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Govt to launch new study on authenticity of Borobudur’s ‘chattra’
Bowing to pressure from archaeologists and other like-minded stakeholders, the government has postponed its plans to install a 'chattra' at Borobudur and instead conduct more in-depth research to determine whether the 9th-century temple was originally designed with the umbrellalike structure.
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Buddhist priests and monks perform the 'pradaksina' ritual on Aug. 17, 2024 by circumambulating Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, to commemorate 79 years of Indonesian independence. (Antara/Anis Efizudin)
T
he government intends to conduct further research to determine whether it is appropriate to build a chattra at the top of Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, following recent opposition from archaeologists who doubt that the original temple had the umbrellalike structure.
The decision is part of a seven-step plan to support installing chattra and was made at a meeting on Sept. 11 led by Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who also chairs the advisory council of the Borobudur Tourism Authority (BOB).
The plan includes feasibility and cultural heritage impact assessments, as well as involves communication with all related stakeholders and consultation with international bodies, such as UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
“We are targeting these measures to finish within a year to ensure the chattra is installed properly and in line with applicable regulations to meet the aspiration of Buddhists,” Sunanto, spokesman of the Religious Affairs Ministry, said in a statement on Sept. 11.
He added that construction on the chattra would not proceed without the permission of the Education, Culture, Research and Technology and the BOB advisory council.
The government initially planned to install the chattra at the top of Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest Buddhist temple in the world. However, the plan was postponed due to strong opposition from archaeologists, who called for additional studies to determine if the temple originally featured the umbrellalike structure.
“In-depth archaeological research still needs to be done to prove whether the temple used to have a chattra,” said Marsis Sutopo, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Archaeologists (IAAI).
