++

These collosal statues weren't ripped off simply because of their sheeer weight. Buddah's feet rest upon a stylized lotus blossom and his hand is held in the gesture of a preacher (mudra: dharmachakra): Architects put a shaft on one side of the chamber to let in moon and sunrays in order to illuminate the main Buddah image. Buddah's back support is flanked by an elephant, a lion, a makara. What was once holy to the ancestors of the Javanese is still holy and there might be fresh offerings of flowers and food in the laps of the statues and incense smoking at Buddah's feet. The empty niches in the interior used to contain four dhayani Buddah statues. A.orofound air of tranquility inside.