The History of Borobudur Temple


         According to historical records, Borobudur Temple is estimated to be built in the 9th century, at which time the Magelang region was currently controlled by the Syailendra dynasty led by Raja Samaratungga. The king said to build a temple construction which was then led by an architect named Gunadharma.

          Without the help of today's technological sophistication, Gunadharma draws the Borobudur Temple, which covers hundreds of square meters. From this development, Borobudur can be completed within 50-70 years later. Which is said Gunadharma himself did not see the end result.

           The name Borobudur itself means 'Vihara Budha Uhr' which comes from Sanskrit and means Buddhist Monastery on a hill. Indeed at that time, Borobudur was located on a hill. that's the short history of Borobudur Temple before its construction. However, afterwards Borobudur also witnessed other Indonesian histories.

          Because at that time Buddhism became the majority of religion in Javanese land, the Borobudur Temple was not separated from religious activities. Borobudur Temple is the biggest center of religious power both in the homeland and from various kingdoms around the archipelago. But gradually the development of Islam began to enter the archipelago.

         The influx of Islam into Indonesia in the 15th century made Borobudur temple abandoned by people who converted to Islam. There was a time when Borobudur was forgotten and Borobudur was forgotten several times during the eruption of Mount Merapi which caused it to be buried by volcanic ash.

         In the short history of the Borobudur Temple in the days of Dutch colonialism, namely precisely in 1814, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles succeeded in revealing the existence of the Borobudur Temple. Raffles was informed that there was a large building buried in volcanic ash on Java.

          Counted, Borobudur was forgotten for 10 centuries until it was discovered by Raffles. The condition of Borobudur which had been forgotten at that time was not only buried by volcanic ash but also filled with shrubs so that it did not look like its shape and appearance which was messy and partially hidden.

          Borobudur Temple has a height of 42 meters but when found and up to now its height is only 34.5 meters. There are levels that are indeed buried and left buried for reasons of strengthening the foundation of the temple and the second is because the lowest level has a picture of the panel of husband and wife relations.

          Until finally found and carried out restoration and various efforts to reconstruct the temple which began at the time of the British and Dutch colonization. Restoration since independent Indonesia was counted in the short history of Borobudur Temple, both from domestic businesses to various parts of the world.

          Although now Borobudur Temple is no longer included in the 7 wonders of the world, but Borobudur remained in the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991 after a long restoration of the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Borobudur is also included in the list of world memories, proposed along with the Panji Story, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Aceh Tsunami.

          While the 4 documents that have been included in the UNESCO World Memory list from Indonesia are I La Galigo from Sulawesi, Negarakertagama, Babad Diponegoro, and the Asia-Africa Conference. Shows how rich Indonesian history and culture is in the world.

Source : http://www.berdesa.com/sejarah-singkat-candi-borobudur-yang-harus-anda-ketahui/