A visit to District 3400 Conference in Yogyakarta - avisittodistrict3400conferencein

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Thank you for making the D3400 Conference a pleasant event

The District 3400 Conference was held successfully from 27-28 February 2009 at the beautiful Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort & Spa in Central Java, Indonesia.

District 3310 was represented by the following Rotarians:

 2. R eClub3310: Rtn Budi Soehardi

 3. R C Marina City: PP Gladys Pang

 4. R C Pandan Valley: PP Pang Boon Seng

 5. R C Singapore: Rtn Jimmy Ooi

 6. R C Victoria: AG Albert Wong

 7. R C Garden City: AG Matthew Yong

 8. R C Singapore Centennial: PE Leslie Sim

 9. R C Kuching: PP David Chan

 10. R C Kuching Central: PP H. Andre Suharto & Spouse Hj Norzan 

   Bujang

A total of 10 Rotarians, a spouse and an interactor represented District 3310. (it was previously wrongly published as 9 Rotarians because I have forgotten to include Rotary eClub3310. Apologies indeed) 

The pre-conference activity was a dinner with the Sultan Hamengku Buwono X at his palace (known as ‘Keraton’ in Javanese language) which was built a few hundred years ago by the Sultan Hamengku Buwono I.

There were 596 attendees at the conference representing 65 clubs (out of 95 clubs in Indonesia ). Also included were attendees from 14 other countries.

It was indeed intriguing to see just as many attendees continuing to attend the second and final day of the conference which started off with DG Keliek doing the roll calls for the second time. Perhaps something that D3310 can emulate to encourage high attendance on the 2^nd day of our conference.

Many good external speakers (non-Rotarian) were invited to give a talk. Although most of these external speakers had some level of difficulty in conveying their speeches in English, they were good and effective in their delivery of the message when they speak in Bahasa Indonesia.

I learnt new things from the interesting talk on ‘How to recruit members’ beyond the traditional learning materials we learnt every time we attended Membership Development & Retention seminar. The speaker talked about the need for us to study the characteristic of a person such as his/her values & beliefs. A person with high social values will probably take less time to convince him/her to be a Rotarian versus a person with high economic values.

It was a time to make new friends and renew acquaintances. I have learnt things that I did not know prior to attending the conference. I have widened my circle of friends. I also observed that the female Rotarians are plenty and very active. Another interesting observation is that many Rotarians wear uniform to represent their club. Some of the uniforms are local batik while some are jackets. Same coloured scarfs are commonly worn by female Rotarians from the same club.

Many of us stayed back after the end of the conference until 3 March to take the opportunity to visit historical sites and places of interests such as Borobudur and Prambanan Temples, Solo city and Tawamangu highlands. Thanks to Rtn Budi for assisting us to be connected with his friend in providing rented car/minibuses with very good rates that included driver and petrol. Many thanks also to Rtn Gatot Subagio of RC Yogyakarta Tamansari for accompanying us during the 2 days of tour providing the group with some local knowledge. Rtn Gatot also welcomed us upon our arrival at the Adi Sutjipto Airport. Despite of a being a Rotarian for barely a month, Rtn Gatot has shown his enthusiasm in according us the Rotary friendship. 

God willing, I shall be at the next District 3400 Conference to be held at The Empire Palace Hotel, Surabaya from 14-15 May 2010. A total of 74 registrations for the next conference were received by the time this Yogya conference ended. What an enthusiastic lot of Rotarians!

Thank you DG Keliek, PP Lingga and all concerned for making this District 3400 Conference a pleasant one for all of us at District 3310.

Kind regards

PP H Andre Suharto

District 3310 Trainer 

'Semar' - the legendary Javanese god, kind hearted & down-to-earth

Photos taken at the District Conference

2009-03-06

Arrival at Yogya airport being met by Rtn Gatot of RC Yogyakarta Taman Sari.JPG
Arrival at Yogya airport being met by Rtn Gatot of RC Yogyakarta Taman Sari.JPG 2009-02-26

Representatives from D3310 at the roll calls.JPG
Representatives from D3310 at the roll calls.JPG 2009-02-27

Javanese dance performance at opening.JPG
Javanese dance performance at opening.JPG 2009-02-27

AG Ridlo (left) and PDG Miko (2nd right).JPG
AG Ridlo (left) and PDG Miko (2nd right).JPG 2009-02-28

