Since 9th century Yogyakarta has been the center of political and cultural
activities. During 9th - 16th century Yogyakarta is known as Hindu Mataram kingdom, and from 16th
century Yogyakarta known as Islamic Mataram. The greatness of Yogyakarta in the pas is proved by the
heritages such as Borobudur, Prambanan, the ruin of Dieng, and the living tradition of people an old
place in Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta in the 10th century controlled all java island even Bali under king
Balitung. As the historic city Yogyakarta has many interesting places to visit. As a resort and culture
tourism Yogyakarta is ranked just after Bali. Yogyakarta as the center of Javanese culture has been
attracting international visitors, and this has inspired the establishment of various hotels, medium
class hotels, up to luxury hotels. The construction of hotels in Yogyakarta is mostly in the city.
Yogyakarta as the center of Javanese culture has various hotels from simple Yogyakarta hotels, medium
category Yogyakarta hotels and deluxe Yogyakarta hotels. Most of Yogyakarta hotels are located within
the city with the construction of both tower and low rise building. Along well known Malioboro street
there are many middle category Yogyakarta hotels, and even the oldest Yogyakarta hotels such as
Ambarukmo Palace hotel and Natour Garuda Hotel belong to our government. Hyatt Regency is the new
one.
Borobudur Temple
The Borobodur Temple complex is one of the greatest monuments in the world. It is of uncertain age, but
thought to have been built between the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth century A.D. For
about a century and a half it was the spiritual center of Buddhism in Java, then it was lost until its
rediscovery in the eighteenth century. The structure, composed of 55,000 square meters of lava-rock is
erected on a hill in the form of a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces
and a central stupa forming the summit. The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred
flower of Buddha. For each direction there are ninety-two Dhyani Buddha statues and 1,460 relief scenes.
The lowest level has 160 reliefs depicting cause and effect; the middle level contains various stories
of the Buddha's life from the Jataka Tales; the highest level has no reliefs or decorations whatsoever
but has a balcony, square in shape with round walls: a circle without beginning or end. Here is the
place of the ninety-two Vajrasattvas or Dhyani Buddhas tucked into small stupas. Each of these statues
has a mudra (hand gesture) indicating one of the five directions: east, with the mudra of calling the
earth to witness; south, with the hand position of blessing; west, with the gesture of meditation;
north, the mudra of fearlessness; and the center with the gesture of teaching. Besides being the
highest symbol of Buddhism, the Borobodur stupa is also a replica of the universe. It symbolizes the
micro-cosmos, which is divided into three levels, in which man's world of desire is influenced by
negative impulses; the middle level, the world in which man has control of his negative impulses and
uses his positive impulses; the highest level, in which the world of man is no longer bounded by
physical and worldly ancient desire. It is devotional practice to circumambulate around the galleries
and terraces always turning to the left and keeping the edifice to the right while either chanting or
meditating. In total, Borobodur represents the ten levels of a Bodhisattva's life which he or she must
develop to become a Buddha or an awakened one.
Prambanan Temple
Built in the 10th century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. Rising
above the center of the last of these concentric squares are three temples decorated with reliefs
illustrating the epic of the Ramayana, dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities (Shiva,
Vishnu and Brahma) and three temples dedicated to the animals who serve them.
Hindu Temple at Dieng Plateu
Four hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau. Here are found some of the oldest Hindu temples of Java.
These small monuments which are not more than 50 feet high stand on a crater floor amidst sulphurous
fumes and a shrugged majesty, underlined by the presence of a few of the starkest Shivaite temples at
an elevation of more than 6.000 feet, is impressive. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through
tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery. The beauty of Prambanan temple has born a myth
among the palace and the people of Yogyakarta, this is about the virgin of South Sea called Ratu Kidul.
The people of Yogyakarta believe that one of the king of Yogyakarta married the Ratu ( Princess ) of
Kidul who give strong power to the king in ruling their country. So every certain day a big ceremony
is conducted to homage Ratu Kidul at the south Sea, around the beach of Bantul district. |
Discover Various Hotels in Yogyakarta city the basis of travel to
Borobudur Buddhist Temple and other old cultural heritages of Javanese. List of hotels in Yogyakarta City from simple
to most deluxe category with full descriptions of facilities.
Some important information on travel related program
can be found below. Yogyakarta is the most important
place for international travelers on the island of Java.
The number of interesting places especially from historical
remains of ancient Hindu kingdom of Mataram are amazing including also from Sultanate of Mataram
after the changes of Hindu into Islam.
Borobudur, Prambanan, Sewu, Pawon, Mendut are some of
the ancient temple of Hindu and Buddhist. Jogyakarta
juga has very interesting artwork such as silver accessories
and decoration, batik clothing in handmade, and various
art made in Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta hotels gives travellers the best base to explore the heritages of
the center of javanese culture. There are various categories of Yaogyakarta hotels that can cater any
budget plan with short or long staying cultural interest travellers.
