The restoration of Prambanan Temple took a very long time, as if it would never be finished. The rediscovery of the largest building ruins, namely the Shiva Temple, was reported by C.A. Lons in 1733. The first excavation and recording efforts were carried out under the supervision of Groneman. The excavation was completed in 1885, including clearing undergrowth and grouping the temple ruins.

In 1902, these efforts were continued by van Erp. The grouping and identification of the ruins were carried out in more detail. In 1918, the restoration of Prambanan Temple was continued under the supervision of the Archaeological Service (Oudheidkundige Dienst) led by P.J. Perquin. Through this effort, part of the ruins of the Shiva Temple could be reconstructed.

In 1926, a restoration committee was formed under the leadership of De Haan to continue the efforts that had been carried out by Perquin. Under the supervision of this committee, in addition to the reconstruction of the Shiva Temple being increasingly perfected, preparations for the construction of the Apit Temple were also started.

In 1931, De Haan died and was replaced by V.R. van Romondt. In 1932, the restoration of the two Apit Temples was successfully completed. The restoration was forced to stop in 1942, when Japan took over the government in Indonesia. After going through a long process and being hampered by war and the change of government, in 1953 the restoration of the Shiva Temple and the two Apit Temples was declared complete. Until now, the restoration of Prambanan Temple is still being carried out in stages.

The original plan of Prambanan Temple is rectangular, consisting of an outer courtyard and three courtyards, namely Jaba (outer courtyard), Tengahan (middle courtyard) and Njeron (inner courtyard). The outer courtyard is an open area that surrounds the outer courtyard. The outer courtyard is rectangular with an area of 390 m2. This courtyard was once surrounded by a stone fence that is now in ruins. The outer courtyard is currently just an empty courtyard. It is not yet known whether there were originally buildings or other decorations in this courtyard.

In the middle of the outer courtyard, there is a second courtyard, namely the central courtyard which is rectangular in shape with an area of 222 m2. The central courtyard was also surrounded by a stone fence which has now also collapsed. This courtyard consists of four terraces, the deeper it goes the higher it gets. On the first terrace, which is the lowest terrace, there are 68 small temples lined up around it, divided into four rows by connecting paths between the courtyard doors. On the second terrace there are 60 temples, on the third terrace there are 52 temples, and on the fourth terrace, or the top terrace, there are 44 temples. All the temples in this central courtyard have the same shape and size, namely a basic floor plan area of 6 m2 and a height of 14 m. Almost all the temples in the central courtyard are currently in ruins. All that remains are the ruins.

The inner courtyard is the highest courtyard and is considered the most sacred place. This courtyard has a rectangular plan of 110 m2, with a height of about 1.5 m from the surface of the top terrace of the central courtyard. This courtyard is surrounded by retaining walls and stone fences. On all four sides there are gates in the form of paduraksa gates. Currently only the gate on the south side is still intact. In front of each gate of the upper courtyard there are a pair of small temples, with a square base plan of 1.5 m2 with a height of 4 m.

In the inner courtyard there are 2 rows of temples that stretch north-south. In the western row there are 3 temples facing east. The temple that is located the northernmost is the Vishnu Temple, in the middle is the Shiva Temple, and in the south is the Brahma Temple. In the eastern row there are also 3 temples facing west. These three temples are called wahana temples (wahana = vehicle), because each temple is named after an animal that is the mount of the god whose temple is located in front of it.

The temple facing the Vishnu Temple is the Garuda Temple, the one facing the Shiva Temple is the Nandi (ox) Temple, and the one facing the Brahma Temple is the Swan Temple. Thus, these six temples face each other to form a corridor. The Vishnu, Brahma, Swan, Garuda and Nandi temples have the same shape and size, namely a square base plan of 15 m2 with a height of 25 m. At the north and south ends of each corridor there is a small temple facing each other, called the Apit Temple.

Shiva Temple

When it was discovered, Shiva Temple was in a state of severe disrepair. The restoration took quite a long time, starting in 1918 and only completed in 1953. It is named Shiva Temple because inside this temple there is a Shiva statue. Shiva Temple is also known as Rara Jonggrang Temple, because in one of its rooms there is a Durga Mahisasuramardani statue, which is often referred to as the Rara Jonggrang statue. The body of the temple stands on a base about 2.5 m high. Shiva Temple, which is located in the middle of the western row, is the largest temple. Its basic plan is a square measuring 34 m2 with a height of 47 m.

Along the walls of the foot of the temple are decorated with carvings of two types of decorations that are alternately located. The first is a picture of a lion standing between two kalpataru trees. This decoration is found on all sides of the foot of Shiva Temple and the other five large temples.

On the foot walls on the north and south sides of the Shiva Temple, the lion decorations above are flanked by panels containing carvings of a pair of animals taking shelter under a kalpataru tree growing in a vase. Various animals are depicted here, including: monkeys, peacocks, deer, rabbits, goats, and dogs. On top of each tree are two birds perched.

On the other sides of the foot walls of the temple, both the foot of the Shiva Temple and other large temples, these animal-depicted panels are replaced with panels depicting kinara-kinari, a pair of birds with human heads, who are also taking shelter under the kalpataru tree.

