A 9 th century Temple dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu & Brahma ---- The Prambanan Temple, Indonesia

A 9 th century Temple dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu & Brahma ---- The Prambanan Temple, Indonesia

Candi Prambanan or Candi Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva). The temple compound is located approximately 18 kilometres east of the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces.

The temple compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia

The architecture of Prambanan temple follows the typical Hindu architecture traditions based on Vastu Shastra. The temple design incorporated mandala temple plan arrangements and also the typical high towering spires of Hindu temples. Prambanan was originally named Shivagrha and dedicated to god Shiva. The temple was designed to mimic Meru, the holy mountain the abode of Hindu gods, and the home of Shiva. The whole temple complex is a model of Hindu universe according to Hindu cosmology and the layers of Loka. Originally there were a total of 240 temples standing in Prambanan. This holiest compound is assembled of eight main shrines or candi. The three main shrines, called Trimurti, are dedicated to the three Gods: Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Keeper, and Shiva the Destroyer.

The Shiva temple is the tallest and largest structure in Prambanan Loro Jonggrang complex, it measures 47 metres tall and 34 metres wide. The two other main shrines are that of Vishnu on the north side of Shiva shrine, and the one of Brahma on the south. Brahma and Vishnu temple measures 20 metres wide and 33 metres tall. The other three shrine in front of three main temples is dedicated to vehicle (vahana) of the respective gods – the bull Nandi for Shiva, the sacred swan Hamsa for Brahma, and Vishnu's Kite Garuda. The outer courtyard and the foot (base) part of each temples is symbolized the realm of bhurloka. The middle courtyard and the body of each temple symbolizes the realm of bhuvarloka. the highest and holiest realm, reserved for the gods. Also known as svargaloka. The inner courtyard and the roof of each temple symbolizes the realm of svarloka.

The present name of the temple, Prambanan', was derived from the name of Prambanan village where the temple stood, this name probably being the corrupted Javanese pronunciation of "Para Brahman" ("The Supreme Brahman")

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple of ancient Java, and the construction of this royal temple was probably started by Rakai Pikatan of the Hindu Sanjaya Dynasty. A temple was first built at the site around 850 CE by Rakai Pikatan and expanded extensively by King Lokapala and Balitung Maha Sambu the Sanjaya king of the Mataram Kingdom. The temple was built to honor Lord Shiva and its original name was Shiva-grha. According to Shivagrha inscription, a public water project to change the course of a river near Shivagrha Temple was conducted during the construction of the temple. The river, identified as the Opak River, now runs north to south on the western side of the Prambanan temple compound.

In the 930s, An eruption of Mount Merapi volcano, located north of Prambanan in central Java, or a power struggle probably caused the shift of court to East Java. That marked the beginning of the decline of the temple. It was soon abandoned and began to deteriorate. The temples themselves collapsed during a major earthquake in the 16th century. Although the temple ceased to be an important center of worship. The surrounding villages were aware of the temple's existence already before rediscovery. However, they didn't know about its historical background. As a result, the locals developed tales and legends trying to explain the origin of temples, most famous is Loro Jonggrang legend.

The temple officially caught the international attention in early 19th century. Half-hearted excavations by archaeologists in the 1880s merely facilitated looting. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918, and proper restoration only in 1930. The reconstruction of the main Shiva temple was completed around 1953 and inaugurated by Sukarno. Since much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites, restoration was hampered considerably. Shrines were only rebuilt if at least 75% of their original masonry was available. Most of the smaller shrines are therefore now only visible in their foundations, After the reconstruction of the main temples in 1990s, Prambanan once again reclaim its status as an important religious center for Hindu rituals and ceremonies in Java.