ISTANA RATU BOKO

Ratu Boko Palace is a magnificent building that was built during the reign of Rakai Panangkaran, one of the descendants of the Sailendra dynasty. The palace originally called Abhayagiri Vihara (meaning monastery in a peaceful hill) was built for seclusion and focus on the spiritual life. Being in this palace, you can feel peace and see the sights of the city of Yogyakarta and Prambanan the background of Mount Merapi.

The Palace is located at 196 meters above sea level. Palace area of ​​250,000 m2 divided into four, namely center, west, southeast, and east. The middle section consists of the main gate of the building, grounds, Combustion Temple, pond, rock berumpak, and Paseban. Meanwhile, the southeast part includes Hall, Hall-Hall, 3 temples, ponds, and a complex for princess. Complex caves, Buddhist Stupa, and there is a pool in the eastern part. While the western part consists only of the hills.

If you enter from the gate of the palace, you will go directly to the middle. Two high gates will welcome you. The first gate has three entrances while the second had a 5-door. If you are careful, the first gate will be found the word 'Panabwara'. Said that, based on inscriptions Middle Wanua III, written by Rakai Panabwara, (Rakai Panangkaran descendants) who took over the palace. The purpose of writing his name is to legitimize power, give 'power' so that more glorious and to give sign that the building is the main building.

About 45 meters from the second gate, you will see a temple made of white stones so-called temple of Batu Putih. Not far from there, will find Combustion Temple. The temple is a square (26 meters x 26 meters) and has 2 terraces. As the name implies, the temple was used for cremation. Besides the two temples, the sacred terrace and a pool will be found later when you walk approximately 10 meters from the Combustion Temple

.A mysterious well be encountered when running to the southeast of the Temple Combustion. That said, the well was named Amrita Mantana that means sacred water treated with charms. Now, the water is still often used. Local people said, well water can bring good luck to the wearer. While Hindus use for Tawur grand ceremony the day before Nyepi. Water use in the ceremony is believed to support the objective, namely to purify themselves and to return the earth and its contents at the beginning harmony.

Stepping into the eastern part of the palace, you will see two caves, big pond measuring 20 meters x 50 meters and Buddha effigy that sits quietly. Two caves were formed from sedimentary rock called pumice Breccia. Caves that are more on so-called Cave of Lanang while under the so-called Cave Wadon. Exactly in front of Cave Lanang there is a pool and three stupas. According to a research, it is known that it is Aksobya stupa, one of the Buddhist Pantheon.

Although founded by a Buddhist, it has elements of Hindu. It can be seen with the Linga and Yoni, Ganesha statues, and gold plate that reads "Om Rudra ya namah swaha" as a form of worship to the god Rudra is another name of Lord Shiva. The existence of Hindu elements that prove the existence of religious tolerance that is reflected in architectural works. Indeed, while the Rakai Panangkaran are Buddhists live side by side with the followers of Hinduism.

Few know that this palace is witness of the initial triumph in Sumatera land. Balaputradewa had fled to the palace prior to Sumatra when it was attacked by Rakai Pikatan. Balaputradewa rebelled because they felt as the number two in the Ancient Mataram Kingdom government as a result of marriage Rakai Pikatan with Pramudhawardani (brother Balaputradewa. After he was defeated and fled to Sumatra, before he became king in the kingdom of Srivijaya.

As a heritage building, King Boko Palace is unique among other relics. Other buildings are in the form of a temple or shrine, as the name implies this shows characteristics as a residence. It was shown from the building in the form of pillars and roof are made of wood, even though we can only see remains of stone alone. Investigate the palace, then you will get more, one of them very beautiful view of the sunset. An American tourist said, "This is the most beautiful sunset on earth."

source: yogyes.com/id/yogyakarta-tourism-object/candi/ratu-boko/