TEMPLE Cetho - Search for clearness Heart at the height of 1400 m

Unlike the other temples, the Hindu temple seemed mysterious and very strong spiritual aura. In addition to promising tranquility and beauty of the scenery, a trip to the Temple Cetho is a challenging test of bravery and courage of its own.

In the Java language, Cetho means obvious or clear. Situated at an altitude of 1400 meters on the slopes of Mount Lawu, which lies precisely in the "village Cetho", District Jenawi Karanganyar. Cetho temple can only be achieved through a narrow asphalt road, climbed the steep and winding. Anxiety and fear will pay off when I got in the temple complex. The cool mountain air and beautiful scenery will be a loyal friend to explore the Temple Cetho.

Towering arch gracefully under the sky will instantly bring memories of the arches on the island, Bali. Two statues guard shaped like a prehistoric statue stood in silence beneath. This landtemple area of extending to a staircase and built at the end of the Majapahit Empire power under the rule of King Brawijaya V.

In one of its core there is arrangement of stones with the sun-shaped sculpture that reflects the Sun Majapahit, the symbol of the Majapahit Kingdom. This temple was first discovered in the ruins of stone with 14 core rise. However, now the only remaining 13 core, 9 of them have been restored.

As a place to worship God Shiva, this temple is decorated with a statue of a phallus symbol of Siwa. There are also statues Brawijaya V and counsel and phallus-shaped stone and Yoni measuring two meters. Trapezoid-shaped main building are at the core top.

Until now Cetho Temple is still used by locals as a place of worship. They lay offerings at the statues and then climbed to the highest terrace for religious rituals. Fragrant flowers and incense offerings, coupled with frequent fog that blanketed the area down to give the impression of a mystical temple.

Temple Cetho be the perfect place for the traveler looking for clarity liver. Watch locals perform religious rituals at this temple will be a special experience.

Read More >>

Sukuh - Erotic Temple Are Not Many Known

Sukuh - Erotic temple are not many known - Unlike the Khajuraho temple in India that was worldwide, Sukuh is not yet widely known. Never mind you, there are many people Jogja that do not know of the existence of this temple. Perhaps because of its remote location on the slopes of Mount Lawu at an altitude of more than a thousand meters above sea level.

From Terminal Tirtonadi Solo, We can ride the public bus majors "Solo-Tawangmangu" and get off at Karang Pandan, followed by minibus majors Kemuning and connected with a motorcycle taxi (the local term called " ojek " ) to the temple area. If bringing your own vehicle, it is advisable to use diesel-powered cars of 2000 cc or more to ease the journey through some steep grades.

The temple complex is not as extensive. Occupying a plot of land terraces, the main gate Sukuh not positioned in the middle but on the right front. Right and left sides are decorated with some relief. A stone staircase that is high enough to bring us into the alley gate.

To rise to the second terrace, we have to go down again and went around through the right side. From the second terrace then clearly visible in the form of relief this gate. One is a picture of an eagle clutching the legs of a dragon. What is surprising is the relief of some human figures in a state of plain, without any clothes at all!
Something that is quite astonishing when considering the eastern culture is very strong with moral norms

Compounded when considering
that this is a temple, an identical
building as a place of prayers and
worship of the god. Peered into
the alley gate, offering flowers
and incense on the floor, near a relief in the form of linga and
yoni circle of the chain.

Closer to the main temple on the third terrace, stands a waist-
high stone platform of adults on
the left. There is a stone tower
on the front of the stage, again
decorated with erotic reliefs of nude figures. One side of the tower bearing the image of a horseshoe-shaped relief with two human figures in it. By most people, relief is believed to depict a woman's uterus with the left figure represents the evil and the right figure represents virtue. An ancillary temples stand in front of the main temple. Rotate to the right, stands the figure of the
statue (statue Gupala) without a head. Gupala holds the "spear" is
too large compared to its body
size, not proportional. Wow!

One more interesting than Sukuh is a different architecture. If the other temples built in the shape that symbolizes Mount Meru, the Sukuh has a very simple with a trapezoidal shape.

Built in the XV century, shortly before the collapse of the Majapahit Empire, the temple is more like the pyramids of the Maya tribes of Central America. Can two different ethnic groups from two different continents can make buildings with architectural and design are almost similar? Or indeed any influence in the development of Mayan Sukuh in the reign of King Brawijaya this?

Various theories and allegations emerged. One of them said that this temple was built in the days when Hindu glory began to fade. As a result, development Sukuh made with the concept back to the prehistoric megalithic culture. Another theory states that the form of this temple is part of the quest story Tirta Amerta (the water of life) is contained in the book Adiparwa, the first book of the Mahabharata. A truncated pyramid whose top represents the peak of Mount Mandaragiri cut and used for churning the ocean to find Tirta Amerta who can give eternal life to anyone who drank it.

The mysteries and questions are still covered Sukuh. Not just a walk in the cool mountain slopes while enjoying the ancient architecture of the last temples built in Java. Trail around looking for stories and pieces of evidence to uncover the mysteries of the past history will be one of the tourist experience challenging and fun.

Read More >>