Dieng Temple At The Clear Air Of Dieng Plateau

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Dieng Temple At The Clear Air Of Dieng Plateau

Dieng is a plateau located about 26 kilometers north of Wonosobo, Central Java. Extent of Dieng approximately 619.846 hectares. Dieng's area surrounded by several mountain (mountain clusters). The mountains include: Sumbing, Sindoro, Perahu, Rogojembangan and Bismo. The name of Dieng, comes from the word Di-Hyang, which means "dwells place of the gods". At altitude about 2050 meters from sea level, Dieng plateau measuring about 14,000 square meters and formed by non active volcano. The shape of craters visible from the plain located in the center surrounded by hills. Traces of other craters, Sikidang for example, is sometimes still show volcanic activity. In addition, there are also volcanic activity in the form of gas / geothermal steam is channeled through a pipe with a diameter large enough. Geothermal gases were used as power plants. One of the interesting things are on the plateau is the ancestral form of several temples (complex enshrinement).

Dieng temples complex built in Hindu era, because the area is commonly found enshrinement relics statues of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Agastya, Ganesha and other which characterized by the Hindu religion. However, local communities named temples by purwa puppet characters in the Mahabharata, for example Arjuna temple, Gatotkaca temple, Dwarawati temple, Bhima temple, Semar temple, Sembadra temple, Srikandi temple and Puntadewa temple. Name for these temples there are no relation to the function of the building and estimated temples name are given after the temple was abandoned or not used anymore. Until now has not known for certain who built it. Based on one of the 12 existing inscriptions, the complex is made enshrinement 731 (Saka) or 809 AD. So, in the early 9th century.

Complex enshrinement in the Dieng plateau can be divided into several groups, namely Arjuna Temple, Gatotkaca Temple, Dwarawati Temple and Bhima Temple. Each group consists of several temples that are also named by characters in the Mahabharata story.

Dwarawati temples complex
Dwarawati temples complex is located at the north of the temples on the Dieng plateau is established at the Perahu Mount. Previously this complex consists of two temples, there are Dwarawati temple (East) and Parikesit temple (West). However, currently only Dwarawati temple still standing. Dwarawati temple facing west with a rectangular shape, measuring 5 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 6 meters high. In each of the outer and inner walls of the temple there are niches where the statues that have been empty, except for a statue base in the chambers of the temple (dhâtu garbha). Meanwhile, the roof of the temple decorated with small towers and decorated with paintings. Roof forms and ornaments is influence of South India.

Petirtaan Bimo Lukar
Pertirtaan is water pond with clear-eyed, heavy water flow and measuring 5 meters x 2.5 meters x 1 meter. The building consists of a stone structure adorned with reliefs. The water is channeled through a few showers.

Arjuna temples complex
Arjuna temples complex is the largest. If someone says Dieng temples, usually mentioned is a group of Arjuna temple, when in fact there are many other groups. The group that extends from north to south is composed of two rows of the temple, which is a row of the east and west.
East rows facing to west and consists of several buildings of the temple, namely: Arjuna-Srikandi Temple, Puntadewa Temple, and Sembadra Temple. Meanwhile, the west line of only one temple that still stands, Semar Temple facing to Arjuna Temple. Unlike Dwarawati temples complex, which forms a rectangle, Arjuna temples complex is square, just at the front of the entrance there is a booth that jutted forward. On the walls there are niches and ornaments. In the front adorned with kala-makara. The roof is rich in decoration. Unfortunately, most of the temples in the complex has been damaged and some are just the foundations. Actually, about 200 yards to the southwest of the Arjuna temples complex are the remains of buildings known as the Setyaki, Petruk, Antareja, Nala Gareng, Nakula and Sadewa Temple, but it was difficult to identify because only a foundation.

Ghatotkacha temples complex
Ghatotkacha Temples higher than Arjuna Temple, Located on west of Bale Kambang lake and Panggonan hillside. Gatotkaca temple facing to the west with square shape 4.5 meters x 4.5 meters.

