Prambanan

• Prambanan

On the island of Java, in Indonesia, it is one of the largest Buddhist monument in the world - the temple complex of Prambanan. The structure of the temple complex includes several Hindu and Buddhist temples.

from a distance resembles a rock Prambanan bizarre, but if you start to get closer to discern what is in front of us the majestic stone structure built by human hands! Construction of the temple complex began in the 9th century. Prambanan was built to commemorate the victory of the Hindu king Rakai Pikatana over the last Buddhist king of Saylendra dynasty in 856. Of course, the time did not spare such a grand structure. Some buildings of the temple complex collapsed, and the stones that built Prambanan, dark, almost black steel ...

For several centuries Prambanan was all forgotten. During this time, most of the buildings of the complex has become a real jungle, so that from afar Prambanan could be mistaken for a rock overgrown forest!

However, despite the partial destruction and long neglect, the temple complex still looks incredibly beautiful, and over the years has become much Prambanan enigmatic and mysterious!

The temple complex consists of many temples, but a central part of Prambanan is considered 47-meter Loro Dzhongrang. Under this name hides three large temple that literally rise above all the other buildings of the complex. They are dedicated to gods Vishnu, the Shiva and Brahma.

several temples located around Loro Dzhograng "smaller caliber." Most of them are designed for sacred animals, which prefer to move Hindu deity. In Hinduism, it is believed that all the gods had their own servants carriers.

For example, a chubby funny deity Ganesha the elephant-headed private transport is the usual mouse. In the main gods of the vehicles were more impressive - the cherry - a huge eagle, Shiva - the bull, and Brahma - the swan.

Most rooms are decorated with bas-reliefs Loro Dzhongrang. Most often, there is found an image of Garuda bird which is the national symbol of Indonesia.

Before temples Loro Dzhograng were many sculptures and miniatures, but most of them were destroyed in the earthquake, the most devastating of which was the 2006 earthquake.

In 1991, Prambanan was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Such a measure was to protect the temple complex from further destruction and looting, however, despite this, the ancient structures almost reserved. Most of the surviving sculptures of Buddha heads are missing - they were simply stolen ...

Unknown Prambanan would be preserved to the present day, if not for reconstruction, which began in 1918 and ended only in 1953. During this time, has been restored and strengthened most of the temples, restored some of the sculptures.

Today Prambanan temple complex is very popular among tourists, but the fact that mass tourism there is a lot of debate and criticism. Most archaeologists agree that it is necessary to restrict access to it to save the temple complex intact.