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors. Borobudur attracts extraordinary enthusiasm to visit and explore several narrative sources in thematic tours, with the aim of getting to know more closely the history, architecture and fine arts of this building.
Chandi Borobudur attracts enthusiasm for traveling and visiting on thematic tours, which aim to get to know and study the historical narrative and architecture of this monument more closely. The Indonesian government has designated Chandi Borobudur as a cultural heritage that has a tourist attraction, and has become a priority tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors.
A friendly tour guide, known as a Pamong Carita, will accompany you on this engaging experience. They will provide narration and insights, acknowledging your interest in learning about—and participating in—the preservation and protection of the cultural heritage. This tour offers an opportunity to get to know Borobudur more intimately, learn about its history, and admire the grandeur and artistic beauty of its architecture. Exploring the history and surroundings of Borobudur is a way to appreciate this cultural heritage site and participate in efforts to preserve it.
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View of Menoreh hill from terrace of stupa. Gunadharma's legend is more about the story of the architect of Borobudur. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Design and Architecture of Borobudur
Borobudur as a sacred building is the largest Buddhist temple in the world in Indonesia. Many historians have put forward theories about the beginnings of the history of ancient Javanese cultural civilization and the beginning of the construction of Borobudur, especially during the Hindu and Buddhist eras. Indian culture which entered Indonesia had a considerable influence on religious life and was the background to the existence of the ruling kingdoms on the island of Java at that time.
History states that Chandi Borobudur is located right on a hill and was built in the middle of several mountains and hills. Looking to the west, there are Mount Sundoro and Sumbing. To the east are Mount Merbabu and Merapi. Looking to the north, approximately 15 kilometers from Borobudur is the Tidar hill, and to the south it is bordered by the Menoreh hills. Borobudur is located at the confluence of two rivers, namely Progo and Elo.
The Mahayana Buddhist temple, built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty. The magnificent building is designed with Javanese Buddhist architecture, which combines native Indonesian culture, namely ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of achieving Nirvana. The monument consists of six square terraces and three circular platform, and there is the largest main stupa in the center, which is surrounded by 72 perforated stupas, and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.
Borobudur is a model of the universe and was built as a holy place to glorify Buddha as well as functioning as a place of pilgrimage to guide humanity from the realm of worldly desires to enlightenment and highest wisdom in accordance with Buddhist teachings.
The magnificence of Borobudur is evident in its unique and beautiful design. Beyond its status as a historic structure and a globally recognized cultural heritage site, the temple holds many fascinating facts worth exploring—particularly regarding its unique architecture. Historians and archaeologists note that Borobudur differs from all other temples discovered in Java. The construction of the monument typically involved compacting the soil at the site to create a foundation, thereby forming a spacious platform.
The following is key information about Borobudur, particularly regarding its architectural art and design, as well as the planning and construction of the monument.
Basic Design - A Stepped Pyramid
The architecture of Borobudur is a masterpiece of Indonesian Buddhist art, an example of the pinnacle of achieving harmony between architectural techniques and aesthetics of Buddhist art in Java. The architecture blends the Buddhist mandala concept from India with prehistoric stepped pyramids. The structure is divided into three vertical zones—Kamadhatu (the realm of desire), Rupadhatu (the realm of forms), and Arupadhatu (the formless realm)—creating a replica of the cosmos crowned by a great stupa.
The Gunadharma legend is a folk tale about the Menoreh hills which are very similar in shape and resemble the body of a person lying down. This local fairy tale tells that Gunadharma's body turned into the Menoreh hills.
Borobudur features a square layout for the bottom six terraces and a circular layout for the top three. The temple was constructed using approximately two million andesite stone blocks.
The design of Borobudur uses tala measuring units, namely the length of the human face between the end of the hairline on the forehead to the tip of the chin, or the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the palm is fully extended. This unit is relative and varies slightly between individuals, but this unit remains in this monument.
Research in 1977 explained the 4:6:9 ratio found in this monument. Architects use this formula to determine the exact dimensions of a fractal geometric recurrence that is self-similar in the Borobudur design. This mathematical ratio is also found in the design of the nearby Mendut and Pawon temples. Archaeologists believe that the 4:6:9 ratio and tala units have a function and meaning in calendar, astronomy and cosmology. The same thing applies to the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.
The building structure can be divided into three parts: base (legs), body, and top. The base measures 123×123 m (403.5×403.5 ft) with a height of 4 meters (13 ft). The body of the temple consists of five square terraces that get smaller at the top. The first terrace is set back 7 meters (23 ft) from the end of the terrace base. Each subsequent terrace is set back 2 meters (6.6 ft), leaving a narrow passage at each level.
The upper part consists of three circular terraces, each level supporting a row of interlocked stupas arranged concentrically. There is the largest main stupa in the center; with shoots reaching a height of 35 meters (115 ft) from the ground. The original height of Borobudur, including the chattra (three-tiered umbrella) which is now removed, was 42 meters (138 ft).
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Three-part structure The three-part structure explains the base (foot), body, and top of Borobudur. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
The Kala-Makara motif is commonly found in the architecture of temple doors in Java. The main door is located on the east side, and is also the starting point for reading the relief story. This straight staircase continues to connect with stairs on the hillside which connects the temple to the surrounding plains. The stairs are located in the middle of the four cardinal sides which take visitors to the top of the monument through a series of arched gates guarded by 32 lion statues. The gate gate is decorated with Kala carvings on the top of the center of the door and makara carvings protruding on both sides.
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Kala-Makara One of the Borobudur Stairs that climbs through the gate is shaped like a Borobudur Kala-Makara carving. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Chandi Borobudur consists of six square terraces topped with three circular courtyards, the walls are decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally there were 504 Buddha statues. The largest main stupa is located in the center and crowns this building, surrounded by three circular rows of 72 perforated stupas in which there is a statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in a perfect lotus position with the Dharmachakra mudra (turning the wheel of dharma).
Construction Technique
The stones are precisely assembled without cement or modern adhesives, utilizing instead an interlocking system and earthquake-resistant corner locks.
Chandi Borobudur has a different design from temple buildings in general, this building was not built on flat ground, with a horizontal base, and has a space inside for the coronation of statues. Borobudur is a stepped pyramid building, consisting of nine stacked terraces, and crowned with a large bell-shaped stupa.
Archaeological excavations at Borobudur during the reconstruction period show that adherents of Hinduism or pre-Indian beliefs had begun building large buildings on Borobudur's hill before the site was taken over by Buddhists. The foundations are unlike those of Hindu or Buddhist shrines, and therefore, the original structure is considered more authentically Javanese than Hindu or Buddhist.
Mentioning about the name of Barabudur or Borobudur, and briefly explaining the development theory of Chandi Borobudur put forward by Dumarcay is as follows;
First Stage
It is not known exactly when Borobudur was built, it is estimated to be around the 780th century AD. In the first stage it was a three-story small terrace structure built on top of another structure, which was then unstable and damaged. This structure indicates a pyramid shape.
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Stage I Design of the first phase. Illustration of the cross-sectional shape of Borobudur's initial design. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Borobudur was built on a natural hill, the top of the hill was leveled and the flat courtyard was expanded. In fact, this building is not entirely made of andesite stone, on the hill the soil is compacted and then covered with a stone structure so that it resembles a shell that encloses the earthen hill. The rest of the hill is covered with stone structures layer by layer.
Initially a multi-story layout was built. It appears to have been designed as a stepped pyramid, but was later changed. As evidence there is a layout that was dismantled. The first three steps were built which closed the original structure of the stepped pyramid.
Second Stage
The addition of two square steps, a balustrade and one circular step, on top of which a very large single stupa was directly built.
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Stage II Design of the second stage. Illustration of the cross-sectional design of the second stage of Borobudur. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
There is an expansion of the foundations of Borobudur Temple and the addition of several terraces which are getting smaller. At this stage a large stupa was built whose top was surrounded by a circular fence.
Third Stage
Changes at the top become three circular terraces containing terrace stupas and a main stupa on the top terrace.
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Stage III Design of the third stage. Illustration of the cross-sectional design of the second and third stages of Borobudur. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
There was a change in design, the upper steps of the circle with the single large main stupa were dismantled and replaced by three circular steps. Smaller stupas were built in a circular row on this terraced platform with a large main stupa in the middle. For some reason the foundation was widened, an additional leg was built which encloses the original leg and covers the Karmawibhangga relief.
Archaeologists suspect that Borobudur was originally designed as a single, very large stupa crowning a square terrace. However, this large stupa was too heavy, causing the building structure to tilt outward. It is important to remember that the core of Borobudur is just a hill of land so that the pressure at the top will be distributed to the outside of the bottom so that Borobudur is threatened with landslides and collapse. That's why it was decided to dismantle the large single main stupa and replace it with circular terraces decorated with rows of small stupas with interlocks and only one main stupa.
To support the temple walls from collapsing, an additional leg structure was added that wraps around the original leg. This structure is a reinforcement and functions like a belt that ties it together so that the body of the temple does not collapse and fall out, as well as hiding the Karmawibhangga relief on the Kamadhatu section.
Fourth and Fifth Stages
There are small changes such as improvements to the reliefs, addition of the outermost balustrade, changes to the stairs and arch over the door gate, as well as widening the toe.
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Stages IV and V Design of the fourth and fifth phases. Illustration of the cross-sectional shape of Borobudur's final design. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
There were slight changes to the temple building, including additions and changes to new reliefs and to the aisles and balustrades. However, the symbols in the temple building have not changed.
Chandi Borobudur was built on a natural hill whose long ridge was leveled and turned into a plateau. The main part of the plateau is the location of the monument. The wall at the top of this hill is still intact. The plain to the north - west of the hill became the location of the monastery.
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Chandi Borobudur View of the hill, located on a natural hill that was leveled and transformed into a plateau that became the location of the monastery. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
The Borobudur plateau is several meters higher than the surrounding plains, the hilltops towering highest above the plateau. It is located on a built hill. The height of the hilltop is not enough to form the core of the structure. Building techniques used in the construction of the Borobudur temple in stone. The material is not collected from the mine, but taken from a neighboring river. There are around 55,000 cubic meters of andesite stone transported from stone quarries and inlays to build this monument. The stones are shaped and cut to size, transported to the site, and placed without mortar.
The Borobudur structure does not use cement at all, but instead has an interlock system, which is like Lego blocks that can stick together without adhesive. These stones are held together with precise ridges and holes that fit each other, as well as a "dove tail" shape that locks the two blocks of stone together. The reliefs were created on site after the building structure and walls were completed.
This monument is equipped with a drainage system for areas with high rainfall. To prevent puddles and flooding, 100 showers are installed in every corner, each with a design in the shape of a giant kala or makara head. The stones are made to be gripped using dovetails on the horizontal joints, and grooves on the vertical joints. The use of a knob on one side of the stone that is inserted into a corresponding hole on the next side is common. This arrangement provides a certain flexibility, so that the monument stands with light movements without experiencing danger of collapse. When the building was completed, carvings and other decorations were added. Usually starts from the top, but can also be added simultaneously in several parts.
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The wall of reliefs story One of the corridors and gallery walls is carved with reliefs on the walls and balustrades. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Spiritual Levels
Kamadhatu: The temple base, symbolizing the human world still bound by desire. Rupadhatu: Five square-shaped terraces featuring gallery corridors adorned with thousands of relief panels and 432 Buddha statues. Arupadhatu: Three circular terraces at the summit, devoid of relief ornamentation; here, 72 perforated stupas each house a Buddha statue.
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| The basic plan of Borobudur In the form of a Mandala, is a symbol of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Borobudur is very different from other temple designs, this temple was not built on a flat surface, but on a natural hill. The construction technique is similar to other temples in Java. Borobudur does not have worship rooms like other temples.
