Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Central Java, built during the Sailendra dynasty. Its architect is named as Gunadharma, and the design follows Javanese Buddhist architecture. Nine platforms, six square and three circular, rise to a central dome, and 72 perforated stupas each hold a statue of the Buddha.
The temple has 2,672 relief panels and originally had 504 Buddha statues. It is built of gray stone laid without mortar and held together by knobs, indentations and dovetails, on a base 404 feet (123 m) square. Left hidden for centuries under volcanic ash and jungle growth, it came to the notice of Stamford Raffles in 1814. Theodoor van Erp restored it from 1907 to 1911, and a project with the Indonesian government and UNESCO followed from 1975 to 1982.
UNESCO listed it in 1991. Visitor numbers are limited, and guides accompany them.
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