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ShivaFan
04 January 2013, 09:24 AM
Namaste

In Central Java there is a complex of temples which began with the foundation stone of a Siva temple in 856 AD, where there are found three temples called the Chandi Vishnu, Chandi Siva, the Chandi Brahma, for each of the Three Devas of the Trimurti. The entire courtyard of a complex of temples is called Lara Jonggrang, and the village is called Prambanan which is from “Param Brahma” or Supreme Brahman. This temple compound is also called Candi Prambanan or “Prambanan Temple” because of its proximity to the village. The temples were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. “Lara Jonggrang” means “slender maiden”, the daughter of Ratu Baka the King who was killed by her suitor who was a sorcerer’s son. Near this town is Yogyakarta, which in old Javanese means Ayodhya the capital of Rama.

http://www.jitourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Prambanan-Temple-Is-Also-A-Big-Temple-In-Indonesia-510x346.jpg

In fact, there were originally 232 temples amalgamated into the structures of Lara Jonggrang, with a central square foundation with four gates and there were eight principal temples, and the three main temples to the Trimurti, all of which stood on the East side of the complex which was the back end of the complex. The three temples stood in a line, with the largest to Shiva, which stood 120 feet (40 metres) high and was in the Center of the East complex. Almost as large, were the Vishnu Temple to the North of the Shiva Temple, and the Brahma Temple to the South of the Shiva Temple. At the front end of the complex on the West was the main entrance, where stood three temples, one for Nandi in the middle, with Shiva Mahayogin and Lingam on each side. There were hundreds of smaller shrines containing the Hindu Devas and Devi for residence of murtis. The entire complex was enclosed by a wall, and represented Mount Meru.

http://www.jitourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Prambanan-Temple-Is-The-Largest-Hindu-In-Southeast-Asia-510x382.jpg

The temple complex has a well which is 5.75 metres deep, where was found sheets of gold leaf with the inscription Varuna and Parvati, as well as of turtle, dragon, lotus, altar and egg.

The Shiva Murti is as follows: Mahadeva holding rosary or aksamala, fly whisk or camara, trident of trisula, with head dress of skull and lunar crescent and with thread of snake, the inner sanctum in the Central chamber. The West chamber has Ganesha with rosary, hatchet, skull bowl, broken right tusk in hand, with head dress of skull and lunar crescent as like Shiva. In the South chamber is Agastya or Batara Guru with trident or trisula and water-bowl or kamandalu. The maiden Lara Jonggrang is found in the North chamber along with Durga Mahisasuramardini killing the Bull demon. Durga Maa stands on the back of the Bull holding its tail with Her right hand and Her left hand clutches the hair of the demon. She has eight arms, with arrow, sword, chakra, shield and a winged conch or cangkha.

http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/maisey/kerism2.jpg

In Lara Jonggrang is a complete sculptured motif of the Ramayana from beginning to end. This motif begins in the Chandi Siva Temple with 42 panels, it then continues the next middle chapters of the Ramayana in the Chandi Brahma with 30 panels. The Chandi Vishnu Temple has motifs related to the story of Krsna.

The Ramayana in Prambanan opens with a magnificent relief depicting Vishnu reposing on the coils of the serpent Ananta, afloat on the cosmic' ocean. The scene is a representation of the Gods approaching Vishnu for help against Ravana.

It is followed by motifs that are as follows:

Sage Visvamithra's visit to King Dasaratha's court.

The killing of Tataka by Lord Rama.

Rama defending the hermitage of Visvamitra against Maricha and Subahu.

Rama winning the hand of Sita.

Rama's confrontation with Parasurama.

Kaikeyi's demand that her son Bharata alone should be consecrated as Yuva Raja.

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leaving for the forest.

Bharata receiving Rama's sandals.

The cremation of Dasaratha.

The killing of Viradha.

The Shurpanakha episode.

Rama killing Maricha.

Ravana's seizure of Sita.

Jatayu's valiant efforts to protect Sita.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/COLLECTIE_TROPENMUSEUM_Reli%C3%ABf_op_de_aan_Shiva_gewijde_tempel_op_de_Candi_Lara_Jonggrang_oftewel _het_Prambanan_tempelcomplex_TMnr_10016191.jpg

Jatayu giving Sita’s ring to Rama.

Rama killing Kabandha.

http://www.vanamaliashram.org/p6.jpg

Rama meeting Sabhari.

Rama's meeting with Hanuman.

Meeting with Sugriva.

Sugriva's duel with Vali.

The killing of Vali.

Sugriva regaining the throne.

Hanuman's search for Sita.

Hanuman meeting Sita.

The burning of Lanka by Hanuman.

Return of Hanuman and meeting with Rama.

The construction of the Sethu the causeway and the arrival of Rama and the Vanaras in Lanka.

The narration ends in Chandi Siva Temple with the building of the bridge across the ocean.

The story continues in Chandi Brahma Temple.

It begins with Vibhishana's defection to Rama's camp.

Rama's envoy Angada goes to Ravana's palace.

Monkeys on the march.

Preparation for war.

Indrajit attacks Rama and Lakshmana with Nagapasha.

The battle between Rama and Ravana.

The awakening of Kumbakarna.

The death of Kumbakarna.

Queen Mandodari and Sita being informed of Ravana's death.

Rama and Sita reunited.

Rama enthroned in Ayodhya.

Scandalous gossip concerning Sita.

Lakshmana escorts Sita to the forest.

Sita arrives in Valmiki's hermitage.

Sita gives birth to Lava and Kusha.

Rama meets his sons.

Lava and Kusha sing the story of Rama.

Valmiki recounts to Rama all that had happened.

Finally a scene of celebration with sages feasting in a ceremonial banquet.

Om Namah Sivaya

Viraja
04 January 2013, 11:07 AM
These Indonesian temples have such a wonderful architecture... they look magnificent. On related news today, 'Swaminarayan Mandir' has been completed for a budget of $100 Million and opened for public in LA, USA. It looks like this magnificent temple in Indonesia, this picture is from Dinamalar.com:




http://img.dinamalar.com/data/large/Tamil_News_large_619845.jpg

Believer
04 January 2013, 01:11 PM
Namaste ShivaFan,

Did you happen to go to Yogyakarta? We were there a couple of months back and I posted some of the pictures I took in my thread 'My Travels....', I believe in the Canteen section. It truly is a wonderful piece of architecture.

Pranam.

ShivaFan
04 January 2013, 06:37 PM
Namaste Believer

Regarding this temple, I was working on my Ramayana research notes and was analyzing the order of the Ramayana panels at this temple to compare the epic chronicles in this Javanese rendition with the order of the chronicles of other reveled Ramayanas. Then I decided to post some portion of the notes about this temple.

No, I have not been to this temple, but I sure wish and I would like to explore it. Yes, I viewed your wonderful travel photos and travel logs since I enjoy them very much, especially the photos both from you and EM! You are very blessed to be such a world traveler, and I loved the photos you shared. Also any insights are appreciated immensely!

Namaste Aspirant01

The Swaminarayan Temple you share is stunning! It is very beautiful and impressive. Just two days ago, I brought my Mother In-Law to the same BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha temple I had visited and shared in a previous posting where I shared a cell-phone photo of Shiva-Parvati murti. But this temple you shared is really something in architectural art and effect, and the locals are very blessed to have such a temple near-by. I like their temples immensely.

Om Namah Sivaya