Chandi Borobudur was built in the form of a single large stupa, when viewed from above it takes the form of a Tantric Buddhist Mandala which also symbolizes Buddha's cosmology and inner nature. The design of Borobudur is in the form of a stepped pyramid. In the past, the prehistoric Austronesian megalithic culture that developed in Indonesia was built in several forms such as earthen mounds and stepped pyramid structures made of stone called "punden berundak".
The ten courtyards of Borobudur depict the philosophy of the Mahayana school and simultaneously describe cosmology, namely the concept of the universe, as well as the levels of the natural mind in Buddhist teachings. Like a book, Borobudur describes the ten levels of Bodhisattva that must be passed to achieve perfection in becoming a Buddha.
The original foundation was square, about 118 meters (387 ft) long on each side. This building has nine levels, the bottom six levels are square and the top three levels are circular. The upper terrace has seventy-two small stupas surrounding the largest main stupa. Each stupa is bell-shaped and interlocked with many decorative holes. The Buddha statue is inside the open fence.
The three levels of the spiritual realm in Buddhist cosmology, explaining the parts of Borobudur are as follows:
Kamadhatu
The feet symbolize a world that is still dominated by kama or "lower desires". This section is mostly covered by piles of stones which are thought to have been made to strengthen the construction of the temple.
On the original foot there are 160 panels of the Karmawibhangga story which are now hidden. A small part of the additional structure in the southeast corner was opened so that some reliefs can be seen in this section. The additional andesite foot structure that covers the original foot has a volume of 13,000 cubic meters.
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| Hidden Foot In the southeast corner, the original foot of the Karmawibhangga story which are now hidden. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
In 1885, during research on this building, a hidden structure was discovered at the foot of Borobudur which was called the 'Hidden Foot'. At the foot of this temple there are reliefs totaling 160 relief panels, explaining among them the reliefs of the Karmawibhangga story. On this relief panel there is a carving or like script, writing which is a guide for the carver to create a scene in the relief images of the story.
This original foot is covered by the addition of a stone structure that forms a fairly large courtyard, and its true function is still a mystery. Initially it was thought that the addition of these legs was to prevent landslides on the monument. Another theory explains that the addition of the legs was caused by an error in the design of the original legs, and is not in accordance with the Wastu Sastra, which is an Indian book on architectural forms and urban planning. The reasons for adding and making additional legs are carried out carefully and taking into account religious, aesthetic and technical reasons.
Rupadhatu
The four terrace steps that form a surrounding corridor whose walls are decorated with relief galleries are called Rupadhatu. The floor is square. Rupadhatu consists of four halls with 1,300 relief images. The total length of the relief is 2.5 km with 1,212 decorative carved panels.
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Wall of relief gallery The beauty of the carved art of one of the wall reliefs story on the walls and balustrades. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Rupadhatu is a world that has been able to free itself from lust, but is still bound by appearance and form. This level represents the intermediate realm, namely, between the lower realm and the upper realm. In this part of Rupadhatu, Buddha statues are found in alcoves or niches in the walls above the balustrades or hallways. Originally there were 432 Buddha statues in open niches along the outside of the balustrade.
On the balustrade there is a slight difference in design which symbolizes the transition from the Kamadhatu realm to the Rupadhatu realm; The lowest balustrade is crowned with a pearl, while the four levels of balustrade above it are crowned with stupika (small stupa). These square terraces are rich in decoration and relief carvings.
Arupadhatu
In contrast to the Rupadhatu hallways which are rich in reliefs, from the fifth to the seventh floor the walls do not have reliefs. This level is called Arupadhatu (which means formless or formless). The floor plan is circular. This level represents the upper world, where humans are free from all desires and bonds of form and shape, but have not yet reached nirvana.
