Borobudur - Yogyakarta

2014/05/06

Borobudur is the worlds largest Buddhist temple, hence UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We had plans to watch the sunrise at Borbudur over Mount Merapi. So it was an early trip to the temple around 4.30 in the dark by torch light, wait for the sunrise enjoy the view from the top of the temple, have breakfast at Manohara hotel and leave.

It was pitch dark in the night, not much moon. The torchlight showed us the way and a silhouette of a temple came in to view when our eyes gradually got used to the dark.

With the first rays of sunlight, we saw Mount Merapi. The beautiful but vicious volcano fuming. Loved it!

All around the place is covered in mist, so the actual surroundigs are yet to be confirmed. By now the temple, which we have already climbed and waiting at the top, is coming in to view. The stupas, carvings and statues gradually emerge.

The temple is a symmetrical stupa, consisting of nine stacked platforms: six square bases, three circular ones, with a central dome at the top. Four stairways are leading up to the top.

Below is the highest point of the temple - the central dome, with the large stupa at the top. The stupa is blunt in different to the stupas found in Sri Lanka.

Special thanks to Ayanthi, my travel companion and the tour guides of Panaroma.

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