Candi Borobudur

Borobudur was likely founded around 800 AD, built by an architect, named is Gunadharma. Little is known about this architect. His name is actually recounted from Javanese legendary folk tales rather than written in old inscriptions. He was said to be one who "... bears the measuring rod, knows division and thinks himself composed of parts.

This corresponds to the period between 760–830 AD, the peak of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java, when it was under the influence of the Srivijayan Empire. The construction has been estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign of Samaratungga in 825.

There is confusion between Hindu and Buddhist rulers in Java around that time. The Sailendras were known as ardent followers of Lord Buddha, though stone inscriptions found at Sojomerto suggest they may have been Hindus.[18] It was during this time that many Hindu and Buddhist monuments were built on the plains and mountain around the Kedu Plain. The Buddhist monuments, including Borobudur, were erected around the same time as the Hindu Shiva Prambanan temple compound. In 732 AD, the Shivaite King Sanjaya commissioned a Shivalinga sanctuary to be built on the Ukir hill, only 10 km (6.2 miles) east of Borobudur.

Construction of Buddhist temples, including Borobudur, at that time was possible because Sanjaya's immediate successor, Rakai Panangkaran, granted his permission to the Buddhist followers to build such temples. In fact, to show his respect, Panangkaran gave the village of Kalasan to the Buddhist community, as is written in the Kalasan Charter dated 778 AD. This has led some archaeologists to believe that there was never serious conflict concerning religion in Java as it was possible for a Hindu king to patronize the establishment of a Buddhist monument; or for a Buddhist king to act likewise.

However, it is likely that there were two rival royal dynasties in Java at the time—the Buddhist Sailendra and the Saivite Sanjaya—in which the latter triumphed over their rival in the 856 battle on the Ratubaka plateau. This confusion also exists regarding the Lara Jonggrang temple at the Prambanan complex, which was believed that it was erected by the victor Rakai Pikatan as the Sanjaya dynasty's reply to Borobudur, but others suggest that there was a climate of peaceful coexistence where Sailendra involvement exists in Roro Jonggrang

Candi Prambanan

Once upon a time in Java Island, especially in Prambanan, there are two Hindu kingdoms, they are Pengging and Kraton Boko. Pengging Kingdom is a prosperous and welfare kingdom that is lead by a wise king named Prabu Damar Moyo who has a son named Raden Bandung Bondowoso.

Kraton Boko is a part of Pengging Kingdom jurisdiction who is lead by a cruel and fully anger king that is not a man but a giant who is a man eater, named Prabu Boko. However, Prabu Boko has a very beautiful daughter named Princess Loro Jonggrang. Prabu Boko also has a minister named Patih Gupolo that is a giant too. Prabu Boko has a desire to revolt and has control over Pengging Kingdom. Therefore, together with Patih Boko, they gathered the power by training men to become soldiers and collect goods from civil people as provisions.

After having enough preparation, Prabu Boko and all soldiers go to Pengging Kingdom to revolt. Then the war between Pengging and Boko Soldier happen in Pengging kingdom. A lot of soldiers died from both side. People of Pengging become suffer, hunger and poor.

Knowing that his people were suffering and there were lots of soldiers died, Prabu Damar Moyo send his son, Raden Bandung Bondowoso to have a battle with Prabu Boko. The fighting between Raden Bandung Bondowoso and Prabu Boko was very furious. Because of the power of Raden Bandung Bondowoso, Prabu Boko can be defeated and died. When Patih Gupalo found out that his king has died, he ran away from the battle. Raden Bandung Bondowoso chases him to Kraton Boko.

After arrive at Kraton Boko, Patih Gupalo reported to Princess Loro Jonggrang that her father has died in the battle, that he was killed by a Pengging knight named Raden Bandung Bondowoso. Then the princess cries, she is very sad because of the death of her father.

Raden Bandung Bondowoso finally arrives at Kraton Boko. He is surprise when he saw Princess Loro Jonggrang that is very beautiful, so he propose her to become his wife.

However, Princess Loro Jonggrang does not want to marry Raden Bandung Bondowoso because he has killed her father. To refuse his propose, Princess Loro Jonggrang has a strategy. She has 2 requests that should be fulfilled by Raden Bandung Bondowoso so that she will agree to marry him. The first request is that she asks him to make Jalatunda well. The second one she asks him to make 1000 temples in one night.

Raden Bandung Bondowoso accepts the requests. Immediately he starts to make Jalatunda Well and asks Princess Loro Jonggrang to see it. Then, Princess Loro Jonggrang asks Raden Bandung Bondowoso to go into the well, and after that she ordered Patih Gupolo to pile up the well with stone. Both Princess Loro Jonggrang and Patih Gupolo thought that Raden Bandung Bondowoso already died in the well, however Raden Bandung Bondowoso still alive. He meditated and finally he can get out form the well safely.

