More from Borobudur

Imagine it for a moment.
Something built around 800 A.D., a Buddhist monument.
Six square levels topped by three round ones. You can walk around at each level.
You approach the first level walking up steps (picture 1.) 2,672 carved stone relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

All in green surroundings with the volcano watching in the distance…



The stones were put in place first, then carved on site over several generations. Some were never finished – perhaps the sons or grandsons were not as keen on the work as the original workers were? Some are damaged. Some are missing – plundered. But what surprises most is how much remains, and how good the condition of it is. Fortunately it is not surrounded by the corrosiveness of a modern city or factories.
More tomorrow.

Comments

More from Borobudur — 4 Comments

  1. Do you think the volcano is watching the temple or the Buddha statues are watching to keep the volcano from erupting.

    Fascinating stuff, Glenda, as Satima says, keep ’em coming.

  2. When Raffels discovered this site, just how deep was it buried under the ash and vegetation?

    Amazing craftsmanship for people so isolated and ancient!

  3. Apparently Raffles heard about a place from local people. He was a historian and was interested in that sort of thing. The locals were aware that there was some sort of monument there.

    It was covered with trees and earth, and it took two months just to uncover it.

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