The Photography of Dr. Jeff Harper

An 1872 photograph of Borobudur taken by a Dutch photographer, Isidore van Kinsbergen. The picture also shows the Dutch flag on top of the main dome. The "Lost Temple of Borobudur" had been discovered!

The great Borobudur Temple in Central Java Indonesia is often compared to Ankor Wat in Cambodia.  Although Borobudur is not as vast as Ankor, it may be better preserved as the result of having been buried in volcanic ash for the past 700 years.

Borobudur is a huge pyramid literally covered with Buddha images and miles and miles of bas relief panels depicting the life of The Buddha, the royally of the period, and the life of the ordinary people of the region at the time.

The state of preservation is remarkable. The spouting corner Garudas are a good example.

Many (54 actually) fine Buddhas remain in their alcoves, untouched by looters.

Life-sized Buddhas everywhere decorate the exterior.

UNESCO and other donor maintain the structure and continuously engage in its restoration.

But the real treat of seeing Borobudur are the 2,672 exquisitely carved, and perfectly preserved 1300 year old stone panels. Magnificent!

The ancient sea.

Hindu Sadus, royal personages and their attendants . . . .

Life in the royal court.

The work of the servants.

Holy men and court advisors.

The lives of the Royals.

The Royals and their retinue.

The spiritual practices of the Royalty depicted everywhere.

Housing and village life from 1300 years ago in Central Java.

Many Indonesian tourists to asked me to take my photograph . . . I obliged, but only if I could take their photograph.  I found it amazing to think of these girls as the descendants of the girls carved into the stone just over their shoulders.  In fact, the girl at the left looks remarkably like the girl just over behind her!

I had the same feeling about these temple restorers on their break: they looked like the people depicted in the panels they were leaning against.

There were so many beautiful panels . . . and I took a million photos . . . here are a few more in a slideshow format: