How To Spend 48 Hours In Borobudur, Indonesia

18.10.2023 - 19:41 / forbes.com

As the world’s largest island country, Indonesia is famed for its natural biodiversity and diverse ecosystems. But Indonesia is also rich with cultural attractions and is home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most of any country in southeast Asia. Its uncontested jewel is Borobudur.

Built between the 8th and 9th centuries, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world standing 400ft long and 113ft high. Located on the island of Java, this majestic, steeped pyramid is made entirely of stone and is set on six levels. It was designed in the shape of a mandala and represents the path to enlightenment in the Buddhist faith. The structure features 72 stupas, each one containing a statue of the Buddha.

The lower tiers symbolize the “realm of desire”, featuring intricate reliefs portraying both sensual delights and human suffering. As you ascend the temple, the middle tiers depict the “realm of forms”, with carvings that narrate Buddhist stories and teachings. Above those, three circular platforms represent the “world of formlessness” — the highest realm in Buddhist cosmology. The large, central stupa at the top represents Nirvana itself: a state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

Indonesia is a volcanic country, and the temple was buried under volcanic ash from the year 1000 until it was rediscovered by Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British governor of Java, in 1814. It was first restored in 1907 and then again in 1983. Today, Borobudur is a site of pilgrimage, especially during Vesak (the Buddha’s birthday) which is celebrated in May or early June.

Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa, which looks out onto the majestic temple complex, is an ideal place for a culturally immersive stay coupled with friendly Indonesian service. A local hospitality group born in 2010, Plataran has an ample portfolio of properties, including boutique hotels and resorts, private cruises, event spaces, restaurants and more. Plataran Borobudur was the group’s first property and it captures the essence of Indonesian hospitality with an emphasis on nature, community and culture.

Surrounded by teak wood forests and views of the surrounding hills, the eco-resort features 21 spacious Javanese villas that combine luxury comforts with traditional decor. All have private swimming pools or plunge pools in a lush garden setting. The Borobudur View Pool Villa is a stand-out from which you can admire the temple’s silhouette from every corner, while the Grand Spa Pool Villa has its own couple's spa room to enjoy treatments in total privacy.

During their stay, guests can enjoy wellness treatments at Padma Spa which incorporates Buddhist traditions into its rituals, like Tibetan singing bowls. The Java Nadi massage,