Shivsutay Namonam:- Ganesh/ Shiv Temple in Prambanan, Indonesia

With the ongoing Ganesh festival (which is my favourite!), the only thing I can think about, is Ganesha! So why not take you for a tour to Ganesha temple?

Ganesha idol -9th century- Prambanan
📷 Internet

This temple is built in 9th century and I had visited it before 13 years, i.e. 2007. This is most probably the largest temple built to honor Shiva, Ganesha's father. 

This temple is in Indonesia, near the city of Yogyakarta or Jogjakarta. It is said, that the name Yogyakarta came from Ayodhya in India. This is really interesting! Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama was so sought after name, that in Indonesia there is Yogyakarta city, in Thailand there is Ayutthya city.

About approximately 20 kilometres from Yogyakarta is this huge Hindu temple complex called Prambanan. 

Prambanan in Indonesia Map.
 📷 Internet

First temple was completed in mid 9th century by Rakai Pikatan of Hindu Sanjaya Dynasty in Indonesia. The complex was expanded by King Lokpal and Balitung Maha Sambhu of Mataram kingdom. 

It is spread over 30 square kilometres of area. The original name of the temple was Shivagrha - home of Shiva or Shivalaya - the realm of Shiva. 

Candi - Temple in Bahasa Indonesia

When you enter the complex or rather when you are some kilometres away from the complex you get to see the amazing tapering and sharp towers of the temple complex. Surely it is a sight which you won't forget in your lifetime! I always feel that the word Prambanan must be originated from the Sanskrut word Bramhanand which is ultimate happiness! 

First Glimpse

When you enter the complex, you will see the towers of the Trimurti temples, i.e. Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesha / Shiv temples. But you will also see piles of stones all over the place. These are the collapsed temples.

 

The prambanan Complex
📷 Internet

Initially there were 240 temples inside the outer wall of the outer zone of the complex. In the middle zone there were 224 shrines arranged in a concentric square. These are known as Candi Perwara ( must be prawara) i.e. guardian temples. The number gradually decreases from outer to inner part. There are 68, 60,52,44 shrines arranged in concentric rows. 

Map of temple complex
📷 Internet

Sadly most of these outer shrines have collapsed leaving large piles of stones. We had visited Prambanan in June 2007. In 2006 Indonesia was badly hit by a massive earthquake and many structures in Prambanan were destroyed by this earthquake. 

The collapsed outer shrines

The innermost zone consists of temples dedicated for Bramha- the creator, Vishnu- the preserver and Shiva - the destroyer. This zone also consists of temples of Wahanas of these three gods i.e. Hamsa the celestial swan- wahan of Bramha, Garud- the celestial Eagle-Wahan of Vishnu and Nandi -the celestial bull- wahan of Shiva. 

Inner zone Temples

The Shiva temple is tallest at nearly 154 ft and intricately carved. It has 4 idols in it. Shiva in teacher form, his wife Parvati, Son Ganesha and Agastya Muni. When we were there in 2007, restoration work was going on and so we could not enter inside the Garbhagruha( innermost part) of the temples. We had to rely entirely on the brochure!

Statues in Shiva Temple.

 

The walls of the Trimurti temples are intricately decorated with images from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Though we couldn't enter inside the temples, we could see the carvings on the walls.

Carvings on the walls 

 

Intricate carving panels on the walls.Add caption

Carvings

Prambanan Temples

Prambanan Temples

Their architecture, towering height, area of the complex, the fantastic geometrical map, the zeal with which these massive structures were built, all these factors show that the mankind was very much evolved in all the sciences, even in the 9th century! 

I think everyone must visit Prambanan at least once in life time and feel the respect about the Hindu rulers of Indonesia who could dream about this complex and could bring the dream into reality.

Bye Bye Prambanan! You were magnificent.

P.S. 1. Some people think that Prambanan is probably derived from the Sanskrut word Parabramh which means the Supreme Spirit, Supreme Reality. 

2. As per the inscriptions found there, the temple was inaugurated on Nov. 12 856AD. 

3. Now in Nov. 2019, after 1163 years of its inauguration, 3 days prayers and Abhishikam were performed. These rituals were performed according to manuscripts found in Prambanan. 

4. Please plan your trip to Prambanan in daylight to take good quality photographs. If you are staying in Yogyakarta, you can start early and visit Prambanan.

5. A program based on Ramayana is performed in temple premises every evening.