Indonesia - Prambanan Temples

The Prambanan temples are a UNSECO World Heritage listed ancient site just outside Yogyakarta. They were built in the middle of the ninth century. They're a striking complex of temples built over a wide area. The central temple, Chandi Shiva Mahadeva is a Hindu temple, but the second biggest, Chandi Sewu is actually Buddhist. They reminded me a great deal of Angkor Wat, not only for their size, but also the style of ornamentation. That's not the only similarity though.



The main temple consists of three gigantic spires. There's one for each of the main Hindu deities. There was a rather major earthquake in the area in 2006. The temples were badly damaged. All around the site, you can see bits that have fallen off and whole mini temples that have been devastated. As a result, you are no longer able to walk in amongst the temples. You get to the main platform and right in front is a metal fence, stopping you from going any further. It's a real shame, because the temples are very ornately decorated. Squinting form a distance, you can see all sorts of figures carved into the sides. The current estimnate is that it will take 6 years to repair all the damage, so plan on coming back in 2013 if you want to walk amongst the temples again.


It seems that not everyone is stopped by the steel fence. At the end of the fence, there was a small gap. Apparently, people were sneaking through! They've now blockaded it to an insane degree with string, bamboo posts and wire. They REALLY don't want people go inside. I suspect this is how the temples of Angkor Wat will end up being managed. People on one sideo of the fence, along way from any of the actual attractions. That will be a shame, but if it preserves the temples forever, it's a small price to pay.


The temple has been organised with coach loads of tourists in mind. After you walk in the front gate, signs direct you straight to the main temple platform. You're then guided to the side of the temple and out of the compound! I imagine Japanese tour groups are in and out in fifteen minutes. If you're a bit sneaky though and ignore the exit sign, you can backtrack around the side of the temples and go deep into the ruins of some of the smaller temples. They're just about all in ruins, but there was one temple which was nearly complete. It was very ornately decorated and almost made up for the main temple being off limits.

I spent about an hour wandering in amongst the ruins, before I sighed deeply and moved on. It would have been great to walk in amongst the temples. Oh well, next time...