Prambanan temples
Candi Prambanan · Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
The largest Hindu temple of ancient Java: a soaring Shiva temple, near Borobudur outside Yogyakarta.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Don't climb the temple stones or reliefs
- don't litter
- don't strike disrespectful poses in front of the deities
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Stories & people
Historias y personajes
Historia
Red writing on the balustrade
On a pinnacle of the balustrade of the Shiva temple, the word 'pikatan' was found written in red paint, showing that King Pikatan initiated the building of Prambanan. The Shivagrha inscription of 856, issued by King Lokapala, records that a Shiva temple like Prambanan was inaugurated on 12 November that year, and mentions that a nearby river was diverted to build the temple.
Fuente: Wikipedia: Prambanan
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
Prambanan is a 9th-century Hindu temple complex dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; it originally had 240 buildings and was the largest Hindu temple in ancient Java. Red lettering reading 'pikatan' was found on the pinnacles of the Shiva temple's balustrade, showing that it was initiated by King Pikatan. The Shivagrha inscription of 856 records that a Shiva temple like Prambanan was inaugurated on 12 November that year, and that a nearby river was diverted to build it.
Costumbres locales
- Keep quiet in the temple area
- locals also see it as a symbol of religion and culture
Religión y creencias
Hindu (mainly Shaivite).
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
Nyepi in Bali: a whole day of island-wide silence
- Stay in your accommodation all day, lights off and quiet
- Adjust flights and check-in or check-out dates in advance
- Going out into the street or to the beach
- Booking flights in or out of Bali on that day
Everyone on the island, including tourists, must comply; I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport closes for the whole day.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Indonesia travel advice
No lo haga DON'T
- Don't climb the temple stones or reliefs
- don't litter
- don't strike disrespectful poses in front of the deities
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
Locals appreciate visitors who don't climb the carvings and explore the temples quietly.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
| Mejor época | Afternoon to evening |
|---|---|
| Tiempo recomendado | 2–3 hours |
Consejos de viaje
- It's about half an hour by car from central Yogyakarta
- combined tickets with Borobudur are available (check official sources)
- the temple silhouettes at dusk are beautiful
- in the dry season (about May–September) the Ramayana ballet is performed at night in the open-air theatre beside the temples
Fuentes y notas de verificación
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