The Legend of the Thousandth Temple

I called him arrogant and conceited, because he led the princess to become entangled in a love story that has gone down in history. Who was he? What did he do that caused their love story to be immortalized in the folklore of the archipelago?

Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need to worry, because today, I am Rofiqoh Mutmainah, the student from MA Diponegoro, and want to tell you a story about the princess, the powerful prince, and the love story that changed history.

(Narrative)

In the ancient days of Central Java, there was a greedy and harsh king named Prabu Baka, but he had a clever and beautiful daughter named Roro Jonggrang.

One day, a powerful prince from Pengging named Bandung Bondowoso arrived to expand his territory. He stood in front of the palace and challenged the King.

Bandung Bondowoso: King Baka! Today, your kingdom will be destroyed by my hand! Surrender… or you will feel the full force of my power!

King Baka: Surrender? HAHAHA! Never! I am the ruler of this kingdom! As long as I am alive, no one can touch it! Fight me if you’re brave enough!

Bandung Bondowoso (deliberately provoked King Baka’s anger): HAHAHA! Come on, you coward!!

King Baka (His anger flared, and he swung his sword at Bandung Bondowoso): What?! Who are you calling a coward, huh?!

(Narrative)

A fierce battle ensued! Swords clashed and the earth shook. Bandung Bondowoso was too strong. He used his magical keris and—JLEB!—it pierced King Baka’s chest.

King Baka: How… could this be… (He is slowly dead)

Bandung Bondowoso: HAHAHA! NOW, THIS KINGDOM IS MINE!

(Narrative)

Roro Jonggrang watched the battle from her window. She was shocked to see her father die. Suddenly, Bandung Bondowoso saw her and was immediately captivated by her beauty.

Bandung Bondowoso (shout to Roro Joggrang): Wow… who is this beautiful girl? Your face is so captivating, my love… I will make you my wife!

Roro Jonggrang (was shocked): What? Become your wife? The man who killed my father?

(Narrative)

Roro Jonggrang was afraid, but she had a cunning plan to refuse him.

Roro Jonggrang: Alright, if you want to marry me… I have a condition. Build me a thousand temples and two wells… in a single night!

Bandung Bondowoso: Wells and a thousand temples? Hmph… is that all? Alright, I’ll grant it!

(Narrative)

Bandung Bondowoso then summoned his supernatural army to help him.

Bandung Bondowoso: O Jinn! Come forth! Help me build a thousand temples tonight!

(Narrative)

The genies came in droves. They worked very fast. Roro Jonggrang grew anxious as she saw the temples rising quickly.

Roro Jonggrang (confused): How can he do this so fast? I must stop him! Nine hundred eighty-nine temples are already built, but the sun is not up yet!

(Narrative)

Hmm… I wonder what she will do to stop him? Do you all know?

Roro Jonggrang gathered her people and gave a command.

Roro Jonggrang: Quick! Light the fires! Pound the rice! Make the genies think morning has arrived!

(Narrative)

The genies heard the rooster crow “Cock-a-doodle-doo” and saw the light from the fires. They thought it was dawn and disappeared, leaving the work unfinished. Bandung Bondowoso panicked and started counting.

Bandung Bondowoso: One… twenty… three hundred… nine hundred ninety-nine? Only 999?!

(Narrative)

Bandung Bondowoso was furious. He realized that Roro Jonggrang had deceived him.

Bandung Bondowoso: RORO JONGGRANG! YOU HAVE DECEIVED ME! If you want one more temple… then you yourself will become that final temple!

(Narrative)

Lightning struck! Roro Jonggrang’s body slowly turned to stone and became a statue. Bandung Bondowoso immediately wept and regretted his actions.

Bandung Bondowoso: Oh no… Roro… what have I done? Please, turn back!

(Narrative)

But it was too late. Roro Jonggrang became the thousandth temple, and that is why we can still see her today at Prambanan Temple.