The stairs to climb to the surface of the batur are located on the east side. The upper stairs are equipped with stair cheeks whose walls are decorated with carvings of vines and animals. The base of the stair cheeks is decorated with carvings of a dragon's head gaping wide with the figure of a god in its mouth. On the left and right of the stairs there are small temples with pointed roofs with carvings of Shiva statues on all four sides of their bodies.

At the top of the stairs there is a paduraksa gate leading to a corridor on the surface of the batur. Above the threshold of the gate there is a beautiful Kalamakara carving. Behind the gate there is a pair of small temples that have niches in their bodies. The niches contain the statues of Mahakala and Nandiswara, the guardian gods of the door.

On the surface of the batur there is a corridor about 1 m wide that surrounds the body of the temple. This corridor is equipped with a fence or balustrade, so that its shape resembles a roofless corridor. This balustrade corridor winds at an angle, dividing the walls of the temple into 6 parts. Along the walls of the temple body are decorated with rows of Lokapala statue carvings. Lokapala are the guardian gods of the cardinal directions, such as Bayu, Indra, Baruna, Agni and Yama.

Along the inside of the balustrade wall is carved a Ramayana relief. The Ramayana story is carved clockwise, starting from the scene of Vishnu being asked to come down to earth by the kings to overcome the chaos caused by Rahwana and ending with the scene of the completion of the construction of a bridge across the ocean to the State of Alengka. The continuation of the Ramayana story is on the inner wall of the Brahma Temple balustrade.

Above the balustrade wall are rows of ratna decorations. Below the ratna, on the outer side of the balustrade wall, there is a small niche with Kalamakara decorations on it. In the niche there are 2 carving motifs displayed alternately, namely a picture of 3 people standing while holding hands and 3 people playing various types of musical instruments.

The entrance to the rooms in the body of the temple is on a higher terrace. To reach the upper terrace, there are stairs in front of each door of the room. In the body of the temple there are four rooms that surround the main room located in the middle of the body of the temple. The entrance to the main room is through a room facing east. This room is an empty room without any statues or decorations. The entrance to the main room is in line with the entrance to the east room. This main room is called the Shiva Room because in the middle of the room there is a statue of Shiva Mahadewa, namely Shiva in a standing position on a lotus with one hand raised in front of his chest and the other hand flat in front of his stomach. The Shiva statue is located on a 60 cm high pedestal (base), shaped like a yoni with a water drainage channel along the edge of its surface. It is said that this Shiva statue depicts King Balitung of Hindu Mataram (898 - 910 AD) who is worshiped as Shiva.

There is no connecting door between the Shiva Room and the three rooms on the other side. The north, west, and south rooms have their own doors located right in front of the stairs up to the upper terrace. In the north room there is a Durga Mahisasuramardini statue, namely Durga as the goddess of death, who depicts the consort of King Balitung. Durga is depicted as an eight-armed goddess in a standing position on the Nandi Bull facing the Vishnu Temple. One of her right hands is in a reclining position on a mace, while the other three hands each hold an arrow, a sword and a discus. One of her left hands holds the head of Asura, a dwarf giant standing on the head of a mahisa (bull), while the other three hands hold a bow, a shield and a flower. This Durga statue is also called the Rara Jonggrang statue by the local community, because this statue is believed to be the incarnation of Rara Jonggrang. Rara Jonggrang is a king's daughter in local legend, who was cursed to become a statue by Bandung Bandawasa.

In the western room there is a Ganesha statue in a cross-legged position on a padmasana (lotus throne) with the soles of his feet touching each other. Both palms rest on his knees in an upward position, while his trunk rests on his left arm. This Ganesha statue depicts the crown prince of King Balitung. The sash on his shoulder shows that he is also a warlord.

In the southern room there is a statue of Agastya or Syiwa Mahaguru. This statue has a rather fat body posture and a beard. Mahaguru Shiva is depicted in a standing position facing the Brahma Temple in the south with his right hand holding a prayer bead and his left hand holding a jug. Behind him, on the left is a fly repellent and on the right is a trident. It is said that the Mahaguru Shiva statue depicts a priest who advises the kingdom.

Vishnu Temple

Vishnu Temple is located to the north of Shiva Temple. The body of the temple stands on a shelf which forms a balustraded corridor. The stairs to climb to the surface of Batur are located on the east side. Along the walls of the temple there are rows of panels with carvings depicting Lokapala.

Along the inner wall of the balustrade is decorated with a series of panels containing Krishnayana reliefs. Krisnayana is the story of Krishna's life from the time he was born until he succeeded in occupying the throne of the Dwaraka Kingdom.

On the balustrade wall there are rows of pearl decorations. Below the pearl, on the outside of the balustrade wall, there is a small niche with a Kalamakara decoration on top. In the niche there is a carving depicting Vishnu as a priest sitting with various hand positions.

