Story Summary
Discover the legend of Roro Jonggrang, an Indonesian folklore about a princess, a powerful prince, and the mystical creation of the 1,000 temples of Prambanan.
In the ancient lands of Java, the kingdom of Pengging waged war against the kingdom of Boko. The victorious Prince Bandung Bondowoso, possessing supernatural powers, fell in love with the beautiful Princess Roro Jonggrang. Unwilling to marry the man who killed her father, the princess devised an impossible plan. She agreed to marry him only if he could build one thousand temples between sunset and sunrise. Bandung Bondowoso called upon a legion of genies, and the temples rose with incredible speed. Seeing the work nearly finished, Roro Jonggrang ordered her maids to pound rice blocks and set fire to the eastern fields. The light and noise tricked the roosters into crowing, signaling an early dawn. The genies, fearing the sun, fled back to the earth, leaving the one thousandth temple incomplete. Upon discovering the trickery, a furious Bandung Bondowoso cursed the princess, turning her into a stone statue to stand forever as the final temple’s centerpiece.
The Moral
Deception and trickery lead to tragic consequences, and love can never be successfully won through force or supernatural coercion.
“Since you have cheated me, you shall be the one to complete the thousandth temple!”
Fun Fact
The 'thousand temples' mentioned in the story are identified as the Prambanan Temple complex, and the statue of the goddess Durga is believed by locals to be the petrified princess.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Roro Jonggrang?
The story teaches that deception has consequences and that love cannot be forced through power or intimidation. Both characters suffer due to their lack of integrity and mutual respect.
Where is the Roro Jonggrang statue located?
The statue is located within the Prambanan Temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia. It is housed in the north chamber of the Shiva temple and is historically a statue of the goddess Durga.
Who built the 1,000 temples in the legend?
In the folklore, Prince Bandung Bondowoso built the temples in a single night with the help of a legion of spirits and genies. Historically, the complex was built by the Sanjaya Dynasty.
How did Roro Jonggrang trick the prince?
She instructed her servants to burn straw and pound rice mortars to simulate the sounds and light of sunrise. This trickery convinced the roosters to crow, causing the genies to flee.
Why did Roro Jonggrang reject the prince's proposal?
She rejected Bandung Bondowoso because he was a ruthless invader who had killed her father, King Boko, during the war between their two kingdoms.
What happened to the thousandth temple?
The thousandth temple was never finished by the genies, but according to the legend, it was completed when the prince cursed Roro Jonggrang, turning her into the final stone statue.
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