Welcome to the vast Kraton Ratu Boko, also known as Ratu Boko's Palace.
This place is different compared to many other heritage sites around Java.
While the majority of the heritage sites are temples or shrines, this place is more like
a ruin than anything else.
Due to its ruinous condition, it can be hard to make any sense of the place and many tourists
reject Ratu Boko for this reason.
However, Ratu Boko has a very special history and charm connected to it, so don't let its
ruinous looks fool you.
The site has gotten its name from the legendary king Boko, one of the main characters in the
famous folklore called "Loro Jonggrang".
This folklore connects the Ratu Boko Palace, the Durga statue in Prambanan temple with
the Sewu temple complex.
If you visited either Prambanan or Sewu Temple and listened to our audio guides, you already
know what I'm talking about.
If not, make sure you pay them a visit!
Ratu Boko was build during the reign of a descendant of the Sailendra dynasty -- one
of the most powerful kingdoms on ancient Java.
Exactly when the Ratu Boko was built is hard to say, but inscriptions mention it being
occupied as early as in the 8th century.
The exact purpose of Ratu Boko is also hard to say.
Some different theories have evolved, the most recognized one being that Ratu Boko was
in fact a fortified monastery.
Inscriptions tell us that the palace initially was named "Abhayagiri Vihara" which literally
means "monastery on a peaceful hill" which supports the theory that it was built for
seclusion purpose and focused on spiritual life.
Throughout Ratu Boko, you can find both Hindu and Buddhist symbols.
These show, just like many other temple sites in the area show, that the two religions lived
side by side in peace on ancient Java.
As you've probably already seen, Ratu Boko is built on a high plateau divided into several
terraces.
While many of the original buildings is believed to have been constructed in wood, and thus
no longer present, Ratu Boko still have several interesting buildings.
The most obvious building is the beautiful main gate.
If you look closely at the first of the two gates, you can read an inscription -- "Panabwara".
This word was inscribed by one of the leaders of the time with the intention of legitimating
his authority as well as to giver 'power' to the gate.
Close to the main gate you can find a temple made of white stones, known as Candi Badu
Putih, which means the Temple of White stones.
You can also find the Combustion temple nearby.
The function of this two leveled square temple was, as the name suggests, to burn dead bodies.
If you do some exploring on your own, you can also find several smaller temples, meditation
caves as well as ponds made for bathing.
One particular pool, which is more like a well, within the bathing place is considered
sacred by Hindu people and is called 'Amerta Mantana'.
It is believed that the water of Amerta brings luck for anyone who uses it.
Hindu people still use it to this very day during the Tawur Agung ceremony.
This is a purification ceremony which takes place one day before "Nyepi": the Hindu New
Year.
Due to its location on a plateau, many spots of in Ratu Boko will give you a great panoramic
view of Prambanan temple with Mount Merapi in the background.
Many say that the great thing about Ratu Boko is that it's such a calm and peaceful place.
Somehow the spirit of the old monastery still surrounds this beautiful place.