Benedict Artika Sari Asmin – XMIPA3 - 06

Origin of Prambanan Temple

Prabu Baka was the king of Prambanan kingdom who had a very beautiful daughter, Rara Jonggrang.

One day, the Prambanan Kingdom was attacked by the Pengging Kingdom, assisted by Bandung
Bondowoso, who was famous for his magic. Bandung Bondowoso was able to defeat Prabu Baka in a
very exciting battle. Prabu Baka died and The Prambanan Kingdom was controlled by Bandung
Bondowoso.

When Bandung Bondowoso saw Rara Jonggrang,. He applied for Rara Jonggrang to be his wife. Rara
Jonggrang actually did not want to marry Bandung Bondowoso who had killed his beloved father.
Rara Jonggrang then looked for a way to fail Bandung Bondowoso to marry.

She said, "I am willing for you to marry me, but I have the conditions for it."

"What conditions do you want?"

"I want you to build a thousand temples," replied Rara Jonggrang.

"All that you have to finish overnight. If you can do it, I am willing for you to marry me. "

"Good," Bandung Bondowoso agreed to Rara Jonggrang's request. "I will fulfill it."

Bandung Bondowoso asked the creatures to help him build a thousand temples in one night.

Rara Jonggrang was very worried that Bandung Bondowoso would be able to make his wish come
true when he found that the number of temples made had exceeded nine hundred and ninety
temples. After thinking for a while, Rara Jonggrang then woke up the Prambanan girls. Rara
Jonggrang asked the girls to burn straw in the eastern Prambanan area. She also asked some of the
girls to pound rice. The creatures was very surprised to find a reddish light gushing in the east. They
were even more shocked when they heard the sound of a mortar being hit. All these characteristics
indicate when morning has come. They hurried away because they were afraid. Even though nine
hundred and ninety-nine temples have been completed, there was only one temple left to fulfilled
Rara Jonggrang's request.

The anger of Bandung Bondowoso was very high. He knew, it was still midnight. Morning had not
come yet. He also knew that all of this was done by Rara Jonggrang to thwart his efforts. With anger
overflowing, Bandung Bondowoso issued his curse,

"Hey Rara Jonggrang! The thousand temples that you asked for are almost finished, only one temple
left. Because you have cheated to thwart my efforts, then you become a statue in the thousandth
temple! "

Instantly Rara Jonggrang's body was petrified into a statue. The statue was then placed in a large
temple room which is now called the Prambanan temple.

The Moral Message of the Legend of Prambanan Temple :

Forcing a will and also cheating will result in losses in the future.

We should dare to reveal the truth, even though it is very bitter.