Hal 24 The Legend of Prambanan Temple

 The Legend of Prambanan Temple

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Javanese Princess whose name was Rara Jonggrang. Rara Jonggrang, whose beauty was very famous in the land, was the daughter of Prabu Baka, an evil King.

One day, a handsome young man with supranatural power named Bandung Bondowoso defeeated and killed Prabu Baka. Seeing Princess Rara Jonggrang’s beauty, Bandung Bondowoso felt in love with her and wanted to marry her.

Meanwhile, Princess Rara Jonggrang felt sad due to her father’s death. She did not want to marry Bandung Bondowoso because he had killed her father. But she always also afraid of him, so she refused politely by giving him requirement which was impossible to fulfill. She said, “I will marry you but you have to build one thousand temples in one night as wedding gift.“ Bandung agreed to that condition.

One day later, Bandung Bondowoso started building the temples helped by the spirits of the demons. Approaching midnight, the work would nearly be done. Rara Jonggrang knew this and thought. What shall I do? Bandung Bondowoso is smarter than me. I will lose againts Bandung.”

Bandung Bondowoso got frustrated because he failed to complete the thousandth temple. “The princess has received me!” Because of his anger, he cursed Rara Jonggrang, “You have cheated me. Now, the thousandth temple will be you!”

At once, the princess turned into a statue. Seeing this, Bandung Bondowoso regretted it and went away. Now, you can see the statue of Princess Rara Jonggrang at Prambanan Temple.