Borobudur

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Why
Borobudur
is special

It is the world's largest Buddhist stupa. It's ten stories high and measures over 120 meters (400 feet) per side.

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Borobudur
tips & insights

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Built then abandoned

It was constructed around the 8th century and, centuries later, was abandoned. Eventually, accumulated dirt and volcanic ash half buried Borobudur and wild vegetation covered the rest.

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Reclaimed

A British colonial officer came upon the semi-hidden Borobudur in 1814. A minor restoration was made in the early 1900s. However, it was never repaired to a respectable degree until 1984, the year UNESCO finished its decade-long project. Borobudur was literally taken apart and reassembled stone block by stone block.

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Terraces

Borobudur has nine concentric terraces. The six bottom ones are square, the three top ones are round.

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Relief panels

The square terraces are trimmed with over 1000 Buddhist relief panels. They depict Buddhism scenes and are the greatest treasure of Borobudur. I spent a long time admiring them.

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Bell-shaped stupas

The round terraces are garnished with over 70 bell shaped stupas (see photo). Originally, each housed a statue of Buddha (and some still do).

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Prayer ritual

Buddhist pilgrims have a praying ritual. The worshippers walk clockwise around Borobudur, one terrace at a time, starting at the bottom. Reaching the top of the monument is symbolic of attaining Nirvana.

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