With DGN Al Purwa of D3400.JPG
With DGN Al Purwa of D3400.JPG 2009-02-28

PP Hendro of RC Surabaya with AG Matthew.JPG
PP Hendro of RC Surabaya with AG Matthew.JPG 2009-02-27

With PP H Andre with Rtn Budi of eClub3310.JPG
With PP H Andre with Rtn Budi of eClub3310.JPG 2009-02-27

With PDG Jason Yeung - RI President Special Rep.JPG
With PDG Jason Yeung - RI President Special Rep.JPG 2009-02-28

With Rotarians from Indonesia.JPG
With Rotarians from Indonesia.JPG 2009-02-27

The Resident of Yogya delivering a sermon on Friday prayer.JPG
The Resident of Yogya delivering a sermon on Friday prayer.JPG 2009-02-27

Muslims Rtns attending Friday prayer at the conference hotel.JPG
Muslims Rtns attending Friday prayer at the conference hotel.JPG 2009-02-27

With PDG Tjoet of D3400.JPG
With PDG Tjoet of D3400.JPG 2009-02-28

DG Keliek with a child suffering from blindness. She was left in a basket after birth unwanted by her parents. RC Bogor will be adopting her..JPG
DG Keliek with a child suffering from blindness. She was left in a basket after birth unwanted by her parents. RC Bogor will be adopting her..JPG 2009-02-28

At the lobby of the Sheraton Yogya.JPG
At the lobby of the Sheraton Yogya.JPG 2009-02-27

With PP Liliek of RC Medan.jpg
With PP Liliek of RC Medan.jpg 2009-03-05

D3310 Rtns having dinner at Seafood Bandara.JPG
D3310 Rtns having dinner at Seafood Bandara.JPG 2009-02-28

Owner of Sheraton Yogya who is also founder of Mustika Ratu jamu in traditional Javanese wear.JPG
Owner of Sheraton Yogya who is also founder of Mustika Ratu jamu in traditional Javanese wear.JPG 2009-02-28

Borobudur temple - the world's largest Buddhist temple from a distance

Photos taken at the Kaliurang, Borobudur & PrambananTemple

Post Conference Activities

World Heritage #642.JPG
World Heritage #642.JPG 2009-03-01

Group foto at Prambanan Temple.jpg
Group foto at Prambanan Temple.jpg 2009-03-05

The Prambanan temple complex.JPG
The Prambanan temple complex.JPG 2009-03-01

A stage where Ramayana live performance is held during the full moon at Prambanan.JPG
A stage where Ramayana live performance is held during the full moon at Prambanan.JPG 2009-03-01

The male Rtns of D3310 with the Prambanan temple at the background.JPG
The male Rtns of D3310 with the Prambanan temple at the background.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2879.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2890.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2873.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2875.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2871.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2868.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2877.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2870.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2885.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2889.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2887.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2884.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2882.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2924.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2923.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2905.JPG 2009-03-01

Inside the temple.JPG
Inside the temple.JPG 2009-03-01

Looking down from inside the temple.JPG
Looking down from inside the temple.JPG 2009-03-01

Rtn Gatot helping students to learn English at Prambanan.JPG
Rtn Gatot helping students to learn English at Prambanan.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2894.JPG 2009-03-01

Prambanan Hindu temple.JPG
Prambanan Hindu temple.JPG 2009-03-01

Original Rotary Wheel being pushed by the team.JPG
Original Rotary Wheel being pushed by the team.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2862.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2864.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2922.JPG 2009-03-01

Rtn Jimmy Ooi at Prambanan.JPG
Rtn Jimmy Ooi at Prambanan.JPG 2009-03-01

Some unfinished restoration works after the earthquake in 2004.JPG
Some unfinished restoration works after the earthquake in 2004.JPG 2009-03-01

Scaffolding can be seen for restoration works in progress.JPG
Scaffolding can be seen for restoration works in progress.JPG 2009-03-01

The Prambanan temple complex from a distant.JPG
The Prambanan temple complex from a distant.JPG 2009-03-01

World Heritage #592.JPG
World Heritage #592.JPG 2009-03-01

Procedures for entering the Borobudur temple.JPG
Procedures for entering the Borobudur temple.JPG 2009-03-01

The magnificent Borobudur temple.JPG
The magnificent Borobudur temple.JPG 2009-03-01

