300 Traveling Indonesia: Gedong Songo Temple, Semarang, Central Java

300 Traveling Indonesia: Gedong Songo Temple, Semarang, Central Java: Known as the relic dynasty of Syailendra , built in the 9th century , a Hindu -style temple is quite unique , located on the top o...

Gedong Songo Temple, Semarang, Central Java

Known as the relic dynasty of Syailendra, built in the 9th century, a Hindu-style temple is quite unique, located on the top of hills, or at altitude, on the slopes of Mount Ungaran and divided in several groups temple. It's quite tiring to achieve it, because we have to climb up and down the hill. Thankfully the air here is very cool, so sweat dries quickly

Gedong 5 Temple

Gedong 5 temple

Located at an altitude of about 1200 meters above sea level, this temple complex seems to still continue to be renovated, when we arrived at parking area, parking location is still filled with a variety of building materials. The gate was clearly visible as the buildings are made in the modern era with the ancient architecture.

Gate, to enter the complex of Gedong Songo Tample

While nearly, signs of repair or restoration activities are visible at the temple area.  Hopefully Gedong Songo temple complex will be guarded into a historical tourist destination, so it is useful for learning the history of the ancestors, and become one of the nice place to be visit. Moreover, its location relative not too far to the Borobudur Temple (The Biggest Buddhist Temple in the world)  and Prambanan Temple (The most artistic Hindus Temple) that are already known globally.

Gedong 4 temple

Gedong 4 temple

It is said that this temple complex was first discovered in the 1800's, in the era of Rafless, and consecutively researched and restored in the days of the Dutch East Indies government until around 1930. Rafless first named Candi Pitoe (seven temple), now referred to as Gedong Songo, (nine buildings) but we only see the temple complex just 5 ??

Gedong 3 temple

Gedong 3 temple

Ticket to enter the temple complex is only 5 thousand rupiah per person (13 thousand rupiah equivalent to 1 US Dollar), while to come one after the temple complex can be done on foot, or hire a horse, with a rate of 50 thousand rupiah for a horse with one passenger. Each horse will be guided by the owner, while the owner will serve as a tour guide to us. While leading a horse owner will tell or explain details of the temple, or anything about the Temple or she will answer your questions.

ride a horse to temple complex

go to temple complex

I decided to walk in order to more freely to take photos, while four other family members rented a horse. To be honest I was not able to keep pace with the speed of the horse and its guide, though I push myself until breathe wheezing. I do not want to miss a moment, and then I force myself and ordered that do not split up and wait for me, when you had reached the location of the temples.

To steam heat location

Steam heat, comes out of the rock

Cottage, near the temple complex

In addition to the temple complex, there are also hot sulfur springs, located between  Gedong 3 and 4. The thick smoke billowing out of the slits stone with a hissing sound like a hissing sound coming out of the teapot or kettle cooking water if the water is boiling, while hot water coming out of here flowed into a permanent pond that was designed as an a hot water bath, supposedly hot bath sulfur from sources believed to cure various diseases

Gedong 2 temple

On a slope near Gedong 2 complex, being built cottages with wooden architecture for lodging, the ideal landscape located between pine trees and overlooking the valley, a perfect combination, very suitable for those seeking peace of nature, throwing stress. ., you can imagine how good relax in the lodge looked directly into temples and valleys and the hills in front of him, in a calm and cool air ...

Gedong 1 temple

In addition to Gedong Songo temple, we can visit Meseum Railway in Ambarawa, approximately 30 minutes away by car. In Semarang we could visit the Lawang Sewu, a Dutch heritage building that is located at the intersection of the monument, then may proceed to visit Sam Phoo Kong temple, a temple which exploits a famous Admiral Zheng He, then it could also proceed to visit the Great Mosque of Central Java , supposedly this is the grandest mosque in Central Java.

entrance gate

Notes of signs in location:

Details of history,
Located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran at coordinates 110 ° 20? 32.88 'east longitude and 7 ° 12'39.72 "south latitude, at sub-Village of Darum, Village Temple, District Bandungan, Semarang regency, Central Java Province, Gedong Songo  derived from the Javanese language “gedong”  (homes / buildings), and Songo (nine), and means nine (group) of the building. What this means is that in the complex from the outset consists of nine groups, or other means cannot be answered. But at the moment there are only five groups of buildings.

The temple complex was built in a row from the bottom to the top of the hills. This shows a very specific character that is a blend of two religions that are local (the belief in ancestral spirits) and global Hindu (Mount as the abode of the Gods). Both religions are standing equally in Gedongsongo, indicated by giving a new meaning to that place / offerings ancestral spirits who have become gods and rites were performed in the temple.

Statues of Hindu Gods in the temple complex which was built around the eighth century is no longer complete. Statues that can be found are Durga (Shiva's wife), Ganesha (son of Shiva). And Agastya (a sage who has spiritual abilities equivalent to god). As well as the guardian of Lord Shiva namely Nandiswara and Mahakala who served as gatekeeper Hindu temple.

Research and restoration history,
Loten, 1740 found the temple complex Gedongsongo.  Rafles, 1840 record the complex with the name Gedong Pitoe because only found seven groups of buildings. Van Braam make the publication in 1925. Friederich and Hoopermans write about Gedongsongo 1865. Van Stein Callenfels Knebel conduct an inventory of research and findings in the year 1910-1911.

Research by the Department of Antiquities in 1916. The Netherlands carried out later followed by 1 year of restoration Gedong Gedong II 1928/1929 and 1930/1931 years. Meanwhile, during the reign of the Republic of Indonesia, restoration on Gedong III, IV and V by SPSP (now Archaeological Heritage Preservation Bureau) Central Java in 1977-1983. In 2009 the restoration at Perwara Temple C1, and consolidation perwara temples C2, at Gedong IV complex, and remapping.

300 Traveling Indonesia: Bromo, a never ending story

300 Traveling Indonesia: Bromo, a never ending story: Taken from the air, Bromo and mount Semeru at background Bromo is a volcano on volcano…   You might be confused about this ?, well,...

Bromo, a never ending story

Taken from the air, Bromo and mount Semeru at background

Bromo is a volcano on volcano…  You might be confused about this ?, well, it is true. Bromo is a volcano that exists on a big caldera of Tengger Volcano, Located at east Java Indonesia. Easy to accessed from Surabaya city or Malang city. And there are so many hotels, guest houses, or home stay up to the lips of the Caldera. Bromo is one of the favorite tourist destinations in east Java. Traveling here is considered cheap, using own car or by public transport.

Bromo, view from Penanjakan

Sun rise from Penanjakan

Sun rise from Ngadisari

The scenery of the mountains, the caldera, and the crater of the Bromo is so amazing. Sun rise view from Penanjakan, or from the peak of the Bromo is also unforgettable moment. To interact with friendly and helpful local people also a delightful thing. Experiencing their life in Hindus tradition amid the Moslem tradition is one of the uniqueness even by most of Indonesian people. As you may know, Indonesia is the biggest Moslem country in the world. 

I have no idea, how many times I’ve been here, but as long as I remember, this is my second trip with my family.

Bromo indeed “a never ending story”, never bored to talk about it, and never get tired to visit again and again.

It is my trip about two years ago. In this trip we choose to drive to Ngadisari while our previous trip was to Penanjakan. - the other lips of the caldera of Tengger.

At Penanjakan, we focus on the sun rise moment, which is so beautiful, when the sun slowly rise behind the Bromo. Meaning that  Bromo become foreground. And if you lucky, no cloud, and the sky is clear you will have an unforgettable sun rise view.

At Ngadisari, we can explore more, such as the life at the village, exploring sea of sand on Tengger Caldera, hiking to Bromo crater, etc.  And there are so many hotels, guest houses or home stay. Also stalls with traditional food at affordable price.