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The terrace stupas of Arupadhatu There are 72 perforated stupas arranged in three rows surrounding one large stupa as the main stupa. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
In the circular courtyard there are 72 two small interlocked stupas arranged in three rows surrounding one large stupa as the main stupa. These small bell-shaped stupas are arranged in 3 circular terraces, numbering 32, 24 and 16 respectively (a total of 72 stupas). The bottom two terraces of the stupa are larger with a rhombus-shaped hole, the top terrace of the stupa is slightly smaller and the hole is square-shaped. Buddha statues are placed in stupas covered with holes like in cages.
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The rows of perforated stupas Arupadhatu circular terraces.&;Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo. |
Ordinary living creatures live their lives at the lowest level, the realm of desire. Those who have burned away, eradicating all desire to continue living abandon the world of desire and live in the world only in the realm of form: they see form but are not attracted to it. Lastly, Buddhas completely transcend form and experience reality at its purest and most fundamental level, namely the formless ocean of nirvana.
Liberation from the cycle of Samsara where the enlightened soul is no longer attached to worldly forms is in accordance with the concept of Sunyata, namely total emptiness or absence of self. Kamadhatu is represented by its base, Rupadhatu with five square terraces (body), and Arupadhatu with three circular terraces and a large summit stupa.
The architectural characteristics between the three stages have metaphorical differences. For example, the clear square decorations on Rupadhatu disappear into the plain circular terraces on Arupadhatu to represent how the world of form is where humans are still attached to forms and names, then turns into a world without form. The three stages, different metaphors, square decorations and details on Rupadhatu disappear into the plain circular terraces on Arupadhatu.
The superstructure is clearly differentiated from the terrace. It consists of three circular re-entry platforms, each of which supports a row of perforated stupas. Past a row of stupas arranged in concentric circles, the central dome above the entire monument rises into the sky to a height of almost 35 m above ground level.
Access a series of gates, a staircase leads directly to the circular terrace, via a corridor of square terraces. Stairs are installed from the lowlands to the highlands, and are connected to the temple stairs. The entrance is guarded by a lion statue, while other lion statues guard the various levels of the pyramid, a total of 32 lion statues. At the corners of the tiers, spouts are instaiplled to drain rainwater from the gallery. A total of 100 spouts are carved in the shape of makara (gargoyles).
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Interlock system (interlocking) An interlocking form, attached without adhesive to the "dove tail" shape of stone blocks. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
Archaeologists suspect that the initial design of Borobudur was a single, very large stupa crowning the peak. It is suspected that the enormous mass and weight of this giant stupa is very dangerous for the body and feet of the temple. The architect who designed Borobudur decided to dismantle this giant stupa and replace it with three rows of small stupas and one main stupa as it is now.
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Stepped pyramid structure The design of Borobudur is a prehistoric megalithic culture with a stepped pyramid structure made of stone called punden berundak. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Bell Shape - Stupa
The highest level of Borobudur which depicts the absence of perfect form is symbolized in the form of the largest and highest stupa. This stupa is described as plain without any holes. Inside this largest stupa, an imperfect Buddha statue, also known as an incomplete Buddha, was found, which was mistaken for the 'Adi Buddha' statue. Even though through further research there was never a statue found in the main stupa, the incomplete statue was a mistake made by the sculptor in ancient times.
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According to belief, statues that go wrong in the manufacturing process should not be damaged. Archaeological excavations carried out in the temple grounds discovered many statues like this. The main stupa, which is left empty, is thought to symbolize the highest wisdom, namely kasunyatan, perfect silence and nothingness where the human soul is no longer bound by desires, wishes and forms and is free from the cycle of samsara.
What exists are long corridors which are narrow roads. Hallways bordered by walls surround the temple level by level. In general, the design of Borobudur is similar to a stepped pyramid. It is in these halls that Buddhists carry out walking ceremonies around the temple to the right.
Borobudur functions as a stupa, a sacred building to glorify Buddha, built as a symbol of respect and glorification of Buddha. The design shows that the building is a place of worship. The shape of the building without rooms and the multi-tiered terrace structure is a development of the terraced punden form of prehistoric Indonesia.
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Stupa on the circular terraces One of Borobudur's terraces with a row of stupas and views of Menoreh Hill to the south. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide.
Borobudur
Borobudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple, located on a hill in a plain surrounded by two mountains Sundoro-Sumbing in the northwest and Merbabu-Merapi in the northeast, in the north is Tidar Hill, and in the south are the Menoreh mountains, and are located near the confluence of two rivers, Progo and Elo to the east.
Located Barabudur or Borobudur, the name comes from two words, namely the word 'bara' comes from the word 'monastery' which means a place of worship or Buddhist temple, and the word 'budur' comes from Balinese. The word 'beduhur' which means 'above' or 'hill'. Then the meaning of the words 'monastery and beduhur' changed to Bara Budur, because the sound shifted to Borobudur which means temple or monastery on a hill.
According to legend, the architect who designed the Borobudur was named Gunadharma, little is known, his name was based more on Javanese fairy tales and legends, not based on historical inscriptions. The Gunadharma legend with folklore about the Menoreh hills whose shape resembles the body of a lying person. This local fairy tale tells that Gunadharma's body turned into the Menoreh hills.
Exploring Borobudur
History states that Chandi Borobudur is situated right on top of a hill, built amidst several mountains and hills. To the west are Mount Sundoro and Mount Sumbing. To the east are Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi. To the north, about 15 kilometers from Borobudur, lies Tidar Hill, and to the south, it borders Menoreh Hill. Borobudur is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Progo and Elo, which are located to the east.
Borobudur is a Buddhist temple built on a hill during the reign of Sailendra dinasty around 824 AD. A Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of nine terraced terraces, six square terraces and three circular terraces, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.
Exploring the narrative about Chandi Borobudur in a thematic tour is really fun by visiting and making your tour more complete, explore in more detail the thematic narrative of Borobudur's cultural heritage with Pamong Carita. In the historical narrative of Borobudur, a relief panel carved on the wall at the foot of the temple is mentioned in the Karmawibhangga text, regarding the offering of footwear called 'Upanat' to the Brahmins.
An explanation of 'Upanat' is the footwear worn to visit Borobudur Temple. The purpose of this visit is to better understand Borobudur, learn about its history, take a thematic tour, and admire the monument's grandeur and artistry. This is a way to appreciate and learn about Borobudur, as well as contribute to the preservation and protection of the world cultural heritage site in Borobudur, Indonesia.
Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple, consisting of nine stacked platforms, six square terraces and three circular terraces, a central dome surrounded by 72 stupas, and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.
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Borobudur A Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Foto arisguide. |
Exploring the narrative of Chandi Borobudur on a thematic tour is a truly enjoyable experience. Explore the thematic narrative of Borobudur's cultural heritage with Pamong Carita. Discover explanations in several sections of this blog, and make your Borobudur trip even more engaging with Pamong Carita.
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View of Borobudur from Dagi hill. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Foto arisguide. |
Read narratives about Borobudur Temple in various titles and topics in this blog article. By visiting and making your tour more enjoyable, explore the thematic narrative of Borobudur culture in more detail with Pamong Carita.
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The story of Gunadharma Architect of Borobudur is a story about the Menoreh hill. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo screenshot arisguide. |
Reading about the history, architecture, and fine arts of Borobudur is more enjoyable in English, and it's also incredibly engaging when translated into accessible and flexible language. Get a detailed read at Welcome to Borobudur Temple the fabric of Life in the Buddhist Culture
In the historical narrative of Borobudur, the relief panels carved onto the walls at the temple's base are referenced in the 'Karmawibhangga' manuscript, which relates to the gifting of footwear known as 'Upanat' to the Brahmin class.
'Upanat' is described as the footwear worn when visiting Borobudur Temple. Such visits aim to foster a deeper understanding of Borobudur—exploring its history, participating in thematic tours, and admiring the monument's grandeur and artistic beauty. This practice serves as a form of appreciation and an effort to know Borobudur better, while also contributing to the preservation and conservation of this World Heritage site located in Borobudur, Indonesia.
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