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Roro Jonggrang

Roro Jonggrang – The Legend of Prambanan

Roro Jonggrang >> Edisi Indonesia

Folklore from Central Java






Once upon a time, in the heart of Central Java, there stood a peaceful and prosperous kingdom named Prambanan. The people lived in harmony, their days filled with music, harvest, and the whispers of old legends carried by the wind. Their lives were simple and full of joy, until dark clouds gathered from the north—heralding the rise of the powerful Pengging Kingdom.

Pengging was ruled by a feared and ambitious king named Bandung Bondowoso. He was known not only for his cruelty, but also for his command over supernatural forces. With his mighty army and dark magic, Bandung Bondowoso launched an attack on Prambanan, determined to conquer it and expand his rule.

The clash between the two kingdoms was fierce and inevitable. Though the warriors of Prambanan fought bravely, they were no match for Bandung Bondowoso’s enchanted strength and invisible allies. Eventually, Prambanan fell. Its palace gates opened not in welcome, but in surrender.

With the war lost, Bandung Bondowoso declared himself the new ruler of Prambanan. The once-peaceful kingdom now stood under the shadow of a sorcerer king—and little did anyone know, his ambitions had only just begun…

Bandung Bondowoso was no ordinary king. His power did not come from swords alone, but from the help of mysterious beings from the unseen world. His soldiers were not just humans—they were also genies, powerful supernatural creatures who obeyed his every command without question. Under the cloak of night, they would move like shadows, shaping the land and bending nature to Bandung Bondowoso’s will.






Meanwhile, in the heart of the conquered palace, lived Roro Jonggrang, the daughter of the late King of Prambanan. She was known far and wide not only for her grace and beauty, but also for her clever mind and strong spirit. When Bandung Bondowoso laid eyes on her, he was immediately captivated. He wished to make her his queen.

But Roro Jonggrang had no love for the cruel conqueror. She had seen how he had brought suffering to her people, and her heart burned with quiet resistance. Still, she knew she had to be clever if she hoped to escape his grasp.

“If you truly wish to marry me,” she said calmly, her voice hiding the storm within her, “then build me a thousand temples in a single night.”

Bandung Bondowoso stared at her in disbelief. “A thousand temples? In one night?” He narrowed his eyes. “You only say this to avoid marrying me!”

But Roro Jonggrang said nothing more. She merely stood tall, her gaze unshaken.

Though furious, Bandung Bondowoso did not give up. Determined to prove himself—and win her hand—he summoned his army of genies. With a wave of his hand and a command spoken in the ancient tongue, the spirits rose into the sky like mist, ready to build the impossible.

The genies worked tirelessly through the night, their hands swift like the wind, their eyes glowing in the darkness. Stone after stone rose into the sky as the temples took shape—silent towers shimmering under the moonlight. Sparks flew from enchanted tools, and the scent of earth and fire filled the air.

Meanwhile, in the royal chamber, Roro Jonggrang was restless. A soft knock at her door stirred her from her worry. It was one of her loyal ladies-in-waiting. “My lady,” she whispered, “they’re nearly done. The last temple is being shaped as we speak!”

Roro Jonggrang’s heart pounded. No… this cannot be… I won’t be his queen! Panic rose in her chest—but so did an idea. A bold, clever plan began to form.

She turned to her ladies with sudden urgency. “Gather all the straw you can find—hay from the stables, brooms, anything that burns! And bring mortars too. Quickly!”

The ladies-in-waiting blinked, puzzled. “Straw? Mortars? At this hour?”

“Yes!” Roro Jonggrang insisted. “We must make it seem like the sun is rising! Light fires in the east of the palace, pound the rice as if day is breaking. We’ll trick them—we’ll make the genies believe that dawn is near!”

Understanding slowly dawned on the women’s faces. With a flurry of movement, they scattered across the palace, gathering straw, lighting fires, and creating the sounds of morning. Smoke curled into the sky. Roosters, confused by the false light, began to crow.

Would the trick work? Roro Jonggrang could only hope—but then, she gathered her courage and spoke once more to her loyal companions.

“Listen,” she whispered urgently, “the genies are building the temples faster than we imagined. We must stop them before the final one is complete. Burn the straw—make the flames rise high. Pound the mortars—create the sounds of morning. If we succeed, they’ll believe the sun is rising, and they’ll flee! Genies fear the light of dawn.”







The palace grounds soon flickered with firelight. Smoke curled through the trees, glowing embers danced in the wind, and the steady rhythm of pounding echoed like the heartbeat of morning. In the east, a faint orange glow lit the sky—not from the sun, but from the blazing straw. The confused roosters crowed, and birds stirred in their nests.

The genies, sensing daylight, panicked. In a sudden flurry, they vanished into mist and shadows, leaving behind half-shaped stones and incomplete magic. They believed dawn had come.

The deception worked.

But when Bandung Bondowoso arrived and saw that only 999 temples stood, his face darkened with rage. He realized what had happened.

“You dare trick me, Roro Jonggrang?!” he thundered, his voice shaking the very ground. “You mocked my love. You mocked my power.”

Roro Jonggrang stood her ground, silent and proud, unwilling to marry the man who had conquered her kingdom.

“You said you wanted one more temple?” Bandung Bondowoso’s eyes glowed with fury. “Then so be it. You shall become the final one.”

With a wave of his hand and the force of his supernatural might, Roro Jonggrang was turned into stone—a graceful figure frozen in time, forever a part of the temple she wished to avoid.

To this day, her statue stands among the majestic ruins of Prambanan Temple in Central Java. The temple complex is still known as Candi Roro Jonggrang, the Temple of the Slender Maiden.





🌿 Moral Message 🌿
The legend of Roro Jonggrang reminds us that cleverness can be a powerful tool, but it must be used wisely. Deceit, even in the name of survival, can lead to unintended and lasting consequences. The story also reflects the dangers of obsession and the abuse of power. In the end, it is integrity, compassion, and respect for others that lead to true strength—not conquest or force.








🏯✨ Fun Fact: Who Really Built the Prambanan Temple?

Did you know that in the legend, Bandung Bondowoso used magical genies to build 1,000 temples in just one night? 😮 That’s amazing... but it’s not what actually happened in real life!

In fact, the Prambanan Temple was built a long, long time ago by real kings — and it took many years to finish! It all started with King Rakai Pikatan, who began building the temple in the 9th century. 🏗️ After him, King Lokapala and King Balitung Maha Sambu helped continue the construction. Even after they were gone, other kings like King Daksa and King Tulodong kept adding more and more to the temple complex. ⛏️👑

The temple was built to honor the Hindu god Shiva, and back then, it was called Shiva-grha, which means “The House of Shiva.” 🕉️

So, while the magical story of Bandung Bondowoso is fun to tell, the real builders were hardworking people and wise kings who made something so amazing that it’s still standing today — over 1,000 years later! 😄✨










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