We were visiting Bromo during the Eid holiday,  just imagine how crowded Bromo on Eid holiday season as it is today. We choose to take the route Ngadisari up to Cemoro Lawang. And yes ... all hotels was full, all home stay also full, finally we were offered by local youths to stay at his house, with rates such as five-star hotel in Surabaya, with two simple rooms, and a bathroom outside the house, not bad for a break this evening, the children did not mind otherwise sleeping in a car. So, my suggestion is don’t go there in holiday season, or if you do so please make a well proper plan of trip. Book the hotel far before you get there.

Cars, parking anywhere at Ngadisasi

That night around 9 pm. we had arrived at the terminal Ngadisari, right after Bromo Permai Hotel. To simply eliminate the fatigue, we enter the hotel and had coffee in the café. Nice to get some time for rest, and we need to toilet anyway.

International and local tourists are here, the various languages and dialects of Europe, Asia and Indonesia milling in our ears. It is interesting to observe the behavior of many groups, mingle among them with their own language, and without disturbed by other group in different language. After having coffee and toilet we go back to the house and get sleep. Tonight, we only have one event – sleep. To physically prepare for tomorrow morning to explore the sea of sand ... that is what my daughters target, since departed from home ... they didn’t interested to watch the sunrise from the lip of the crater Bromo, perhaps because they did on previous trip to Penanjakan.

Morning at Ngadisari village

This morning was so bright, almost cloudless sky, a tinge of morning sunlight touch everything on earth. Likely, all await exposure to sunlight, as well as us, the sun such as warmers god in the morning ... but then, the cold air is still cannot detained. Even though the sun was leaning upwards, we still wrapped in jackets, gloves, and hats slayer against the cold ....

Bromo covered by morning fog

There was no shower that morning. Not even wash the face, tooth brush is the only ritual we have. When I peered in the direction of the sea of sand Bromo, all still closed with dense white fog, beautiful....  Soon we shod and breakfast at roadside stalls Ngadasari. Along this road is a lot of home stay and stalls with typical menu of Java, at normal price or I would prefer to say cheap. But the taste is considered special.

Breakfast

Hard Top, awaits us

After having breakfast,  "Hard Top" – a four wheel drive Toyota -  is waiting, ready to take us to explore the oceans of sand of Bromo. We wear the masks as mandatory equipment at this time, it is because the intensity of dust is still a lot due to the eruption that occurred a few months ago ....

Ngadisari

Vegetables field, at Ngadisari Valley

Is a quiet village, cool, peaceful, fertile land, overgrown with vegetables that owned by local residents. The ethnic of the community here is Tengger, and the religion is Hindu, and the tradition is still maintained to this day. They have a personality that is polite and unpretentious. The village is relatively prosperous, beside farming, most people working in various fields around the tourism in Tengger, such as having kiosks, rent the house for lodging, car for the tour, rent a horse, a guide etc. The existence of Mount Bromo as a tourist destination brings its own blessings for the people of Tengger.  Tengger tribe is said to Majapahit citizen who fled from his home at the end of the reign of Majapahit kingdom.

Hindu's temple on Tengger Caldera

Hindu Tengger community has a tradition of Kasodo ceremony, the ritual is performed once a year in honor of the tenth Kasodo or mountain Brahma (Bromo) which is considered sacred by the inhabitants of Tengger tribe. The ceremony conducted in a temple just below Mount Batok (a mountain next to the Bromo), in the middle of the night to early morning, every full moon around 14-15 month Kasodo,  according to Java calendar.

Exploring the sea of sand Bromo

Bromo, Sea of sand

By driving "jeep" Hard Top, we slid down the path directly toward the sea of sand Bromo, some motorcycles and horses we see pass over the sea of sand,  each footwork of horse and wheeled motorcycle or car definitely flowing the dust of the sand into the air, causing the view so blurred.  It forced me to close the car windows so that dust does not get into the cabin. Strong winds also blow away the sand, even the dust of the sand that blowed away by the wind was to surpass the peak of Bromo. To walk and hike safely, masks and glasses required to be worn to avoid the eyes sore and irritated.

dust behind the car

“Teletubbies” hill is the first location that we were headed, so called because humps land that previously - before eruption – are green, clean and tidy it was like a hill of green grass in a children's movie "Teletubbies" were once famous. Teletubbies hill now looks brown due to the long drought and the impact of last year Bromo eruption that spewed sand into the air. The grassland also seems arid., sand and dust occasionally fluttering in the wind. I won’t miss the moment, so I take the camera and start to photograph. Whatever it is, Teletubbies still dazzle ..

