Sept 7, 2025 – Day 2 in Yogyakarta, our Anniversary
We had a really early start on our anniversary. As we had to catch the Sunrise at Borobudur, we left the hotel at 4 am.
On the way we hardly saw cars, but several eateries were open and people were already sitting there. Iqbal, our guide told us that many eating joints open very early as people start the day early. We reached the Manohar resort that’s part of the Borobudur temple complex within an hour. We then changed cars to reach Dagi Hill, from where we could see the Borobudur temple at sunrise.
There was an exclusive arrangement made for us at Dagi Hill. As soon as we reached, we were offered amazing spice tea with ginger, cardamom, cloves etc, freshly brewed. A perfect way to start the day.
Ofcourse we took pics !! It was a little cloudy so the early morning light was dreamy and very beautiful.
We were served breakfast really early at 6 am. Indonesian people love rice, so all meals can be rice. We got a rice bowl with vegetables and mushroom “Tikki”. There was beautiful soothing music being played in the background which came from a traditional instrument. What a great way to start the day !!
After Breakfast we had a professor come over and explain the construction and concepts behind the Borobudur temple. After the session with the professor, we went down to the Manohar resort’s reception area to wait for our guide.
Note : You have to change into specially made slippers at the Manohar resort because many tourists used shoes with spikes or high heels and the pathways at the Borobudur temple got damaged. These special flip flops are made of grass and with a rubber sole.
Note 2 : Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, a place of reverence and spiritual experience. It was sad to see several tourists wearing shorts. The Indonesian people are very sweet and don’t object, but it’s incorrect to disrespect the local customs. Hope better sense prevails. The “White” man doesn’t rule anymore :).
Borobudur Temple
Our guide Mahmoud, a young man, came and met us a few minutes before 8.30 am. The Borobudur temple is a couple of minutes walk from the reception of Manohar resort. We walked upto the entrance and took a couple of pictures.
Do notice our footwear. These are the flip flops given by the Manohara resort.
Our guide Mahmoud was not only knowledgeable about the temple and its history, he was also a very good photographer. So all the pics that have both of us are clicked by him.
The Borobudur temple was built in the 8th century. It is the only Buddhist temple in the world which has 10 levels. Some crazy western tourist tried Parkour from the stupa on the 10th level so the officials have stopped allowing people to go there. We can climb upto the 9th level. Mahmoud showed us original floor plan of the temple. It’s shaped as a Lotus with its petals carved out of Lava stones from the Merapi volcano.
The Borobudur temple has many broken statues of Buddha as it has suffered a bomb attack besides natural calamities like Earthquake. Some of Buddha’s heads from Borobudur are found in museums across the world, including the British museum.
The stone steps are uneven in height and width, so one has to be careful as you step up or down.
Enjoy the Borobudur temple through our pics –
On the 9th level, there are 72 stupas and each one of them contained a Buddha statue. There are only 16 left now and except for one Buddha statue that is intact, all the others are headless. Can’t imagine anyone wanting to deface a statue 🙁 but so many of our temples in Bharat have been vandalised. So not surprising but terribly sad.
We took about 90 minutes to walk across all the levels at the Borobudur temple. This temple has 160 stone reliefs … will take a few more hours if we have to see them in detail. Helpful tip – visit the temple in the morning as the Sun just beats down on you by 10 am.
So happy that on our anniversary we could visit such an awe inspiring temple. May the Buddha bless the world with compassion and spiritual growth.
Do read – The “Kashi” Saree
Happy visit to Indonesia. Whenever I see Borobudur (only in pictures, not visited Indonesia), I always get an impression of the Divine Mahameru Yantra.