Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is simply amazing. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia and you really have to see it for yourself to appreciate the scale and the detail of the place. Although Borobodur is quite well-restored, it saddens me greatly to see the Buddha statues that have been destroyed by looting.
Borobudur consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms. It is decorated with more than 2000 relief panels and more than 500 Buddha statues. The upper platform features 72 small stupas surrounding one large central stupa. Each stupa is bell-shaped and statues of the Buddha sit inside the enclosures.
Once a year, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak day and the ceremony is centered at the three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon (the one we didn’t visit) and ending at Borobudur.
approaching from the east
looking up
walking around
over the shoulder
this row of statues is in relatively good condition
first level of stupas
with Adrian for scale
timed shot
a Buddha statue exposed
final level of stupas
making our way back down
from a distance
cooling down
lunch