After catching the sunrise at Borobudur and checking out the nearby Mendut and Candi Pawon temples, it was time to continue my exploration of Yogykarta, Indonesia.
This time, I would be heading to the famed Prambanan Temple.
Visiting The Prambanan Temple (Yogykarta, Indonesia)
About The Prambanan Temple
Unlike Yogykarta’s other large and infamous temple, Borobudur, Prambanan is not a Buddhist temple, but rather a Hindu one.
Constructed during the same century as Borobudur (900’s C.E.), Prambanan is believed to be the Hindu king’s response to Borobudur. The temple was later abandoned likely due to an eruption of the Merapi Volcano, and then further destroyed in an earthquake in the 1500’s.
Prambanan was later “rediscovered”, this time by Europeans in 1811. Although looted and pillaged for much of its original building blocks, the temple had been mostly reconstructed by the government by 1953.
Today Prambanan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.
Location & Getting There
Prambanan Temple is located about 45 minutes due east from the Hyatt Regency Yogykarta (my base within the city), and a little under 2 hours from the Borobudur Temple to the west. It lies south of Mount Merapi on the border of the Yogykarta and Central Java zones.
The best [and only] way to get to the temple is by automobile, so I would highly recommend hiring a driver or a taxi for the day.
The Entrance To Prambanan Temple
The temple itself lies within a larger park.
Entrance to this section is free and there is a map and informational boards (and restrooms) as you enter the park from the large parking lot.
Map of the temple compound
The UNESCO sign makes it official
The Informational Boards
As you head west from the entrance, you’ll follow the beautiful walkway below which leads you to a picture-perfect point.
The first glimpse of the Prambanan Temple
Take a picture, it’ll last longer
Entrance To The Prambanan Temple Ruins
There is a small nominal fee to enter the grounds of the temple itself.
Once through the entrance, you are free to explore the ruins yourself.
Monument to the 2006 earthquake that shook the temple grounds and destroyed much of the temple
Entering The Temples
The Bramha Temple
Brahma statue inside the namesake temple
The interior of the Shiva Temple
The inside of the spire of the Shiva Temple
Shiva
Walking On The Temple Mezzanine
Bas Reliefs Of The Temple
The Temple Ruins From Afar
The Museum
To the north of the temple lies a small, but worthwhile museum.
This part of the park is the perfect place to take a stroll and there are even a couple of vendors selling snacks in this section of the park.
The Petting Zoo
As you make your way back to the entrance and parking lot from the museum, you’ll pass through a small petting zoo.
Again, I’d say this is a quick and worthwhile stop.
Indonesian Spotted Deer
Red passion-fruit flower
Cassowary
The Prambanan Temple park exit
Final Thoughts On Visiting The Prambanan Temple (Yogykarta, Indonesia)
Like Borobudur, the Prambanan Temple is an absolute must-see for travelers exploring the Yogykarta/Central Java region.
I’ll admit it, before my trip there, I was completely ignorant to the sheer wealth of ancient apex sites central Java had to offer.
I spent about a half-day exploring Prambanan (which is the norm), but I found it so interesting I could have easily stayed in the park longer.
I regret I didn’t have time to explore the many temples surrounding Prambanan, but like is so often the case, I now have another reason to return.
Cheers!