Bima temples complex
Bima temples complex is now only one temple and located at the southernmost end of the row, facing east. The Batur sized 6 meters x 6 meters, with octagonal foundation, 8 meters high. Compared to other temples, Bhima Temple is most intact. The roof was decorated and comprises three levels of boundaries. All temple's shape like Sikhara at North India, only the tower decorations and recesses that shows a horseshoe-shaped influence of South India.

Capture The Beautiful Beach At Karimunjawa Island

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Capture The Beautiful Beach At Karimunjawa Island

Karimunjawa is great spot for divers. Tropical water that's very beautiful, you can perform various activities in the clarity of water like swimming, diving, or snorkeling will be fun. The beauty of coral reefs and colorful fish in the sea will be an attraction in the water. Sea surface around Karimunjawa very clear and transparent, so you can see the bottom sea clearly. For you who love fishing, you can also do this in several islands in the Karimunjawa.

To visit the islands in Karimunjawa, you can use a fishing boat. The time required is not too long to visit several islands at once because it was not far away. There are also boat equipped with a glass at the bottom of the boat are suitable for you who do not want to dive but want to still be able to see the coral reefs or fish in the sea water.

Since March 15th, 2001, Karimunjawa Jepara set by the government as a National Park. Karimunjawa are home of coral reefs, mangroves, coastal forests, and nearly 400 species of marine fauna, including 242 kinds of ornamental fish. Some fauna habitat rare here is eagle sea and white chest, hawksbill and green turtles.

Plants that characterizes the National Park Karimunjawa in dewadaru (Crystocalyx macrophyla) found in lowland rain forest.

Waves at Karimunjawa is low and tame, is limited by the many beaches are fine white sand beach

Borobudur Temple - One of The World Wonder Heritages You Should Visit

Monday, March 15, 2010

Borobudur Temple - One of The World Wonder Heritages You Should Visit

This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions people want to visit this temple which included in World Wonder Heritages.

Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the king of Old Mataram Kingdom, descendants of Wangsa Sailendra. Based on Kayumwungan's epigraph, revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship which was build on May 26th, 824. Borobudur means a mountain having terraces (Budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high places.

Borobudur-shaped by 10 levels of terraces. Its was 42 meters height before being renovated and now is 34,5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a foundation. Six lowest level are square shape and circular shape for three floors upper and then highest level of Buddhist Stupa facing to the west. Each level represents the stage of human life. In accordance with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who wants to reach the level of Buddha must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes the human are still bound by lust. Four levels above mentioned Rupadhatu represents humans who have set themselves free from lust but still tied to appearance and shape. At these levels, a statue of Buddha placed in open space. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupa placed in the holes is called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been freed from lust, appearance, and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful relief panels. Relief that can read coherently when you walk in a clockwise direction (toward the left of the entrance of the temple). The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. In addition, there are relief panels describing the condition of society at that time. For example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of the time the cruise was centered in Bergotta (Semarang).

All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect the teachings of the Buddha. Hence, this temple functions as educating the media for people who want to learn Buddhism. You can walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order to understand the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the 10th century, had visited the temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.

By visiting Borobudur and having Buddhist manuscripts from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to develop Buddhism. He became head of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from any Serlingpa reduced to a core doctrine called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or better known by the name Bodhipathapradipa.

One of the questions unresolved yet about Borobudur is how the condition around the temple was built and why the temple was found in a buried state. Some peoples say Borobudur initially stood surrounded by a swamp and buried because of the eruption of Merapi (The most active mount in Jogjakarta). Essentially from Calcutta inscription reads 'Amawa' means sea of milk. The word is then interpreted as Merapi lava. Some other says that Borobudur buried in the cold lava of Merapi.

With all the grandeur and mystery, that's why many people around the world want to visiting Borobudur. Besides enjoying the temple, you can walk around to the villages around Borobudur, such as Wanurejo Karanganyar and you can see peoples make statues and crafts. You also can go to the top of Watu Kendil to view the panorama of Borobudur from the top of hill.