The Temples of Java

In Central Java, two massive temples rise as witness to the greatness of two empires – one Buddhist and one Hindu. Borobudur, the main temple site of the Buddhist Sailendra Dynasty (760-830) sprawls horizontally, in deference to its stupa-mound inspiration. Prambanan, built by the Late Sanjaya (830-1016) Hindu empire that displaced the Sailendras, on the other hand, soars vertically, resembling the Hindu architecture of South Indian dynasties.

We have created this ApproachGuide to help visitors understand these two world-class sites; it is our hope that this guide will allow visitors to make critical observations and draw linkages between seemingly disconnected architectural landmarks.

This guide offers a condensed, yet comprehensive overview of Javanese stone architecture, from its origins in the 5th century until 1527. This vast temple construction period spans many Buddhist and Hindu Empires, including the Early Sanjaya / Mataram (732-760), Sailendra (760-830), Late Sanjaya (830-1016), Singosari (1222-92) and the Majapahit (1292-1527).

For each of the aforementioned Empires, our discussion focuses on:

  • the history behind the temples they constructed;
  • its religious orientation (and how this manifests itself in the architecture);
  • a review of the temple building style, including both architecture and sculptural decoration;
  • how this style related and contributed to the two overarching architectural styles (Central Javan and East Javan);
  • our picks for the best, most well-preserved temple sites.

The document concludes with a rather comprehensive discussion of the two most iconic structures in Javan architecture, Borobudur and Prambanan.

This guide is relevant for travel to the following locations: Java, Indonesia.

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Borobudur and Prambanan are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  See our custom map of Indonesia, with the sites of both temples marked.

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Buddha, Borobudur, Java

Buddha at Borobudur in Java, Indonesia