Borobudur ---- TEH WEI SZE 1101057

Borobudur is a 9^th- century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is a largest Buddhist temple in the world and built between 778-850 AD during the reign of theSailendra Dynasty. The monument has six square platforms topped by three circular platforms. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Besides, a main dome on the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues inside perforated stupas. Originally, it was probably plastered white, and painted in bright colours. There must have been a substantial monastery for the monks who looked after the structure and the pilgrims.

 

Borobudur was abandoned and hidden centuries under layer of volcanic and thick jungle growth. There is no recorded that why to built Borobudur. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.