Borobudur is one of the largest and most beatiful monument in Asia. It
is about 42 kilometres west of jogyakarta or 93 kilometres south of
semarang. Constructed during the golden age of the Sailendra dynasty
in the eighth century and dedicated to the glory of Buddha, it
combines the influences of many rich cultures.
According to the experts,the structure has more than two million
stones and a volume of 55,000 cubic metres. On every floor,along its
corridors there are reliefs depicting various sacred tales that
stretch for about 13 kilometer. There are more than 1.400 stupas and
about 430 statues in the temple.
After centuries of neglect a large part of the monument was overgrown
with moss and lichen,and Borobudur was in danger of disappearing
altogether. Its structure was beginning to crumble because of the
tropical climate,earthquakes,and landslides. Humadity and mould had
also been eating away its sculptures.To save the monument from total
destruction,indonesia requested UNESCO'S help in drawing up an overall
plan for its restorattion. Twenty-seven member states and a large
number of non-governmental organizations contributed more than six and
a half million dollars for that great project. Indonesia provided the
greater part oe the expenditure to rescue the temple.
The project required coordinated work over a period of more than ten
years by hundreds of scientist,archaelogists,technicians and manual
workers. For example,they had to register and move a million blocks of
stones and restore 10,000 more in the body of the monument. On 23rd
february 1983 the restoration was complete. Borobudur can last for
another 1000 years.
For the indonesian people Borobudur is not only temple it is proff
that our foreftthers had achieved a very advansced civilization a long
time ago. Indonesia will continue to develop the environment of the
temple for the purpose of education. The temple,the archaeological
garden,the archaeological museum and the library will draw more
attention from scientists and researchers,as well as tourists.
is about 42 kilometres west of jogyakarta or 93 kilometres south of
semarang. Constructed during the golden age of the Sailendra dynasty
in the eighth century and dedicated to the glory of Buddha, it
combines the influences of many rich cultures.
According to the experts,the structure has more than two million
stones and a volume of 55,000 cubic metres. On every floor,along its
corridors there are reliefs depicting various sacred tales that
stretch for about 13 kilometer. There are more than 1.400 stupas and
about 430 statues in the temple.
After centuries of neglect a large part of the monument was overgrown
with moss and lichen,and Borobudur was in danger of disappearing
altogether. Its structure was beginning to crumble because of the
tropical climate,earthquakes,and landslides. Humadity and mould had
also been eating away its sculptures.To save the monument from total
destruction,indonesia requested UNESCO'S help in drawing up an overall
plan for its restorattion. Twenty-seven member states and a large
number of non-governmental organizations contributed more than six and
a half million dollars for that great project. Indonesia provided the
greater part oe the expenditure to rescue the temple.
The project required coordinated work over a period of more than ten
years by hundreds of scientist,archaelogists,technicians and manual
workers. For example,they had to register and move a million blocks of
stones and restore 10,000 more in the body of the monument. On 23rd
february 1983 the restoration was complete. Borobudur can last for
another 1000 years.
For the indonesian people Borobudur is not only temple it is proff
that our foreftthers had achieved a very advansced civilization a long
time ago. Indonesia will continue to develop the environment of the
temple for the purpose of education. The temple,the archaeological
garden,the archaeological museum and the library will draw more
attention from scientists and researchers,as well as tourists.
