Would you believe that this enormous magnificent temple was hidden for centuries? And to be there at the top was both exhilarating and life-changing. Truly a mystical place, and in this article, I'd like to share my experience in exploring the largest Buddhist monument in the world---Borobudur.
It is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia---an hour or so away from Jogjakarta. Our group rented a van, and following the driver's advice, we left Jogja at around 7 AM. The best time to be at the temple is between 8-9 AM because it is not too hot yet.
The Borobudur area---comprising of a park, a souvenir centre, and the temple itself---is so huge you need to ride this funky looking train-car hybrid shuttle to get to the temple itself. I love the black-and-white batik pattern on it; it's very Javanese. You may read about my love for batik here.
All smiles! We're finally on our way to the temple. Also, we were relieved to be given the local ticket rate. The guard was quite sceptical about us because we looked like foreign tourists (which we technically were), but she relented when we showed her our Indonesian tax IDs.
Don't lose heart. This flight of stairs is just a prelude to the main event. Morning cardio, anyone? 😅
And there it is! Borobudur in all its glory! I was so mesmerized at the sight I had to take a step back just to take it all in. Wow, I felt like I was about to enter into another dimension or time travel. And it was just so magnificent. All thanks to the Indonesian government and UNESCO for restoring this ancient temple to its former glory. To think that they discovered this hidden beneath volcanic ash was beyond me!
Since this is a Buddhist temple, then one can consider this a pilgrimage. This is not just a park. This is holy ground. Here I am smiling before I braved the uphill climb in this heat. Let's go, folks!
I wonder what this friendly-looking sculpture symbolize. I'm not familiar with Buddhist symbols, but it sure looks auspicious with its big smile. It is located near the foot of the stairs at the base of the temple. It seems to greet the visitors hello. 😃
Borobudur is composed of different levels, and on my way to the top, I took a detour on this side to admire the relief sculptures. I wish I had more knowledge about Buddhism and archeology, so I could interpret these.
And I finally reached the top! I felt so close to heaven, and praying felt just the right thing to do. Pray to whatever God you worship when you get here. It feels so serene even if there are a lot of other tourists milling about.
Actually, I did follow the guide's instructions on how to pray here: Walk around the topmost cone, the monumental stupa, five or seven times (it should be an odd number). You must meditate, manifest, and maybe even chant quietly as you walk. Then when you're done, make a wish or say a prayer.
I can still remember what I wished and prayed for that day. And let my smile here give you a hint on what it was and how it's going so far.
And this is me sashaying towards my future.
Of course, visiting Borobudur is not all about the climb. It's also about going downstairs. Just seeing this photo again reminds me of the vertigo-like sensation I felt as I took each step of the steep stairs. I had to focus on the umbrella in front of me so I wouldn't fall. Also, that's my friend Lyn. Wait for me! 😅
It was about 11 AM when we got out of the Borobudur Temple. Just in time for lunch, and the driver knew just where to take us. But for the life of me, I can't remember the name of this scenic restaurant. If you happen to go to Borobudur and want to dine here, just tell the driver that this is the restaurant with a silver jewelry shop in front. The food was great as well as the service.
Before going to Borobudur, my friend took this shot of me at breakfast. I was deep in thought indeed (and I love the lighting, hehe). I had a couple of concerns that I wanted to let go not just because it was a holiday but also because they needed to be resolved. And I found the resolve to do something about them and take my life back when I took that pilgrimage in Borobudur.
Thank you to my GH1 family for inviting me. I always have the best time with them. Can't wait to see them again soon! 😍❤️🌸
You may read more about Borobudur's history here:
For more details about me, please click here: Get to Know April: A Self-Intro Blog
Perhaps you'd also like to read more of my travelogues of Indonesia:
- Selamat datang di Padang! (Welcome to Padang!) | Island Hopping in Sumatra
- An Ode to a Lost Love | Bukittinggi Memoirs
- Prambanan: A Temple of with a Story of Love and Betrayal
- Chasing the Sunset in Ratu Boko
And please feel free to follow me to read more about my adventures and creative writing endeavours. Cheers! 🥂
Images: All photos are owned by the author unless otherwise indicated.