News Analysis |
Despite the cold weather of 10 degree Celsius, Hindu religious worshippers gathered at the Base of Mount Broom in Indonesia to mark the festival of Yana Masada on 9th and 10th of July.
The festival is marked by various rituals and prayers performed by worshippers. However, the festival ends with the main ritual on 14th date of Kasada month where worshippers throw fruits, vegetables, rice, flowers, and livestock as the offering in the crater of Mount Bromo, which they believe is the mountain of gods.
The main festival of the Hindu Tenggerese people in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia, lasts about a month. In which thousands of worshippers gather in the temple at the base of the Mount Bromo, a month before and performs rituals on every 14th of Kasada month of the Hindu lunar calendar.
The festival is marked by various rituals and prayers performed by worshippers. However, the festival ends with the main ritual on 14th date of Kasada month where worshippers throw fruits, vegetables, rice, flowers, and livestock as the offering in the crater of Mount Bromo, which they believe is the mountain of gods.
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Origins of festival
The origins of the festival date back to 15th century, when the Princes of Tenneger started a principality with her husband, the childless couple asking their Gods to grant them with offspring. The Gods in return granted the couple with 25 children on the provision that the youngest child be sacrificed in the crater of the volcano.
To perform this ritual, people walk sea of sands up to the mountain to offer their offerings, while the worshippers perform these rituals; villagers living nearby collect those offering in nets and sheets. The offerings are the symbol of gratitude by the people of Tenneger.
The Tenneger people are believed to be the descendants of an ancient Javanese empire. The Hindu population settled near Mount Bromo, modern day Indonesia after the empire collapsed in the 15th Century
Before heading towards the mountain, the worshippers gather in temples to pray for their safety and prosperity. The rituals are then commenced at the dawn.
The Tenneger people are believed to be the descendants of an ancient Javanese empire. The Hindu population settled near Mount Bromo, modern day Indonesia after the empire collapsed in the 15th Century.
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The landscape of Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo, in the Bromo Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java, is not only known for its religious significance but is also one of popular tourist destination in the East Java part of Indonesia. This unique volcanic mountain has a magnificent panoramic view, which stands 2,392 m above sea level amidst the vast plain known as ‘Sea of Sand’.
With a cloud of smoke billowing from its crater, the rugged surface mountain standing well above the sandy landscape below has been recently included in the list of 50 Natural Wonders: The Ultimate List of Scenic Splendor by CNN GO.
The Mountain is a four-hour drive from the Surabaya, the capital of East Java covers an area of 800 sq.Km. the mountain is not the tallest and the only volcanic one in Indonesia but is able to grasp a lot of attention due to its incredible beauty.
With a cloud of smoke billowing from its crater, the rugged surface mountain standing well above the sandy landscape below has been recently included in the list of 50 Natural Wonders: The Ultimate List of Scenic Splendor by CNN GO.
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Tourist Attraction
Not only followers and worshippers attend the festival, but a large number of tourists visit this place every year to witness the festival.
This annual activity has a tremendous effect for the locals. It’s better to hold these events on decided dates so the preparation and promo activities can be executed way before the event. We must also pay attention to Beyond Bromo and sell [tourism] packages so it will have an impact in increasing the economy of Tenggerese people who live 2.329 meters above sea level,” the official added.
According to the tourism department, the festival is a source to improve the economic condition of the people living in Tenneger. The government has also added the festival in its national agenda, and according to the official statement, the government plans to mark specific dates for the festival so that proper promotional activities can be set prior to the festival.
This annual activity has a tremendous effect for the locals. It’s better to hold these events on decided dates so the preparation and promo activities can be executed way before the event. We must also pay attention to Beyond Bromo and sell [tourism] packages so it will have an impact in increasing the economy of Tenggerese people who live 2.329 meters above sea level,” the official added.