One of the many stupas.JPG
One of the many stupas.JPG 2009-03-01

Buddha statue inside every stupa.JPG
Buddha statue inside every stupa.JPG 2009-03-01

The tallest point of Borobudur temple is this big stupa.JPG
The tallest point of Borobudur temple is this big stupa.JPG 2009-03-01

The stupas with the Mt Merapi volcanoe at the back ground.JPG
The stupas with the Mt Merapi volcanoe at the back ground.JPG 2009-03-01

How arch were built at Borobudur.JPG
How arch were built at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

A yoga pose at Borobudur with AG Albert Wong.JPG
A yoga pose at Borobudur with AG Albert Wong.JPG 2009-03-01

How stones are stacked without cement at Borobudur.JPG
How stones are stacked without cement at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2993.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_2987.JPG 2009-03-01

Missing heads of Buddha at Borobudur.JPG
Missing heads of Buddha at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

Notice the hole at the nose which is used for water drainage.JPG
Notice the hole at the nose which is used for water drainage.JPG 2009-03-01

PE Leslie Sim at Borobudur.JPG
PE Leslie Sim at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

Posing for his installation ceremony at Borobudur.JPG
Posing for his installation ceremony at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

PE Leslie Sim trying to touch the hands of the Buddha statue at Borobudur which one believed will bring luck.JPG
PE Leslie Sim trying to touch the hands of the Buddha statue at Borobudur which one believed will bring luck.JPG 2009-03-01

The opening is used for water outlets.JPG
The opening is used for water outlets.JPG 2009-03-01

The magnificent carvings on the wall depicts the story of Gautama.JPG
The magnificent carvings on the wall depicts the story of Gautama.JPG 2009-03-01

Matthew taking over the statue.JPG
Matthew taking over the statue.JPG 2009-03-06

At the foot of Borobudur.JPG
At the foot of Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

Carvings on the wall relates to stories.JPG
Carvings on the wall relates to stories.JPG 2009-03-01

Closer look at the stones arrangements at Borobudur.JPG
Closer look at the stones arrangements at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

A solid one piece stone wash basin at Borobudur.JPG
A solid one piece stone wash basin at Borobudur.JPG 2009-03-01

The trees of the salak fruit that look like palm trees.JPG
The trees of the salak fruit that look like palm trees.JPG 2009-03-01

Mt Merapi volcanoe at the background.JPG
Mt Merapi volcanoe at the background.JPG 2009-03-01

PE Leslie Sim being overly protective.JPG
PE Leslie Sim being overly protective.JPG 2009-03-01

Excited about to have lunch at the foot of Mt Merapi.JPG
Excited about to have lunch at the foot of Mt Merapi.JPG 2009-03-01

Rtns from D3310 having lunch at Beukenhof Restaurant at Kaliurang at the foot of Mt Merapi volcanoe.JPG
Rtns from D3310 having lunch at Beukenhof Restaurant at Kaliurang at the foot of Mt Merapi volcanoe.JPG 2009-03-01

The ornately wooden carved ceilings in gold at one of the pavilions at Keraton

A visit to the Keraton (Sultan's Palace) & Gedung Agung (President's palace)

2009-03-06

The intricate Javanese wood carved ceilings of Sheraton Yogya lobby.JPG
The intricate Javanese wood carved ceilings of Sheraton Yogya lobby.JPG 2009-03-03

The pool at the back of Sheraton Yogya.JPG
The pool at the back of Sheraton Yogya.JPG 2009-03-03

The wooden carved ceilings.JPG
The wooden carved ceilings.JPG 2009-03-03

A minibus was rented for our tour.JPG
A minibus was rented for our tour.JPG 2009-03-01

Rtn Gatot accompanied us for 2 days.JPG
Rtn Gatot accompanied us for 2 days.JPG 2009-03-01

The guard at the entrance.JPG
The guard at the entrance.JPG 2009-03-03

Part of the Kerato - Javanese Sultanate Palace.JPG
Part of the Kerato - Javanese Sultanate Palace.JPG 2009-03-03

Portrait of the 9th Sultan during coronation.JPG
Portrait of the 9th Sultan during coronation.JPG 2009-03-03

Another hall for bigger celebrations.JPG
Another hall for bigger celebrations.JPG 2009-03-03

At the Sultan's palace being briefed by the palace staff.JPG
At the Sultan's palace being briefed by the palace staff.JPG 2009-03-03

Typical Javanese architecture with pillars representing earth, wind, fire & water.JPG
Typical Javanese architecture with pillars representing earth, wind, fire & water.JPG 2009-03-03

The Pendopo where cultural performance was held over dinner in the presence of the Sultan at pre-opening night.JPG
The Pendopo where cultural performance was held over dinner in the presence of the Sultan at pre-opening night.JPG 2009-03-03

Where the 9th Sultan used to live.JPG
Where the 9th Sultan used to live.JPG 2009-03-03

Replica of chairs used by the earlier Sultan. Original chair is made of 20Kg of golf.JPG
Replica of chairs used by the earlier Sultan. Original chair is made of 20Kg of golf.JPG 2009-03-03

Solid tree trunk with a hollow inside used as siren in the olden days to warn off danger or the death of a person at the Sultan's palace.JPG
Solid tree trunk with a hollow inside used as siren in the olden days to warn off danger or the death of a person at the Sultan's palace.JPG 2009-03-03

Elaborate carved ceilings.JPG
Elaborate carved ceilings.JPG 2009-03-03

The ceiling of new building.JPG
The ceiling of new building.JPG 2009-03-03

The newly constructed building in the palace ground.JPG
The newly constructed building in the palace ground.JPG 2009-03-03

The museum of the curent Sultan the 10th.JPG
The museum of the curent Sultan the 10th.JPG 2009-03-03

The original building where the 1st Sultan lived.JPG
The original building where the 1st Sultan lived.JPG 2009-03-03

Infront of the Vredeburg forte built during the Dutch occupation.JPG
Infront of the Vredeburg forte built during the Dutch occupation.JPG 2009-03-03

Gedung Agung from across the street.JPG
Gedung Agung from across the street.JPG 2009-03-03

Gedung Agung - President's palace in Yogya.JPG
Gedung Agung - President's palace in Yogya.JPG 2009-03-03

Gedung Agung.JPG
Gedung Agung.JPG 2009-03-03

The banquet hall at Gedung Agung.JPG
The banquet hall at Gedung Agung.JPG 2009-03-03

Taken infront of the President's palace - Gedung Agung.JPG
Taken infront of the President's palace - Gedung Agung.JPG 2009-03-03

Javanese food buffet for lunch.JPG
Javanese food buffet for lunch.JPG 2009-03-03

Lunch at the Pendopo nDalem built many years ago by a member of the Royal family located within the Keraton complex.JPG
Lunch at the Pendopo nDalem built many years ago by a member of the Royal family located within the Keraton complex.JPG 2009-03-03

Enjoying our lunch with Rtn Gatot on our final day in Yogya.JPG
Enjoying our lunch with Rtn Gatot on our final day in Yogya.JPG 2009-03-03

The entrance to Taman Sari - where the 1st to 3rd Sultan used to spend their time swimming.JPG
The entrance to Taman Sari - where the 1st to 3rd Sultan used to spend their time swimming.JPG 2009-03-03

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IMG_3156.JPG 2009-03-03

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IMG_3158.JPG 2009-03-03

Intricate concrete carving with a mixture of Hindu & Buddhist elements.JPG
Intricate concrete carving with a mixture of Hindu & Buddhist elements.JPG 2009-03-03

The doorway used for the Sultan to enter Taman Sari.JPG
The doorway used for the Sultan to enter Taman Sari.JPG 2009-03-03

The Sultan looked out to the pool from the tower window, threw a flower and court the lady who picked the flower.JPG
The Sultan looked out to the pool from the tower window, threw a flower and court the lady who picked the flower.JPG 2009-03-03

This is the room where the Sultan used to spend his passionate time with the lady who picked the flower.JPG
This is the room where the Sultan used to spend his passionate time with the lady who picked the flower.JPG 2009-03-03

An underground mosque is located near Taman Sari.JPG
An underground mosque is located near Taman Sari.JPG 2009-03-03

The prayer hall at the undergroung mosque.JPG
The prayer hall at the undergroung mosque.JPG 2009-03-03

The Water Castle used by the Sultans to spend time with his families for lunch.JPG
The Water Castle used by the Sultans to spend time with his families for lunch.JPG 2009-03-03

