Prambanan

Prambanan is a group of Hindu temples meaning many priest 'parabrahmana' built in the 9th century. It is founded in 1733 by a Holland archeologist all in ruin because when they built the temple, they didn't use cement but by interlocking the stones.

There are 240 temples but only 18 temples have been restored. The main three temples of Prambanan are Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu.

Outside Shiva's temple

Shiva is the biggest temple with 4 statues in it: Shiva Mahadewa, Shiva Mahaguru, Ganesh (Shiva's son) and Durga (Shiva's wife).

Shiva is the most important God to the Hindus explaining why it's located in the middle and is the largest temple of all. He destroys the bad things and transform it into good.

Shiva's transportation is Nandi the cow.

In the north of Shiva temple is the Vishnu. Vishnu is the supreme God. He is the observer and the preserver. Vishnu's transportation is the garuda bird. The temple was restored from 1982 to 1991.

And in the south of Shiva temple is Brahma temple. Brahma's transportation is the swan. Brahma is God of the creator. He has 4 heads and 4 arms symbolizing the elements of life - earth, water, fire, air. His temple was restored from 1978 to 1987.

There are 2 small guardian temples: Kelir and Pathok. They are built to stop evil spirits from entering.

Hindu religion affected the building of Prambanan in such a way that the Prambanan temples are facing east, showing a sign of influence of Shivaism. It is no wonder that Shiva is the largest temple standing in the middle. In front of the Trimutri towers are temples for the transport of each respective God.

It is important to preserve Prambanan because it shows about our history. This temple gives many answers about the past and gives us a message. It is also a very important place to the Hindu religion.