Borobudur, orÃÂ BarabudurÃÂ & x28;Indonesian:ÃÂ Candi Borobudur& x29; is a 9th-centuryÃÂ MahayanaBuddhistÃÂ templeÃÂ inÃÂ Magelang,ÃÂ Central Java,ÃÂ Indonesia, as well as theÃÂ world& x27;s largest Buddhist temple,[1][2]ÃÂ and also one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.[3]The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. The temple is decorated with 2,672ÃÂ reliefÃÂ panels and 504ÃÂ Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforatedÃÂ stupa.[4] Built in the 9th century during the reign of theÃÂ Sailendra Dynasty, the temple was designed inÃÂ JavaneseÃÂ Buddhist architecture, which blends theÃÂ IndonesianÃÂ indigenous cult ofÃÂ ancestor worshipÃÂ and the Buddhist concept of attainingÃÂ Nirvana.[3]ÃÂ The temple also demonstrates the influences ofÃÂ GuptaÃÂ art that reflectsÃÂ India& x27;s influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.[5][6]The monument is both aÃÂ shrineÃÂ to theÃÂ Lord BuddhaÃÂ and a place for BuddhistÃÂ pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around the monument and ascends to the top through three levels symbolic ofÃÂ Buddhist cosmology:ÃÂ KÃÂmadhÃÂtuÃÂ & x28;the world of desire& x29;,ÃÂ RupadhatuÃÂ & x28;the world of forms& x29; andÃÂ ArupadhatuÃÂ & x28;the world of formlessness& x29;. The monument guides pilgrims through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and theÃÂ balustrades. Borobudur has the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world.[3] Evidence suggests Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century and abandoned following the 14th-century decline ofÃÂ HinduÃÂ kingdoms in Java and theÃÂ JavaneseÃÂ conversion to Islam.[7]ÃÂ Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 byÃÂ Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by theÃÂ Indonesian governmentÃÂ andÃÂ UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCOÃÂ World Heritage Site.[3] Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year, Buddhists in Indonesia celebrateÃÂ VesakÃÂ at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia& x27;s single most visitedÃÂ tourist attraction.
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