Prambanan – the Pride of Hinduism in Java, Indonesia

by Exotissimo Traveler

What is Java's main religion? Well, the majority of Indonesia is Muslim, in fact it is the world's largest Muslim country in terms of population. So, it is the same in Java?
Yes it is, actually. But Indonesia is a very diverse country, with different people adhering to a vast array of faiths. One of which is Hinduism. And the greatest testament to the Hindu faith in Java is…Prambanan.
If you love to discover a destination's heritage and history, then visiting temples is a must. Java is home to many, one of which is the impressive ruins of Prambanan. Come here and witness some history. This is the largest Hindu complex in Indonesia, if not the entire Southeast Asia region. And its iconic tall and pointed roofs towering over the surrounding land have earned this complex recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plus the fact that it has stood the test of time and remained standing after over 1100 years must have helped with the recognition too.
You would think that a large, massive and unique looking structure like Prambanan would be enshrined as the national symbol of the country. Well, in most cases, and most countries yes, that would be the case. But not here. Don't forget you have Borobudur nearby, another massive and impressive UNESCO Site. There are also several Hindu and Buddhist temples nearby, namely Candi Plaosan and Candi Sambisari, just to name a few.
Set aside a full day for temple exploration in Java (in fact, maybe even more), just because there's a whole bunch here! Start your Prambanan, Solo & Sukuh Temple daytrip at where else? From there, head over to Solo, home to visit Mangkunegaran Palace. The 18th century structure houses an extensive collection of 14th century jewelry, majestic silverworks, traditional Javanese weapons and classical dancing body ornaments. Feeling majestic yet?
Wait, there's more. Remember us mentioning about Candi Sukuh before? Well, you'll be treated by its 910 meter above sea level location, its pyramidal shape and spectacular jungle surroundings.