This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Indonesia. The Borobudur Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple that dates back to the 8th or 9th century AD. This colossal structure was once abandoned to the surrounding jungle, perhaps because the local populace converted to Islam or perhaps due to a volcanic eruption.

Either way, it was rediscovered in 1814 by H.C. Cornelius, a Dutch engineer working for the British government in Java. Excavating the monument took decades-it was not fully unearthed until 1835.  In the 1970’s, UNESCO sponsored a major renovation and restoration of the temple, and today Indonesian Buddhists worship there once more. Vesak, a major Buddhist holiday, is celebrated by visiting all three of the region’s major Buddhist temples, walking from Mendut to Pawon and finally to Borobudur.

The base of the  temple measures approximately 403.5 feet on each side, and it took more than 72,000 cubic yards worth of stone to construct. It is decorated with statues of the Buddha, bas-reliefs and sculptures. Viewed from above, it looks like a sacred mandala.

If you want to see the temple, you’ll need an Indonesian visa.  Indonesia does issue visas on arrival at certain airports and sea ports, but you can also apply for one before your trip. Either way, here’s what you need:

• Your US passport, which must have at least 6 months left before it expires. You’ll also need one whole blank page free in the back for the visa.
• 2 completed Indonesian visa application forms
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of your most recent bank statement
• A letter from your employer verifying that you are employed or on a leave of absence. If you don’t have a job, simply include a detailed letter explaining that fact.
• An itinerary letter that explains why you are going to Indonesia.

RushMyTravelVisa can help expedite your Indonesian visa as well as any other visas you may need for your trip. When you apply with us, a trained visa specialist will answer your questions and help you with your application. Then, we’ll deliver your paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Indonesian visa today!

Tags: Indonesia, Indonesia visa, Indonesian visa

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 27th, 2010 at 11:52 pm and is filed under World Heritage Site of the Week. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.