Prambanan — Roro Jonggrang's Oath

Your journey begins at the heart of the Prambanan Archaeological Park, near the main entrance, where a million annual visitors have walked the same grounds since 1920. It is here, in the footsteps of the Sanjaya dynasty, that Candi Shiva Mahadeva, the main temple dedicated to Shiva, was erected around 850 AD. Standing at 47 meters high with its 30 m x 30 m square base, this monument testifies to the grandeur of Hinduism in Central Java. A 3-meter-high Shiva statue still guards the central sanctuary, watching over the secrets of the past. The restoration of this UNESCO-listed complex, which began in 1918 by the Dutch Archaeological Society, followed its discovery in 1814.

A few steps from Candi Shiva Mahadeva, stands Candi Vishnu, another major temple built around 850 AD and dedicated to the god Vishnu. With its 33 meters in height and a 25 m x 25 m base, it forms, along with Shiva and Brahma, the Hindu Trimurti. This temple is accessible to visitors and underwent significant restorations between 1953 and 1993, where 60% of the original blocks could be reused. As you approach, you will feel the echo of ancestral rituals that have imbued these stones, as the morning sun illuminates the reliefs adorning its walls, narrating mythological episodes.

Heading east, you will discover Candi Brahma, the third temple of the Trimurti, also built around 850 AD and reaching 33 meters. This temple, dedicated to Brahma, the creator, completes the divine trio of Prambanan. It is located east of the central temple and is a key point of interest during a 1.5 km walk around the main entrance. Its history is marked by abandonment after the 10th century, following volcanic eruptions from Mount Merapi, a powerful reminder of nature's force that shaped the landscape of Java.

Your exploration will then lead you to the Buddhist complex of Candi Sewu, located approximately 1 km north of Prambanan. Dated from 782-898 AD, this site is also a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991. With its 249 satellite temples surrounding the main temple, Candi Sewu means 'thousand temples' in Javanese, a name that resonates with the legend of Roro Jonggrang and Bandung Bondowoso. The restoration of this vast complex began in 1919, revealing the peaceful coexistence of Hindu and Buddhist traditions in this historical region of Java.

Finally, your quest will bring you back to Candi Shiva Mahadeva to contemplate the commemorative plaque of Durga Mahisasuramardini. This statue of Durga, a form of Parvati, is mythically linked to Roro Jonggrang, transformed into stone. Standing 2.4 meters tall and dated to the 9th century, the original was preserved at the British Museum as early as 1803, but a replica is on site. It is here that the legend takes on its full meaning, offering you a deep understanding of the myths surrounding these temples. Your journey through Prambanan concludes, having unlocked the secrets of these structures, silent witnesses to Java's history and legends.