Borobudur is widely renowned as the largest Buddhist monument. Built by King Samaratungga in the 9th century during the Medang Kingdom era, it is said that the temple stood in the middle of a lake, resembling a floating lotus flower. Originally named Sambara-Budhara, the temple lost its splendor around the 10th century due to the eruption of Mount Merapi, which devastated the civilization in Central Java.
In the 1800s, Borobudur Temple was rediscovered by Thomas S. Raffles. Its condition, buried under layers of sand, left the structure in great disarray. After years of restoration efforts, the Borobudur Temple has been rebuilt into its current form. However, one important element is missing: the pinnacle called Chattra.
In Buddhist architecture, the Chattra is an ornament shaped like an umbrella, placed at the top of a structure. Its purpose is to symbolize protection and Dharma. Initially, this Chattra was installed at the pinnacle of Borobudur, particularly on the main stupa. It was made of stone and stood 3 meters tall. During the early stages of Borobudur’s restoration, the Chattra was briefly placed on the main stupa’s peak. However, it is now housed in the Karmawibhangga Museum within the Borobudur Temple complex.
The idea of reinstalling the Chattra is currently being discussed but remains a topic of debate. While it would be ideal to restore the Chattra to its original position, concerns arise that the stability of Borobudur, which is now well-preserved, might be compromised and potentially damaged. Additionally, there are fears that the unstable condition of the Chattra could pose risks to visitors.