Raden Bandung Bondowoso was very angry with Princess Loro Jonggrang and look after her, but because of her beauty, his anger become calm down.

After that, Princess Loro Jonggrang asking Raden Bandung Bondowoso to do the second request which is to make 1000 temples in one night. Therefore Raden Bandung Bondowoso commanded jinn to make the temples immediately. However Princess Loro Jonggrang intends to foil his effort to make the temples. She ordered the girls to pound and burn stubbles, so that it looks like bright that means the morning has come and make the cocks crowing loudly.

Hearing the cock crowing and people pounding rice and also see the brightness in east, therefore the jinn stop making temples. Jinn reported to Raden Bandung Bondowoso that they cannot continue build the temple because morning has come. Raden Bandung Bondowoso got the feeling that morning has not come yet. He ask Princess Loro Jonggrang to count the amount of the temples and come out that the total is only 999 temples, there is still 1 temple left. Therefore Princess Loro Jonggrang refused to marry Raden Bandung Bondowoso. Feeling deceived Raden Bandung Bondowoso become very angry and curse her "Loro Jonggrang, there is only 1 temple left, let you be the one to make it complete". It was a miracle that suddenly Princess Loro Jonggrang transformed to a stone statue.

Until today, the stone statue of Princess Loro Jonggrang is still in Candi Prambanan and Raden Bandung Bondowoso cursed the girls around Prambanan area to become old virgins because they have helped Princess Loro Jonggrang.

Based on what is believed by old people, the couple who are dating in Prambanan temple will be broke up.

Lake Toba and Samosir Island

World famous is the crater Toba Lake in the Batak highlands; approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle

Once upon a time, lived a young orphan farmer in the northern part of the Sumatran Island. This area was very dry. The young man lived from farming and fishing. One day he went fishing, he had already fished for half of the day but still hadn't got any fish. So he returned home as the day was quickly turning into night, as he was leaving he saw a big beautiful golden fish, he caught the fish and brought it home. He intended to cook the fish right away but was overwhelmed by its beauty. He withdrew his intention of a meal and chose to keep it as pet. He placed it in a big pond and fed it. On the next day, like usual, he went to his farm, and returned at noon to have lunch. Upon arriving at his house he was very startled for the meal had already been prepared and was ready to be served. He feared that the fish might be have been stolen, and hastily he ran to the back of his house.

However, the fish was still in its pond and for a long time he was thinking, “Who cooked this meal”. As he was very hungry, he decided to eat. This incident continued to occur again repeatedly, every time he came home for lunch, the meals were prepared on the table. Then one day this young man decided to find out who had been cooking his meals. The next day he cunningly started his plan, he hid around the trees close to his house. He was waiting for a long time, but the smoke from his chimmney was still not to be seen. It was until he had almost given up hope and decided to return back to his house that he saw smoke rising out of his chimmney.

When he entered the kitchen he saw before him a woman. "Hey woman, who are you, and where have you come from?” the woman began crying, and the young man saw out of the corner of his eye that his fish was no longer in the pond. He asked the woman, “hey woman, where is the fish in that pond?” the Woman cried intensely, but this young man continued to ask and finally the woman answered, “I was the fish that was caught by you”. The young man was startled at this admission and he felt that he had hurt the feelings this woman, then he continued, “Hey woman, do you want to become my wife?” the Woman, herself startled, stayed quiet, then the young man said “Why are you so silent?” the woman replied, “I wanted to become your wife, but with one condition.” ”What is the condition?” the young man quickly asked, the woman then said, “In the future if a child is born and grows up, not once must you mention that he or she was anakni Dekke (child of a fish) ”. The young man then agreed to that condition and swore he would never say it.

For daily needed they do farming. And they are happy family. Not for long time they have one child and give the name Samosir.

One day when Samosir bring a lunch to his father at farm, Samosir have accident, he down and the food droped, now the food already dirty. ButSamosir collecting all the food back and bring to his father. After arrived,Samosir call his father to get lunch, but he affraid to tell him the he get accident before he go to farm and the food was dirty.

When his father opened, he surprise Samosir bring a dirty food. And he angry to Samosir and said "Cause your are kid from fish, you bring to me dirty food.", Samosir crying that his father angry to him, and he go back his mom and make a report. Nauli crying too when her son Samosir tell to her.Nauli sad to Toba he broken promise, and Nauli hugging her son Samosirand tell him that all is true.

Nauli order Samosir to go to highland, this is consequence if your fatherSamosir broken his promise, i will return back as a fish. After Samosiralready in highland, Nauli pray wishes God bring she return back, and the rain coming make flood in Toba area and it become Lake. Nauli was back to her life as a fish. And the lake become Lake Toba and highland where samosir going become Samosir Island.