Indonesian temples: Borobudur, Prambanan, Java

This 8th-century Buddhist temple represents a major achievement of Javanese temple construction under the Mataram dynasty. The nine terraces form a pyramidal structure with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The reliefs depict scenes from Buddhist texts and daily life from the period of construction. The structure combines elements of Mahayana tradition with local architecture and documents the religious development in Central Java during this period.

This 9th-century Hindu temple complex comprises 240 temples and demonstrates the religious architecture of the Mataram Kingdom on Java. The central temple is dedicated to Shiva and reaches a height of 154 feet (47 meters). The stone structures feature reliefs from the Ramayana epic. The temples stand in an arrangement with three main temples for Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, surrounded by smaller shrines. The site documents Hindu culture in Central Java during the Mataram dynasty.

Candi Gedong Songo is a group of nine Hindu temples from the 8th century built at an elevation of 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) on the slopes of Mount Ungaran. This temple complex documents the early phase of Mataram architecture and features stone structures with reliefs dedicated to the god Shiva. The nine sanctuaries are connected by a trail through volcanic terrain, with hot springs in the area indicating the region's geothermal activity. These temples represent significant examples of architecture predating the construction of Borobudur and Prambanan.

This 11th-century temple complex consists of ten funerary monuments carved into rock niches, each standing 23 feet (7 meters) tall, located near the Pakerisan River. The monuments were built during the reign of King Anak Wungsu of the Udayana Kingdom and document the Hindu burial traditions of that era. The structures carved into volcanic stone display typical Balinese architectural elements with multi-tiered towers. The complex sits in a forested ravine and is accessed by stone staircases.

This 15th-century Hindu temple displays a pyramidal structure with stone reliefs depicting scenes from Javanese mythology. The complex differs from the typical Indonesian temple forms of the 8th to 14th centuries and documents later developments in religious architecture in Java. The reliefs show symbols and representations connected to Hindu traditions, while the pyramidal form represents a departure from the conventional temple construction methods of the Mataram and Singhasari kingdoms.

This eighth-century Buddhist temple contains two floors with niches and stone sculptures depicting Buddhist figures. The monument documents the religious architecture of the Mataram dynasty through its preserved reliefs and stonework. The structure displays typical features of Buddhist temple architecture in Java during this period.

This ninth-century temple complex consists of two main temples and 174 smaller shrines that combine Buddhist and Hindu elements of Javanese architecture. The stone structures display reliefs and sculptures dating back to the Mataram period. The site documents religious architecture during the flourishing era of Indonesian temple construction between the eighth and fourteenth centuries.

This 15th-century temple stands at an elevation of 4600 feet (1400 meters) on Mount Lawu and consists of seven ascending terraces. The complex documents the late phase of Hindu architecture in Java as Islamic expansion spread across the island. The structure differs from earlier Javanese temples through its pyramidal form and use of natural stone blocks. The terraces are connected by staircases and contain religious sculptures along with reliefs depicting figures from the Hindu pantheon.

This 11th-century Buddhist temple complex in Sumatra documents Buddhist architecture in Indonesia during the Mataram period. The site includes a central stupa measuring 14 meters (46 feet) in height along with four smaller stupas, decorated with stone reliefs and religious symbols. The structures display typical features of Buddhist temple architecture with tiered platforms and stone masonry.

This ninth-century Buddhist temple rises among rice paddies and documents the temple architecture of the Mataram dynasty on Java. The exterior walls display elaborate reliefs of religious figures and symbols from the Buddhist tradition. The stone structure was built following the same architectural principles as other Javanese temples from this period, featuring a central chamber and an eastern entrance. The monument stands in the Prambanan region and provides insight into the religious art and building methods of eighth through tenth-century Indonesia.

This Buddhist temple was built in 778 and displays architectural features of the Sailendra dynasty. The stone structure contains geometric motifs and Buddha figures. The site documents the development of Indonesian temple construction in the 8th century and belongs to the early Buddhist monuments in Java.

The Penataran temple was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and documents the Hindu architecture of the Singhasari and Majapahit kingdoms. The stone reliefs on the walls tell stories from the Ramayana epic and show scenes from Hindu mythology. The temple complex is located on Java and consists of several terraced levels with shrines, gates, and courtyards. The structures show the development of Javanese temple architecture over two centuries and document the religious practices of this period.

The Hindu temple features multiple levels and contains stone reliefs depicting scenes from the Mahabharata epic.

The temple complex combines Hindu and Buddhist architecture from the period of Singhasari Kingdom in the 13th century.

The excavation site contains temple structures and artifacts from the Mataram Kingdom period in the 9th century.

The temple was found in 1966 under a 6.5-meter layer of volcanic ash and subsequently excavated.

These Hindu temples from the 8th century represent some of the oldest religious structures on Java and document the early development of Mataram architecture. The eight surviving stone structures stand on a volcanic plateau at 6600 feet (2000 meters) elevation, surrounded by active fumaroles and hot springs. The temples bear names from Hindu mythology and display characteristic reliefs and sculptures corresponding to the religious practices of the period. The location in this geothermally active zone with sulfur vents and crater lakes illustrates the connection between natural phenomena and religious significance in Javanese culture.

This temple from the 13th century features a stone structure with three terraces and a water basin used for Hindu purification ceremonies. The structure documents religious practices during the Singhasari dynasty on Java. The rectangular basin is surrounded by stone walls and was part of a larger complex. The site was discovered in 1914 and now lies below street level. The Tikus Temple demonstrates the importance of water in the region's Hindu rituals and adds to the architectural heritage of Indonesian temples from the 8th to 14th centuries.