 Ratu Boko Temple is located some 19 km at the eastern side of Yogyakarta, and about two kilometers from Prambanan Temple.
The scenery of its surroundings is quite beautiful
This
archeological site lies on a small plateau about 196 meter above the
sea level. The remains cover the areas of two villages, Dawung and
Sambirejo, belong to Yogyakarta Special Territory Province, about 3 km
to the south of Prambanan Temples. The views from the plateau's ridge
are most beautiful during the dawn or in the late afternoon.
The
Ratu Boko structure are devided into three clusters. The first consits
of an impressive gateway and a large stone structure with a central
depression-perhaps ancient crematorium. The second set of ruins lies a
few hundred metres 500th. These consists of several stone fondations
and enclosures, including a set of bathing pools. The third cluster,
several hundred metres north of the first enclosure, consists of two
artificial meditation caves, a square pool and a staircase.
First
GroupIt's formed of 3 gates pressing close to each other, lies North to
South. The middle largest one is the First Main Gate flanked by two
gates called the Gates Flanker.
Second GroupIt's formed of 5 gates. Four Gates-Flanker flank the middle largest one called the Second Main Gates.
Temple
of LimestoneIt has the shape of base, about 5 x 5 square meter, made up
of limestone. This base is located in the north east, about 45 meter
from the first main gate.
Temple
of IncinerationIts location is in the north east, about 37 meter from
the Second Main Gate. This double-terraced base is 26 meters long, 26
meters wide, 3 meters high and made up of river stone. A well of 4 x 4
sq. m is found in the middle of its second terrace with a step on the
west side. A pool of 2 m long and 1 m wide is also found in the south
east of the well.
Group
of Paseban (Public Audience Hall) The rest of building which could be
found is just a stone structure of floor lying north to south. The
ruins of gate, fence and slope are also found here. There is a square
located in the north of the stone structure of floor.
Group of Pendopo (Royal Audience Hall)
Base
of PendopoThis measuring 20 m long 20 m wide and 1.25 m high is located
in the north. 20 round pedestals are found on the floor.
Base
of Pringgitan It measures 20 m long, 6 m wide and 1.25 m high is
located in the south. These two bases are surrounded by a fence which
is 40 m long, 36 m wide and 3 m high with decorations having the shape
of buds above it. The fences are equipped with 3 roofed gates in the
north, in the south and in the west side respectively. Three steps have
been made for climbing up to the bases.
Its
specialty and uniqueness lie in its location and kind of building which
are different from other remains in the same age. The name "Ratu Boko
Palace" (The Palace of the Eternal Queen) was given by the locals just
based on a legend of Ratu Boko (or Baka, the eternal), Rara Jonggrang's
father.
Ratu
Boko was probably built in about the 8th century by the Buddhist
Sailendras and later took over by Hindu Mataram. Van Boecjholzt
discovered it in 1790. In 1989 - 1990, P. Subroto in his research
concluded that there is a lot of similarities between the components of
Ratu Boko Palace and some early palaces in India. Who was the founder?
How long had it been dwelled? We haven't known them until today. In
fact, we even haven't known the function. Was it used as a royal park,
a palace, a fort or a shrine temple?
Base
of Public BuildingIts located outside the fence, about 1.5 meters to
the east. Its base which is 38 m long, 7 m wide and 1.5 m high lies
north to south. There 4 steps on the west side. 20 pedestals are found
on its floor. There are also 4 grooves which were possible used for
laying walls partitions.Bathing Palace (water reservoir)
This
complex lies to the east of Pendopo and consists of 3 groups. The
complex are bordered by rectangular fence. the first group consists of
3 square pools, two of them, pool A and B, lie north to south. There is
a gate between pool A and pool B. The second group consists of 8 round
pools devided into 3 rows.
Miniature
Temples these temples are located in the south east of The Pendopo and
are formed of 2 temple-flankers and middle largest one is called the
main temple.
Group of Keputren
(Princessly Palace) The third group consists of a rectangular pool
only, 31 x 8 square m, surrounded by the fence with 2 gates on the
south west side and the north east side. A ruined gate is found about
20 meter in the south of the other groups. A ruin of stone structure is
also found about 60 meters from that gate with its floor which is still
in good condition. Its base has the shape of a square measuring 20 m
long and 20 m wide. There are 28 pedestals on the floor.
Group of Caves These two caves are located on the south slope of a rocky hill.
Male
CaveIt lies about 300 m to the north east of Base of Paseban measuring
3.5 m long, 3 m wide and 1.5 m high. Two recesses are engraved on the
inside back wall and a recess on the other respective inside walls.
Female
CaveIt lies about 20 m to the south east of Base of Paseban and lower
than the Male Cave. This cave is smaller. A recess is engraved on the
inside back wall.
History of Ratu Boko Temple
An
ancient inscription made by Rakai Panangkaran around 746-184 AD said
that at the beginning buildings around Ratu Boko heritage site is
called Abhayagiri Wihara. Abhaya means no danger or peace. Wihara is
monk's dormitory located at the peaceful area on top of the hill.
Many
scientists like HJ DeGraff, Van Boeckholtz, Makenzie, Junghun and
Brumun attracted to make research and report their founding about the
heritage site at Ratu Boko Hill. Later, FDK Bosch made a research and
reported it which entitled "Kraton Van Ratoe Boko.
According
to FDK Bosch, the site at Ratu Boko Hill is known as kraton Ratu Boko.
People who live around the site usually call it as Dawung Temple just
like name of their village.
That
is why in some literatures and old map, Ratu Boko Hill written in 2
names : Dawung Temple and Kraton Ratu Boko van Ratoe Boko.
The
name of Kraton Ratu Boko comes from the word Kraton and Ratu Boko.
Kraton is from Ka-da-tu-an taht means King's or Rakai's Place. Ratu
Boko comes from the word Ratu which has the meaning as king and Boko is
heron.
This
understanding comes up with a question whether the King of Heron is the
ruler himself or the real bird. Therefor, people say that Ratu Boko
keeps a mystery up to now.
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