Prambanan Temple

Historical Origins and Construction Period

Prambanan was built in the mid-9th century, around 850 AD. Based on the Siwagrha Inscription dated 778 Saka (856 AD), this temple was initiated by Rakai Pikatan, the sixth king of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom from the Sanjaya Dynasty. This construction is believed to have been a counterpoint to the Buddhist Borobudur Temple built by the Syailendra Dynasty. Besides being a place of worship, Prambanan was established to mark the return of the Sanjaya Dynasty's power in Central Java after a long period dominated by Buddhist influence.

The expansion and refinement of this complex were continued on a large scale by subsequent kings, such as Rakai Kayuwangi and Balitung Maha Sambu. During its golden age, Prambanan Temple served as the kingdom's Great Temple, a venue for important religious ceremonies and sacred sacrifices performed by Brahmins and the royal family.

Architecture: Hindu Cosmology in Stone

Prambanan's architecture follows the Hindu architectural tradition guided by the Wastu Sastra scriptures. The original layout is square, consisting of three main zones: Bhurloka (outer courtyard), Bhuwahloka (middle courtyard), and Swarloka (inner, most sacred courtyard).

The highest point of the complex is the Shiva Temple, reaching a height of 47 meters. The uniqueness of Prambanan's architecture lies in its slender and towering form, contrasting with Borobudur's tendency towards width and massiveness. In the central courtyard, there are three main temples known as the Trimurti: the Shiva Temple in the center, the Vishnu Temple to the north, and the Brahma Temple to the south. In front of these three temples stand three Wahana (divine vehicles) temples: the Nandi Temple (bull) for Shiva, the Garuda Temple for Vishnu, and the Angsa Temple (swan) for Brahma.

Technically, Prambanan's construction utilized a stone interlocking technique without cement. Each andesite stone block was precisely carved to interlock with others, an extraordinary feat of civil engineering for its time.

Cultural Significance and Ramayana Reliefs

One of the most captivating historical aspects of Prambanan is the reliefs carved on the balustrade walls. These reliefs narrate the Ramayana epic, starting from the Shiva Temple and continuing to the Brahma Temple. Uniquely, the version of the Ramayana carved here has local details, showing the adaptation of Indian culture into the Old Javanese context.

Besides its religious function, Prambanan reflects the social stratification and intellectual advancement of the Ancient Mataram society. The details in the reliefs also depict flora, fauna, and traditional musical instruments used at that time, providing valuable insights for historians regarding the daily life of the 9th-century community.

Period of Decline and Rediscovery

Prambanan's glory began to fade when the center of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom's power was moved to East Java by Mpu Sindok around 930 AD. The reasons for this relocation are strongly suspected to be a massive eruption of Mount Merapi and a severe earthquake that damaged the temple structures. For centuries, the complex lay abandoned, buried by volcanic material, and overgrown with bushes, becoming a mysterious ruin for the local population.

The local community created the Rara Jonggrang legend to explain the existence of these temples. The name "Prambanan" itself is thought to derive from the word "Para Brahman," referring to the golden age of Brahmins in that place.

International attention began to return in 1733 when C.A. Lons, a VOC employee, reported the existence of these ruins. However, serious excavation and identification only took place during the British occupation (1811-1816) under the command of Colin Mackenzie, a subordinate of Sir Stamford Raffles.

Restoration Efforts and Current Status

Large-scale restoration began in 1918 by the archaeological department of the Dutch East Indies government. However, the renovation of the main temple (Shiva Temple) was only fully completed in 1953 and inaugurated by President Soekarno. The biggest challenge in the restoration was the phenomenon of "anastylosis," which is the reassembly of scattered original stone blocks. Many stones had been stolen or used by residents for house foundations over hundreds of years, resulting in many candi perwara (ancillary temples) that could not be fully rebuilt.

In 1991, UNESCO designated Prambanan Temple as a World Heritage Site. Although it suffered damage from the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake, continuous conservation efforts have successfully restored the stability of the building structures.

Unique Facts and Modern Relevance

One little-known historical fact is that the original Prambanan complex was once surrounded by water canals fed from a nearby river (Opak River). This served as a drainage system and a symbolic representation of the cosmic ocean.

Today, Prambanan Temple is not just a historical tourist attraction. Every full moon night, the temple grounds become the backdrop for the Sendratari Ramayana performance, a colossal show that bridges ancient history with modern performing arts. Furthermore, Hindus in Indonesia once again use Prambanan as a center for major religious ceremonies such as Tawur Agung Kesanga leading up to the Nyepi holiday, reaffirming the temple's spiritual function after a thousand years.

As a historical site in Sleman, Prambanan stands as a monument to cultural resilience and tangible proof of the high civilization of Indonesia's ancestors in the fields of architecture, astronomy, and spirituality.