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.YOGYAKARTA TRAVEL PLANNER
The
first kingdom in central Java probably grew up arround the need for a
collective solution to problem of irrigation works. the kongdoma of the
firrst milleniun AD left many fine archeological remains: the hindu temples
of the Dieng Plateau, Gedong Sogo near Ambarawa Sukuh and Cetho temple
to the east of Surakarta and the famous Prambanan group of temples just
out side Yogyakarta; buddist monuments such as Candi Sewu near Yogyakarta
and the world famous such as Candi sewu near Yogyakarta and the world
famous Borobudur. Also dating from this period are the palace ruins at
Ratu Boko, just South of Prambanan. Carving on some of these temples give
a vivid impresion of the arts and daily life of the period, while some
easrly literary works in the Old Javanese language, using a script based
on Indian models, allow us a direct glimpse into culture of the time.
The
early kingdoms which created these monuments fell into decline after a
massive erouption of Mount Merapi in 1006 A.D and the subsequent rise
of rivals kingdom in East Java but hindu culture of that early period
has left a lasting mark on the palace arts of today, particularly in the
use of the Indian Ramayana and Mahabarata epiccs as the basis for Javanese
Classical theatre form. If you ant to lok for an explanation of the special
place that Yogyakarta (know to local as Jogja) has in hearts and mind
of Indonesians, these word from the much loved c wayang kulit ( shadow
play) are a good palce to start. Streching from the peak of Mount Merapi
in tyhe North to coast of southern Oceans, and bounded by the Progo and
Opak riverss the Sultanate of Yogyakarta matches the classic descriptions
of the shape of a kingdom from Javanese literature.
Yogyakarta
is one of the most important culture centres of javanese. At the heart
of the city is the Kraton ods Sultan's palace, still inhabited and still
nurturing the arts as it has done for the past 250 years. Try sampling
gamelan music and dance in kartaion itself on Sunday morning.Most interresting
tourist sites in Yogyakarta are aound the kraton area it's self. Not only
is the Sultan's palace but the royal Mosque, Sono budoya museum, and of
course the mysterious Taman Sari-sometime known as the water Castle now
largerly in ruins but still impressive. At its Noth entrance is the Pasar
Ngasem bird market, which attests to Javanese love of caged birds, perticularly
singing dove. Yogyakarta
is an excellent base for some interessting side strips around central
java. to the south of yogyakarta , on the coast of southern ocean, lies
parang tritis. though prangtritis has a long strech of black sand beach
and some lovely sand dunes, the surf is too fierce for swimming and the
village is more interesting as a centre of javanese mycticism than as
a coventional beach resort. it is there that the sultan of yogyakarta
comes for ceremonies connected with the legendary goddess of the soutern
oceans kanjeng ratu kidul.
An
hours drive from yogyakarta takes you to Borobudur , the most cebrated
ancient monument in Indonesia. Originaly dating from the 9th century AD.
Borobudur was planned as a place of 
pilgrimage
rather than aas a center for major ceremonies. The pilgrim to Borobudur
walked around four galleries of relief curvings telling stories from the
lives of the Boddhisatvas (incarnations of the buddha), before circling
three concentric rings of stupa containing statues of the buddha before
reaching the final, empty stu[pa at the top of the monument. There is
now an achaeological museum at the site telling the story of Borobudur's
building, rediscovery and restoration. It is best to go early in the morning
on a weekday to get a chance of seeing the monument free of huge milling
crowds. The 9th century pilgrim was expected to visit two preparations
temples Mendut and Pawon .
Just
out of Yogyakarta to the north East , along the roads to Surakarta, lies
the prambanan temple complex. Very different in caracter from Borobudur,
the main 
Prambanan
Complex dates from 9 th century AD and was probably built as an execise
in triumphalism following the return of a Hindu dynasty of power. Unlike
Borobudur , which from a distance has a low unssuming profile, the spires
of Prambanan were built to impress from a long way away. The main Complex,
containing, six large temples has now been fully restored, but more than
200 smaller temples which once surronded the central area still lie in
ruin. The main area contains three large temples dedicated to the Hindu
deities Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, with three smaller temples facing them
dedicated to deities odes of transport: the bull Nandi for Shiva the eagle
for Vishnu and the swam for Brahma. Many of the original staues still
survive, and are among the finest Hindu- Javanese work art. Arround the
gallery of the central temple are frieze carving telling the story of
Ramayana.
