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:

A flashy, frigid waterfowl
A symbol of peace
10 Jun 2025Everglades National Park, Florida, United States
26 Jan 2025European beech forest, Belgium
16 Mar 2026National Panda Day
31 Dec 2023Happy New Years Eve!
1 May 2024Lei Day
2 Dec 2023Angkor, Cambodia
10 Jan 2026The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee, Zermatt, Switzerland
23 Nov 2025Fibonacci Day
23 Feb 2025Mount Fuji Day
13 Oct 2023Vieste, Apulia, Italy
27 May 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Life on the lake
8 Jul 2024Blueberries growing in the wild
Glasto turns 50
21 Nov 2025World Hello Day
25 Oct 2025Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
Sep 9, 2023Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
1 Jun 2025World Reef Awareness Day
25 Nov 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
This bird is peak beak
21 Jun 2024World Giraffe Day
19 Mar 2025A black heron canopy hunting in Botswana
1 Sep 2024Totally Thames Festival, London
19 Sep 2024International Talk Like a Pirate Day
15 Sep 2024Stockholm Public Library, Sweden
Remember, remember…
Stunning symmetry
4 Sep 2024Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan