Visiting the Borobudur on Java, Indonesia – Largest Buddhist Temple Complex in the World

The Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world, something you really must visit when travelling across Java. I found it super impressive to be there. I wandered around there for quite a while and of course touched a Buddha statue. This was said to bring good luck I heard!

It was so many years ago, in January 2012, I visited the Borobudur in Java, Indonesia. I loved walking around this place. I loved Asia. It was the start of my addiction to travel and was sucking everything in! In the jungle of Java, I then suddenly found myself in front of this impressive structure the Borobudur! It is and feels like so long ago already…..

World’s largest Buddhist temple complex

I love those rows of Stupa’s and the views over the background, the jungle!

I loved the experience of travelling and the setting of the Borobudur, so in the middle of the jungle, super surprising.

My trip consisted of me travelling across Java back to the island of Bali.Even then, I thought it was quite an undertaking. After all, this was the first time I was travelling on spec. Something I don’t turn my hand to now.

Where is the Borobudur on Java?

From the city of Yogyakarta, you can easily plan a trip to the Borobudur, which is about 35 km away. The temple complex is located in the Kedu Valley near Magelang, which is also close to the Merapi volcano.

What does Borobudur mean?

Literally, it means Buddhist temple on the mountain. This is still in the ancient Sanskrit language that flowed into Java with Indian migrants until the 7th century. As well as Hinduism then and later Buddhism mixed with Indonesian culture.

I can tell you that if there is one temple in Java that you should not miss it is, of course, the Borobudur. And take your time there so you can walk the plateaus at your leisure and take in the ancient history.

Standing like this at the beginning of this path and seeing the temple in front of you, it is super impressive! The Bordobudur is also much higher than I had imagined. It is 9 plateaus and on each plateau there are dozens of Buddha statues.

On the first plateau you can see many carvings in the stones, you can also see the different influences from other cultures and backgrounds, Hindu and Buddhism. At the time the Borobudur was built, the rulers were from that faith, now it is the Muslim faith.

The Borobudur, or Barabudur, is a ninth-century Mahayana temple of the Buddhist faith. It stands in Mageland, central Java and is, of course, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.

Is the Borodudur a Mandala?

The temple is a giant tantric Mandala when viewed from above. Of course, that alone makes Borobudur amazing. I don’t think you are allowed to fly a drone there but how amazing that would look! I drew mandalas for a long time…. because of that you often repeat shapes it has something meditative. That background will also be going on here.

The borobudur itself is round with its plateaus symbolising the sky / celestial and the whole thing stands on a square base symbolising the earth. The entire mandala that then becomes visible symbolises the universe.

Dress code Borobudur

When I got there, I was wearing shorts and could rent a sarong as this was too short. I see my knees are still visible in the picture which is not the intention. Good to take note of though. If you bring a sarong or other cloth you will be fine!

The dress code for the Borobudur is that you must have your shoulders and knees covered. At the entrance, I did rent a sarong but did not wear it properly. So if, like me, you are wearing trousers that are too short, that is solved by renting a sarong.

Legend of the Borobudur

Legend has it that if you could touch the Buddha inside the stupa, eternal happiness would fall to you. Naturally, I tried that and I can tell you that I touched the Buddha statue. As a result, I feel like a lucky person 🙂

I walked around for quite a long time. At one point I lost my travel buddy, she had seen it all for a long time and was waiting for me downstairs. I tried to get another photo with as few people on it as possible. Pretty tricky during the day at such a temple that everyone must have seen and visited!

I really like the picture below. This one hung on the wall in my house for a very long time.

Seeing the world over Buddha’s shoulder

Do you see the vulcano Mt Merapi in the background?

Costs for visiting Borobudur

I read that the cost has gone up and that for climbing, as I did in 2012, an extra ticket needs to be bought. So if, like me, you want to go to Borobudur and also walk up and between the stupas, it will cost you a total of 445,000 INR. (This is still only 5 euros converted)

You will then be allowed to enter the temple complex for an hour with a guide and you will need to wear special slippers to avoid damaging the temple.

You can book your ticket and tour Borobudur in advance so you don’t have to think about that anymore.

Also visit Prambanan?

The area is surrounded with jungle.  And there is also another temple to visit there, it’s called Prambanan. A part of this trip was also to visit that one ofcourse. Also a great building. It is a 9th century Hindu temple, the largest one of Indonesia and one of the biggest in South East Asia. The main tower of the temple is 47 metres high.

I loved visiting this place. It is unique in the world and I would love to come back one day!

Have you been here? How did you like it?

Want to see some other places to visit in Indonesia?

Cooking class at Juwita’s Cafe – Samosir

Touring the Harau Valley – Bukittinggi

Seeing the Orangutan in the Rainforest – Bukit Lawang

Sleeping on a volcano – Marapi