The Ramayana Story of Prambanan

The Ramayana story based on the Hindu epic adapted to Javanese culture makes the Ramayana Ballet a unique dance. More than 200 professional dancers and local musicians participate in the Ramayana Ballet which takes place on an open stage with Prambanan Temple as the backdrop. The Ramayana Ballet is also told in the reliefs on the Shiva Temple in the Prambanan Temple complex.

Ramayana Ballet begins with Rama's victory in an archery competition. This competition was held to find the best knight who would marry the daughter of King Mantili, Princess Shinta. At the end of the archery competition, Rama from the Ayodya Kingdom emerged as the winner. Then they got married and went to the Dandaka forest with Laksmana, Rama's brother.

In the Dandaka Forest, Rahwana kidnaps Shinta and takes her to Alengka. To reclaim Shinta, Rama, assisted by Hanoman and the monkey army, builds a bridge to the Alengka kingdom to free Shinta. A great battle ensues between the Alengka kingdom and Ayodya.

An army of monkeys fights the giants who guard the kingdom of Alengka. Ayodya in a competition to get Shinta. After winning the competition, Rama, Leksmana and Shinta wandered in the Dandaka forest.

The story ends with the death of Rahwana by Rama's arrow and the reunion of Rama and his wife Shinta. However, Rama rejects Shinta because he doubts Shinta's purity. Then Shinta burns herself to prove her purity. Shinta is saved from the fire and this proves that Shinta is still pure. Finally Rama and Shinta are reunited.