Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia 29 Dec 2024

Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia

Imagine a colossal puzzle made from over 2 million stone blocks—that"s Borobudur, seen in today"s image. Built during the 9th century in the reign of the Shailendra dynasty—an influential ruling family in Southeast Asia—it"s the world"s largest Buddhist temple, standing tall on the island of Java, Indonesia. This ancient sanctum has withstood centuries of natural challenges, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, thanks to its advanced interlocking stone system. Historically, Borobudur was an important pilgrimage site. After being abandoned for centuries, it was rediscovered in the 19th century by the English lieutenant governor Thomas Stamford Raffles.

© Robertharding/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

The butterfly effect
29 Dec 2023Happy Hogmanay!
29 Dec 2025St Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye

More Desktop Wallpapers:

13 Sep 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
8 Feb 2025Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
5 Apr 2025Grand National
Living rock
Shark Awareness Day
A show of prehistoric hands
4 Jun 2024Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Bardia National Park, Nepal
29 Dec 2025St Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye
5 Mar 2024Bangkok, Thailand
14 Feb 2025Happy Valentines Day!
Where are these spectacular peaks?
19 Nov 2024Tasmans Arch, Tasman National Park, Tasmania, Australia
12 Jul 2025Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
12 Sep 2025World Dolphin Day
28 Sep 2023World Maritime Day
5 Apr 2026Easter Sunday
15 Aug 2024Hang Sơn Đoòng, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam
All is calm
28 Mar 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Look up, incoming…
From victory to festivity
Check out these ‘sea cows’
Aug 26, 2023Museum Night in Berlin
26 Sep 2024Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
18 Aug 2024The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
A touch of magic
27 Jan 2026Dalmatian pelicans, Lake Kerkini, Greece
10 Nov 2023Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
12 May 2025An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
5 Jan 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa