Discover Ratu Boko Temple
Mystical Legends and Stunning Views
The Ratu Boko temple is located 3 km south of the Prambanan Temple. On almost 200 meters above sea level, the Ratu Boko temple looks more like an ancient palace than a traditional temple. Although a lot of research has been done, the exact origins of the Ratu Boko site is still a mystery.
Local legends
The local residents believe the palace belonged to King Boko, the king from the Roro Jonggrang legend, which is connected to the legends of the Prambanan temple:
King Boko had a daughter named princess Loro Jonggrang.Ratu (king) Boko
Prince Bandung Bondowoso, who was impressed by her beauty, asked Loro Jonggrang to marry him. She rejected his proposal because he had killed her father: King Boko. Prince Bandung insisted, and finally Loro Jonggrang agreed to his proposal, but only on one condition: Prince Bandung had to built her one thousand temples in one night.
Prince Bandung who felt strong, agreed and started to meditate and asked the help of spirits. The spirits helped him and succeeded in building 999 temples.
Loro Jonggrang -who didn’t want prince Bandung to succeed- then woke her female servants and ordered them to start pounding rice. This awoke the roosters, which began to crow. The spirits, hearing the sound of morning, believed the day had started and stopped building, to hide for the sun. They were fooled and prince Bandung didn’t succeed. He was so angry that he turned the princess into a stone statue.
According to the traditions, the statue Durga, in the Shiva temple of the Prambanan still is princess Loro Jonggrang.
According to the historians the Ratu Boko temple once served not only as a place of worship, but also as a defensive fortress, but the exact function is still unknown.
On more than 250,000 square meters, there are many buildings and interesting spots to discover and understand.
The impressive complex
You enter the complex by passing two impressive gates (gopura). Once you pass the gates, on your left you find a deep square that once functioned as a crematorium. It is called “temple pembakaran”. Behind this sacred place you have a stunning view to the Prambanan.
On the right you find the “paseban”, an old reception pavilion.
If you walk further you arrive at the caves called Gua Lanang and Gua Wadon (the male and female cave) which were once used for meditation. In Gua Lanang you find niches, small rooms, where you could meditate in separation.
Pleasure garden and sacred water
The complex is also home to “Amerta Mantana”, a sacred well or water spring, known for its holy water. The water from this well is still used in Hindu ceremonies like the ceremony before Nyepi (the day of silence). This ritual aims to purify and restore harmony to the earth and its inhabitants. It is believed that the water of Amerta brings luck for anyone who uses it.
- Getting there: Ratu Boko is located east of the city of Jogja, on a hill south of the Prambanan Temple, approximately 20 km from the center of Jogja. About 30-45 minutes by car.
- Best time to visit: For a visit to Ratu Boko Temple, it is better to go in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset from the top of the hill.
- Please note: If you combine your visit with a visit to the Prambanan Temple, you can buy a combination ticket (at the Prambanan temple counter), and travel between the Prambanan an Ratu Boko by a shuttle service.
- Combine your visit: The closest tourist attractions to Ratu Boko Temple are Prambanan, Plaosan, and the Ijo Temple.
A Historical Journey
Although according to local beliefs the palace once belonged to King Boko, according to historians the Ratu Boko complex was established during the reign of Rakai Panangkaran (746-784). His name turns up in several inscriptions dating back to the late 8th and early 9th centuries. Although Rakai Panangkaran followed Buddhism, Ratu Boko also showcases a remarkable blend of Hindu elements, particularly connected to the god Shiva, highlighting the religious tolerance of the era.
Ratu Boko also played a strategic role as a fortress against rival forces. Although parts of the temple complex sustained damage during conflicts, restoration efforts began during the Dutch colonial period in 1938 and continued under the Indonesian government from 1952 onward.
Breathtaking panoramic views
Aside from its rich history, Ratu Boko offers stunning panoramic views, particularly at dusk. From the temple restaurant Plaza Andrawina visitors can gaze northward at the picturesque city of Yogyakarta and the iconic Prambanan Temple, framed by the majestic Mount Merapi. The sunset casts a warm orange glow, creating a magical atmosphere that enchants all who visit.