Prambanan - Most Beautiful Hinduism Temple In The World

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Prambanan - Most Beautiful Hinduism Temple In The World

Prambanan temple is incredibly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reigns of two kings, Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. with 47 feet high (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the establishment of this temple has fulfilled the builder desire, shows the triumph of Hinduism in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle of the area that is now a beautiful park.

Prambanan temple has 3 main temples in the main yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. These three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are 2 apit temples, 4 kelir temples, and 4 corner temples. Meanwhile, the second yard had 224 temples.

Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find a room 4. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other 3 rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is mentioned as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend of Prambanan (Bandung Bondowoso)

In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of Shiva temple, you will only see one room containing a statue of Vishnu. Similarly, the Brahma temple located on the south side of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.

Accompanying temple is lure Garuda temple, located near the Vishnu temple. This temple have story of a half-bird figure named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, with gold body, white-faced, red-winged, beaked and winged like an eagle. Estimated, the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu figure (means 'rises' or 'shine', usually associated with the god "Re" in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology.

Prambanan temple also has Ramayana story relief. The relief was similar to the Ramayana story which revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the 9th century have wisdom in managing the environment.

Kotagede, Enchantment Old City of Yogyakarta

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Kotagede, Enchantment Old City of Yogyakarta

Located about 10 kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, the area is known as Kotagede as the center of silver in Yogyakarta. Store around 170 ancient buildings made in 1700 to 1930, insufficient Kotagede called Silver City, but The Old Capital City also.

Old City Center of Silver Handicrafts

Since entering Kotagede area, tourists can enjoy a variety of silver sold at the front of houses and galleries (which are usually shaped Joglo to receive guests) with the type and variety of prices.

The silver is a culture from generation to generation. At first craft in Kotagede gold, silver and copper. But over time, silver is most preferred. So that more producers choose to process the silver until now. This handicraft is exported to foreign countries, mainly Europe. And generally increasing by the end of the year.

Drop by at the gallery to see various crafts, jewelry, ornament and utensils made of silver with artistic touch of Kotagede silversmiths. Warm smile and greeting will be a pleasant welcome to begin the exploration through Kotagede.

Founder's tomb of the Ancient Mataram
To the south of township, there is a popular market known as Pasar Gede. Although the architecture of the building is simple, the traditional market built in Panembahan Senopati has become one of the centers of economic activity mentawisan community. This makes Kotagede known as Pasar Gede or Sargede once.

About 50 meters south of Pasar Gedhe in the Great Mosque road, a gate with a long fortress protecting the triumph of one of the sites of ancient Mataram which is still well, a legacy Kotagede Kingdom. Some of the banyan tree which signifies old age seemed to be the guardian shrine. Past the second gate there is a high wall about two meters by road on both sides that the view from the third gate as the entrance to the Great Mosque complex.

In the middle of the complex, there is a Great Mosque surrounded the house of the court servants. The mosque was built by Sultan Agung with local communities - most of them were Hindus and Buddhists - so too many to adopt the architecture typical of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. One of them is the mosque gate is carved like monasteries. Wood carvings that adorn nearly every corner of the mosque is also patterned style of Hindu and Buddhist. This is a unique individual from this mosque. Inside the mosque there is a unique carved pulpit, from the Duke tribute to the Sultan Agung Palembang.

To the west of the complex there is a gate leading to the tomb complex. Entering this complex, tourists must wear traditional Javanese clothes and carry tahlilan (prayer) before opening the tomb. Passing around 720 tombs, tourists will in conductivity to a main building which became the Royal Family resides.

Kalang House
After a visit to the tomb, tourists can visit one of the old houses built by Pawiro Suwarno in the 1920s, who was a wealthy businessman in Kotagede. The house is also known as the Kalang House. Kalang are invited by the King to become carvers jewelries.

The uniqueness of this Kalang House is a combination of Javanese and European elements, namely joglo as the parent is located in the back and in front of the European model. European building was likely to be of baroque style of Corinthian and the following doriq. Was on building joglonya, especially the hall is modified to be closed, not open like a hall of the house Java joglo. Reliefs with green colors of yellow, show no longer Java colors again. The emergence of glass into colorful mosaics connecting the pillars, this joglo show has received other touch.

Serimpi - Elegant Dance From Yogyakarta

Friday, March 19, 2010

Serimpi - Elegant Dance From Yogyakarta

Serimpi is one of the classic dance of Yogyakarta. Serimpi a dance with mystical nuanced. Serimpi word adopted from the Java language means "four". This is the reason why often the number of Serimpi dancers are generally four people. It is said that the four dancers Serimpi also considered a symbol of the four elements in the world. There are fire, air, water, and wind. Some say, Serimpi name associated with dream word (mimpi). Graceful movements is characteristic of the Serimpi dance . This movement is then considered to bring the audience seemed in dream world.

At first, Serimpi dance played only in Yogyakarta Palace environment. Serimpi show will always be present at the commemoration of Sultan birthday. This dance is often played to celebrate the circumcision ceremony for the son of Sultan. But now, as well as played Serimpi entertainment. For example, when there are people of Yogyakarta who hold a wedding. Serimpi also played in other areas, besides the promotion of cultural Yogyakarta. Not to forget, Serimpi Dance also present when the Sultanate of Yogyakarta welcomed the guest of honor.

With the accompaniment of Javanese gamelan music, Serimpi played by female dancers. Formerly, they were dressed like a princess of Yogyakarta Palace. They call it Temanten.