The Tragic Legend of Roro Jonggrang

The story of Roro Jonggrang is a tragic tale of love, deception, and supernatural powers. It takes place in two neighboring kingdoms in Java, Pengging and Boko. The wise king of Pengging, Prabu Damar Moyo, had a son named Bandung Bondowoso. In contrast, Boko was ruled by a cruel giant, Prabu Boko, and his daughter, Roro Jonggrang.

A war broke out between the two kingdoms, and Bandung Bondowoso defeated Prabu Boko. Mesmerized by Roro Jonggrang's beauty, he proposed marriage, but she rejected him. Bandung Bandawasa persisted and finally, Rara Jonggrang agreed to marry him under two impossible conditions: he must build a well and a thousand temples in one night.

With supernatural powers, Bandung Bandawoso completed the well but was tricked by Rara Jonggrang into being buried alive. He escaped and continued building the temples with the help of spirits. To prevent him from finishing, Rara Jonggrang and her maids created the illusion of sunrise. The spirits fled, leaving the last temple unfinished.

Enraged, Bandung Bandawoso placed a curse on Rara Jonggrang, turning her into stone. She became a part of the unfinished temple, completing it and fulfilling the conditions for their union. The legend of Roro Jonggrang is a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and the power of love.