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Mark Moxon's Travel Writing

Indonesia: Borobudur

The reliefs of Borobudur
The reliefs of Borobudur

The temple complex of Borobudur, about 30km northwest of Yogyakarta, contains the biggest single Buddhist temple in the world; there are larger complexes elsewhere, notably in Cambodia, but none of the individual temples themselves are as big as the one at Borobudur. And it's absolutely massive; covering the top of a hill in a square that's about 120m by 120m, this huge construction is built in a series of layers, getting progressively smaller as you get to the top; if you think of a square-bottomed pyramid that's made up of thick layers, you're not far off. And if the size doesn't impress you, around each layer is an open corridor, smothered with sculptures and stone reliefs absolutely everywhere you look. It's stunning.

Two of the 72 stone dagobs
Two of the 72 stone dagobs
One of the many reliefs
One of the many reliefs
A contemplative Buddha at Borobudur
A contemplative Buddha