The Borobudur stupa is a massive, symmetrical monument, 200 square meters in size, sitting upon a low sculptured hill. Symbolically, Borobudur is an embodiment of three concepts it is, at the same time, a stupa, a replica of the cosmic mountain Mt. Meru, and a mandala an instrument to assist meditation. The pathway up the temple spirals around the centre so that the pilgrim may view over nearly five kilometres of bas-reliefs depicting events found in Buddhist sutras and in the Buddha's life. Three terraces are 72 small stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha these statues are usually headless relic hunters stole many of the heads, others are in museums. Crowning the entire structure is a great central stupa.
