Prambanan Temple is one of the most iconic and important temples in Indonesia. It is located in Yogyakarta and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Trimurti, the three Hindu deities: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This temple complex was built in the 9th century by the Mataram Kingdom and is believed to have various stories and legends associated with it.
The Legend of Rara Jonggrang
One of the most popular legends associated with the Prambanan Temple is the Legend of Rara Jonggrang. According to this legend, the temple was built by a magical prince, Bandung Bondowoso. He was in love with a beautiful princess, Rara Jonggrang, who was the daughter of the King of the region. The King did not approve of the relationship and so the prince decided to build the temple as an offering to win over the King. He asked 1000 willing men to help him build the temple overnight.
However, when the temple was nearly completed, the King found out about the plan. He asked his daughter to outwit the prince. To do this, the princess asked her maidens to start pounding rice in the nearby fields. This created a huge amount of noise, which made the prince and his helpers think that the sun was rising. As a result, they stopped their work and left the temple incomplete.
The Curse of Rara Jonggrang
The prince was so angry with Rara Jonggrang for outsmarting him that he cursed her to become a statue. This is why there is a statue of Rara Jonggrang in the east side of the temple complex. This is also why the temple is incomplete and why it has only 8 main temples instead of the planned 16. It is believed that the curse of Rara Jonggrang still affects the temple today.
The Significance of Prambanan Temple
Despite its incomplete state, the Prambanan Temple is still a significant monument in Indonesia. It is a symbol of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage and is visited by many tourists each year. It is also an important archaeological site that contains many artifacts and sculptures from the Mataram Kingdom period. The temple has also been the subject of several movies and television shows.
The Prambanan Temple is an important part of Indonesia’s cultural and religious history. It is also a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful architecture and its association with the Legend of Rara Jonggrang. The temple is an important archaeological site and is a symbol of Indonesia’s rich culture and history.
