Prambanan · The Ramayana Taken Apart

The spires of Prambanan are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, and the galleries carry the whole of the Ramayana carved in relief.

An earthquake in the sixteenth century brought it down. The stones lay scattered in the grass, and the later reconstruction put them back one block at a time — a task that is still unfinished.

Dance performances are held here at night. The performers say the stones know the lines: every time a certain passage is reached, the wind pauses.

Historical Mysteries / Yogyakarta · Indonesia / 9th century