b'soul stirrring jouring journeyneysssoul-stir4. 5. BOROBUDUR TEMPLE4. HAMPI, KARNATAKA, INDIAWandering the boulder-strewn landscapeCOMPOUNDS, JAVA, INDONESIAof Hampi is a surreal experience. HundredsBuilt atop a remote hill, Borobudur in Central of monumentsforts, temples, pillars,Java is the worlds largest Buddhist monu-royal enclosuresdot the banks of thement, dating to the 8th and 9th centuries. Tungabhadra River in Karnataka. Most ofThis magnificent pyramidal structure the ruins are from the 14th-16th centuries,has nine platforms. Bas-relief sculptures, when Hampi was capital of the prosperousdepicting the Buddhas life, teachings, and Vijayanagar Empire. A lovely riverside walkthe everyday world in Java a millennia ago, leads you to the imposing Vitthala temple, acover the walls of the six lower platforms. living temple, with intricately carved pillars,Climbing Borobudur is considered a and an iconic stone chariot shrine. Expansivepilgrimage. The structure of the temple rep-Virupaksha temple is equally magnificent, itsresents the universe, according to Buddhist nine-tiered tower looks all the more majesticcosmology. Ascending each floor is said to in the early morning light. The half-man,mirror the quest for enlightenment. For a half-lion, 22-foot avatar of the god Vishnu,truly local experience you may choose to called the Grand Narasimha Monolith, iswalk with devotees along narrow corridors, yet another instance of the splendor of thisadmiring the narrative stone panels. Travel group of monuments. The pillared halls,from the lowest level, a plane bound by pavilions or mandapas, and lofty pyramidaldesire, to higher storyswhich represents towers or gopurams are all stellar examplesthe moving from darkness to light. You of Dravidian or South Indian temple archi- dont have to be a pilgrim to be a part of the tecture that will leave any visitor amazed. spiritual journey here.Karnataka Explored: Heritage and Land-Highlights of Java and BaliSIDE CREDITscapes (13 Nights from $ 4,590 / person) (12 Nights from $ 2,190 / person)enchantingtravels.com/hampi-india enchantingtravels.com/borobudur-indonesia44 F BE ENCHANTED'