Prambanan is a stunningly beautiful building which is built in the 10th century during the reign of two kings, Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Rose as high as 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur Temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire to show Hindu triumph in the land of Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle of an area that now functions as beautiful park.
There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled, when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang be a statue of the 1000 because he felt cheated.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. The three temples are a symbol of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are 2 wedge temples, 4 color temples and 4 corner temples. In the second there are 224 temples.
Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find 4 rooms. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other 3 rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is touted as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend above.
In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of Shiva temple, you will only see one room containing a statue of Vishnu. Brahma temple is located south of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.
Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located near the Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, who was gold, white faced, red winged, like eagle. It is estimated, the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shining', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda is born handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).
The ability to save that which was admired by many people until now and used for various purposes. Indonesia used it to sign the country. That said, the creator of the emblem of Garuda Pancasila find inspiration in this temple. Other countries also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but the adaptation of different shape and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known or Krut Pha Krut.
Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. According to experts, the relief is similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described middle flanking a lion. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the people of the 9th century had wisdom to manage its environment.