Lion Stone

On sea of sand

Teletubbies Hill

My Family, sitting on the field that supposed to be green

 

Dry field and the green hill on backround

Next we approached "Batusinga", a rock that looks like a lion, located around "Whispering Sands" I don’t know why it called whisper sands, but if you seeing the desert, its formed like a calm sea waves, as far as the eye could see, waves of sand is there up to Bromo volcano and Mount Batok, or on the other background, Tengger caldera lips presents a beautiful painting. The bright skies with sunlight without cloud over Bromo add the spectacular appearance, once again capture the beauty with camera.

Bromo Crater

Satisfied to enjoy the sea of sand, we move towards Mount Bromo, to hike and enjoy the Bromo crater phenomenon. We stopped at the site bounded by concrete, these concrete as markers that vehicles are prohibited passing because in these restricted areas, there are earthquake monitoring sensor beneath the earth, it is feared if the vehicles entering this area, wheel vibrations will disrupt the work of the sensor.

Starting point

On the way to Bromo

Free

Down from Hard Top, some horse owners approached us offering horseback riding to the stairs to the Bromo crater, but we've agreed to proceed on foot, so there is the sensation of hiking, My 7 year pretty little daughter, agreed to on foot.

Desert storm

Bromo crater is still far away, the temple was looked small, but we keep the spirit, any way, many other people also walk, it keep up the spirit of the children to continue walking. Amid our trip, we see on our left, into the sand, a "storm sand "moving to our direction, a bit nervous to see it, then we urge all to wear masks and glasses, as well as hold your breath and close your eyes during sand storms that crossed us. At the direction of the peak of Bromo we also see the sand dust moving upward across the top of Bromo, as if he were moving like smoke lightly follow the wind direction, this is incredible, we've never found anything like this before Bromo eruption.

The Gorges

We've been through the temple and now stands at the foot of Mount Bromo, after down thru gorges and hiked towards the stairs, the little girl began to seem slow, but she did not give up, we cheer, you can Baby, come forward .... so her older sisters gave spirit, we continue to move forward, slow but sure, sand lining the streets is very disturbing, our steps become so heavy, sometimes making us slipped down. The step cannot be long because it's slippery sand.

At the stairs that full of sand

Finally arrived at the first rung, but it was surprising, it turns out this is not the first rung, because half of the stairs is already submerged in the sand, so in fact we've been  half way of the ladder track, even this ladder path to the peak also covered by sand, so it must be careful because of slippery, some concrete safeguards the right of the stairs on the left is also missing, so little trouble climbing stairs because we climb without a handle, we continue to climb until we actually at the lips of the crater

On the lips of the Crater

The Crater

The Crater

The lips of the crater are narrow, actually there is concrete fence as high as adult’s chest to safeguard the visitor. Now the fence is beneath the sand from the eruption. This is really dangerous for tourists, especially because the crater wall now looks very steep, the surface of the crater becomes very deep and narrow and looks still boiling. The local government may soon build a new fence for the safety and convenience of tourists.

Strong winds that bring sand is very disturbing visitors, jacket and pants we wear has been filled with sand, even though we wear masks and always cover  mouth, still feels grains of sand between the teeth, sometimes by accident we chew sand too. Several times I rubbed my eyes, the same reason, because of the sand, despite being protected with sunglasses.

My little girl several times seen took off  his shoes and throw sand were deposited therein. Sand that is very disturbing, but it does not diminish our spirit to mingle with Bromo ....

Horse and Batok mountain, on the way down

Happy, successful hiking

On the way back to Ngadisari

The sun is already located right above us when we came back, the children are satisfied and the little girl proud she finally successfully hiked to the summit of Bromo. And in my heart I promise, I will visit you again ... See You Bromo ...