PP Pang being very touchy.JPG
PP Pang being very touchy.JPG 2009-03-01

The Markisa fruit.JPG
The Markisa fruit.JPG 2009-03-01

The Mt Merapi volcanoe seen from Kaliurang.JPG
The Mt Merapi volcanoe seen from Kaliurang.JPG 2009-03-01

At the beautiful lobby of Sheraton Yogya.JPG
At the beautiful lobby of Sheraton Yogya.JPG 2009-02-28

The Sheraton Yogya at night.JPG
The Sheraton Yogya at night.JPG 2009-02-28

Vegetable farming at Tawamangu highlands, Solo

A visit to Tawamangu highlands & residence of the late Ibu Tien Soeharto

2009-03-06

The Mt Merapi volcanoe seen from Kaliurang.JPG
The Mt Merapi volcanoe seen from Kaliurang.JPG 2009-03-01

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IMG_3062.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3045.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3049.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3061.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3027.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3022.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3038.JPG 2009-03-02

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IMG_3041.JPG 2009-03-02

The entrance to the residence.JPG
The entrance to the residence.JPG 2009-03-02

The late President Soeharto & the late first lady Tien.JPG
The late President Soeharto & the late first lady Tien.JPG 2009-03-02

The house of the late Ibu Tien.JPG
The house of the late Ibu Tien.JPG 2009-03-02

Inside the Dalem of Ibu Tien's house in Solo.JPG
Inside the Dalem of Ibu Tien's house in Solo.JPG 2009-03-02

At the entrance to the Dalem at Ibu Tien's house.JPG
At the entrance to the Dalem at Ibu Tien's house.JPG 2009-03-02

The family of the late President Soeharto.JPG
The family of the late President Soeharto.JPG 2009-03-02

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About Prambanan temple

Prambanan, named after the village in which it is located, represents the biggest temple complex in Java. There are 224 temples in the complex; three towering temples on the central terrace dominate the complex. Those are in the North, in the South and the biggest among the three which lies between Brahma and Visnu, soars up to 47 meters high.

Prambanan is a Hindu temple complex estimated to have been built during the late 9th and early 10th century at the end of the Central Java period. This temple (or Candi as it is known in Indonesia) complex can be said to be the highest level of ancient architecture in the world.

Today, administratively, the Prambanan temple is located in the Sub District of Prambanan, Regency of Sleman, approximately 16 km from Yogyakarta city, on the way to Solo city.

One of its appeals is the wealth of sculptural detail and the most famous of all is located on the inner wall of the balustrade, the wonderful Ramayana Epic.

Ancient Java’s greatest empire, the Mataram started in 732 AD, the year Sanjaya, a Hindu noble, established territorial rule over the fertile plains between the Progo and Opak rivers. In 750 AD, the Buddhist Syailendra dynasty overthrew Sanjaya, whose family and followers were exiled to the highlands on the periphery of Mataram. A century later, Rakai Pikatan, a descendant of King Sanjaya married into the Syailendras and rose to power. With his ascendancy came the rebirth of Hinduism and a new spate of the temple buildings, most notably the construction of Prambanan’s Roro Jonggrang complex.

Rakai Pikatan began construction of the temples in 856 AD to commemorate the return to power of Sanjaya Dynasty. However, the complex was abandoned in the next century when the Mataram court and most of the population moved and the temples themselves collapsed during an earthquake in the 16th century.

About Borobudur temple

This famous Buddhist temple was built during the Golden Age of the Syailendra Dynasty sometimes in the beginning of the 8th century.  It is located in central Java about one hour drive from the city of Yogyakarta .

It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of Buddha.

The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s. UNESCO took five years of extensive research (1968-1973) and ten years of restoration works (1973-1983) where 27 countries joined hands (including private sectors) contributing US$ 6.5Million to to finance a total project cost US$ 25 Million. More than 1 million blocks moved!. The significance of Borobudur Temples has an outstanding universal value and UNESCO world cultural heritage inscribed the temple and its surrounding into the World Heritage List in 1991 number C 592.

Borobudur was built on a small hill in a rich fertile valley surrounded by spectacular volcanoes. To the east lies Merapi and Merbabu and to the north lies Sumbing and Sindoro mountains. The unusual jagged Menoreh Hills encircle the temple to the South and West. The temple is also located near the meeting place of two rivers, the Elo and the Progo. These rivers are believed to be symbolic of the Gangga and Yamuna, the two rivers feeding the Indus valley in . The location was most likely chosen for its central location and expansive views.

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