Sunrise at Borobudur Temple, Central Java, Indonesia 16 Jan 2017
About this photo
Watching sunrise from the top of Borobudur Temple – the world’s largest Buddhist temple and one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world – is an unmissable experience on any Indonesia holiday. Located in Magelang in Central Java, this temple is spread over 2,500 square metres and rises to 29 metres at the summit. It is believed the temple was built over 1,200 years ago with volcanic rock taken from local rivers. It is made up of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, which are surmounted by a central dome.
Guided pilgrimages are offered at the temple: beginning at the base, the path winds around the monument, ascending to the top, passing through three levels. These levels are symbolic of the Buddhist realms – kāmadhātu (the realm of desire), Rupadhatu (the realm of form) and Arupadhatu (the realm of formlessness). From the top, you can see the surrounding volcanoes and lush greenery. Visit Borobudur on the second day of Insight Guides’ Java Discovery holiday to experience this awe-inspiring sight for yourself.