Vishnu Temple only has 1 room with one door facing east. In this room, there is a Vishnu statue in a standing position on a yoni-shaped 'umpak'. Vishnu is depicted as a 4-armed god. The back right hand holds Cakra (Vishnu's weapon) while the left hand holds an oyster. The right front hand holds a mace and the left hand holds a lotus flower.

Brahma Temple

Brahma Temple is located to the south of Shiva Temple. The body of the temple stands on a shelf which forms a balustraded corridor. Along the walls of the temple there are rows of panels with carvings depicting Lokapala.

Along the inner wall of the balustrade is decorated with panels containing the continuation of the Ramayana story on the inner wall of the Shiva Temple balustrade. This fragment of the Ramayana story at the Brahma Temple tells the story of Rama's battle, assisted by his younger brother, Laksmana, and the army of monkeys against Ravana until Sita went to wander into the forest after being expelled by Rama who doubted her purity. Sita gave birth to her son in the forest under the protection of a hermit.

On the balustrade wall there are rows of pearl decorations. Below the pearl, facing outward, there is a small niche with a Kalamakara decoration on top. In the niche there are carvings depicting Brahma as a priest sitting with various hand positions. Brahma Temple also only has 1 room with one door facing east. In the room, there is a statue of Brahma standing on a yoni-shaped pedestal. Brahma is depicted as a god with four faces, each facing a different direction, and two pairs of hands. On the forehead of the face facing forward is a third eye. called 'urna'. The statue of Brahma is actually very beautiful, but now it is damaged. The walls of the Brahma room are plain without decoration. On the walls on each side there are protruding stones that function as places to put oil lamps. On the balustrade wall are rows of ratna decorations. Under the ratna, facing outward, there is a small niche with a Kalamakara decoration on it. In the niche there is a carving depicting Brahma as a priest sitting with various hand positions.

Brahma Temple also only has 1 room with one door facing east. In In the room, there is a statue of Brahma standing on a yoni-shaped pedestal. Brahma is depicted as a god with four faces, each facing a different direction, and two pairs of hands. On the forehead of the face facing forward is a third eye. called 'urna'. The Brahma statue was actually very beautiful, but now it is damaged. The walls of the Brahma room are plain without decoration. On the walls on each side there are protruding stones which function as places to place oil lamps.

 

WAHANA TEMPLE

Nandi Temple

This temple has one entrance staircase facing west, namely to the Shiva Temple. Nandi is the sacred bull ridden by Lord Shiva. When compared to the Garuda Temple and the Angsa Temple on the right and left, the Nandi Temple has the same shape, only slightly larger and taller. The body of the temple stands on a platform about 2 m high. As in the Shiva Temple, on the foot wall there are two carving motifs that are alternately located. The first is a picture of a lion standing between two kalpataru trees and the second is a picture of a pair of animals taking shelter under a kalpataru tree. Two birds perch on the tree. Images like this are also found in other wahana temples.

The Nandi Temple has one room in its body. The stairs and entrance to the room are located on the west side. In the room there is a statue of the Nandi Bull, Shiva's vehicle, in a lying position facing west. In the room there are also two statues, namely the statue of Surya (the sun god) standing on a chariot pulled by seven horses and the statue of Candra (the moon god) standing on a chariot pulled by ten horses. The walls of the room are not decorated and there is a protruding stone on each side of the wall which functions as a place to put oil lamps. The walls of the corridor around the body of the temple are also plain without any carved decorations.

Garuda Temple

This temple is located north of the Nandi Temple, opposite the Vishnu Temple. Garuda is Vishnu's mount. The shape and decorations on the feet and stairs of the Garuda Temple are similar to those found in the Nandi Temple. Although it is called the Garuda Temple, there is no Garuda statue in the room inside the body of the temple. On the floor of the room there is a Shiva statue in a smaller size than the one in the Shiva Temple. This statue was found embedded under the temple, and in fact its place is not in the room.

Swan Temple

This temple is located south of the Nandi Temple, opposite the Brahma Temple. Swans are Brahma's mounts. The size, shape and decoration on the feet and stairs of the Angsa Temple are similar to those found in the Garuda Temple. The room inside the body of the temple is empty. The walls of the room are also not decorated, there are only protruding stones on the walls on each side of the room which function as a place to put oil lamps.

 

APIT TEMPLE

Apit Temple is a pair of temples facing each other. They are located, respectively, at the southern end and northern end of the corridor between the two rows of large temples. Both temples have a square plan of 6 m2 with a height of 16 m. the body of the temple stands on a platform about 2.5 m high. There is no corridor on the surface of the foot of the temple. Each has one staircase leading to the only room in its body. The only special thing about this temple is that when this temple was rebuilt, it looked very beautiful.

 

GUARDIAN TEMPLE

In addition to the six large temples and two flanking temples that have been described above, in the upper courtyard there are still eight very small temples, namely with a basic plan of about 1.25 m2. Four of them are located in each corner of the background, while the other four are placed near the entrance gate to the upper courtyard.

The face of Prambanan now looks beautiful. In front of the temple complex, a Ramayana dance drama stage and Prambanan Tourism Park were built which can beautify the face of the Prambanan complex.