Prambanan

Prambanan, the Most Beautiful Hindu Temple in the World
Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, among an area that now functions as beautiful park.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.

Entering Shiva temple, the highest temple and is located in the middle, you will find four rooms. One main room contains Shiva statue, while the other three rooms contain the statues of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga statue is said to be the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the above legend.

In Vishnu temple, to the north of Shiva temple, you will find only one room with Vishnu statue in it. In Brahma temple, to the south of Shiva temple, you find only room as well with Brahma statue in it.

Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located close to Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is of golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings similar to eagle's. It is assumed that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shines') that is associated with the god of the Sun or Re in Old Egypt mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods).

Its ability to save her mother made many people admire it to the present time and it is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as the symbol of the country. Other country using the same symbol is Thailand, with the same reason but different form adaptation and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.

Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. Experts say that the relief is similar to the story of Ramayana that is told orally from generation to generation. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that - in Hindu - the tree is considered tree of life, eternity and environment harmony. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described as flanking a lion. The presence of this tree makes experts consider that Javanese society in the ninth century had wisdom to manage its environment.

Just like Garuda, Kalpataru tree is also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru is used as the logo of Indonesian Environment Institution. Some intellectuals in Bali even develop "Tri Hita Karana" concept for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. This tree of life is also seen in the gunungan (the puppet used as an opening of traditional puppet show or wayang kulit). This proves that relief panels in Prambanan have been widely known throughout the world.

If you see the relief in detail, you will see many birds on them; they are real birds as we can see on the earth right now. Relief panels of such birds are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One of them is the relief of the Yellow-Crest Parrot (Cacatua sulphurea) that cites unanswered question. The reason is that the bird only exists in Masakambing Island, an island in the middle of Java Sea. Then, did the bird exist in Yogyakarta? No body has succeeded in revealing the mystery.

You can discover many more things in Prambanan. You can see relief of Wiracarita Ramayana based on oral tradition. If you feel tired of enjoying the relief, you can take a rest in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since 18 September 2006, you can enter zone 1 area of Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being reconstructed. Please come and enjoy Prambanan temple

Borobudur

Borobudur, the Biggest Buddhist Temple in the Ninth Century

Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. Millions of people are eager to visit this building as one of the World Wonder Heritages. It is not surprising since architecturally and functionally, as the place for Buddhists to say their prayer, Borobudur is attractive.

Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place.

Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful the sculptors were. In order to understand the sequence of the stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang).

All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect Buddha's teachings. For the reason, this temple functions as educating medium for those who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES suggests that you walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order for you to know the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the tenth century once visited this temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having supply of Buddha teaching script from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to improve Buddha's teachings after his return to India and he built a religion institution, Vikramasila Buddhism. Later he became the leader of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa were then summarized as the core of the teaching called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or well known as Bodhipathapradipa.

A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain.

With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away

WANAGAMA

WANAGAMA, Piece of a Story about Reforestation and the Teak Wood Tree of Prince Charles

Wanagama covers four villages in Kecamatan Patuk and Playen, Gunung Kidul, which takes us one hour drive from Yogyakarta to get there. Along the trip, we can see the beautiful scenery of Yogyakarta city from the height. Arriving at the traffic light after Bunder Rest Area, there is a sign board with WANAGAMA written on it and an arrow directing to the right. YogYES turns right to take a narrowing but asphalted road. The gate written with HUTAN WANAGAMA seems to tell visitors that they have arrived at the forest that was established since 1964.

Reforestating critical land

Exploring Wanagama at present, we will think of the past condition of this area as a infertile and barn land. It was due to illegal logging.

The concern about the critical and barn condition of the location moved some academists from Forestry Department of Gadjah Mada University to reforestate the are. Then, the big project of reforestrating the area with reddish brown mediteranian soil began.

The reforestation project was pioneered by Prof. Oemi Hani'in Suseno and it began to be done since 1964. Using her personal finance, the professor who got Kalpataru Award (highest award in Indonesia for environment issues) planted Wanagama of which width was 10 hectares by that time.

The persistence of Prof. Oemi and her colleagues to plan the critical land attracted my parties such as the government and environment lovers. They cooperate to realize Wanagama to become 600 hectares of green area as seen today.

Forest miniature with various plants

In fact, forest offers strong sensation to return to nature. That is one of the things you will get when you make a tour to Wanagama. It seems like we are in the miniature of a forest with different plants from different areas when we are in Wanagama.

There are lines of trees accompanying our trip exploring the green Wanagama, started with acacia trees, which produce pulp as the primadona of many Industrial Plant Forest companies in Indonesia. Then, it is contined with eucalypti, which is famous for its eucalyptus oil to warm our body.

Besides, there is a line of pine trees (Pinus merkusii). This line of the trees that many of them are found in Central Sumatra is quite shadowy when the sun shines brightly.

Wanagama still has many other plants such as ebony (Diospyros celebica) the black wood from Sulawesi, sandal wood (Santalum album) the fragrant wood, murbei (Morus Alba) and teak wood (Tectona grandis).

In addition to plants, Wanagama also has another beauty namely three streams of water including Oya River, Sendang Ayu, and Banyu Tibo. All of these three offer freshness and coolness when you are weary after exploring Wanagama.

What Prince Charles left in Gunung Kidul

Wanagama has one tree that makes this tourism object known worldwide.

It is the teak wood tree (Tectona grandis) known as Jati Londo planted by Prince Charles when he paid a visit to Wanagama in 1989. It was told that there is a unique relationship between the famous tree and the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. When it was 1 meter high, this tree dried at the same time with the announcement of the separation of the English Royal couple. Did the teak wood mourn over the separation of the planter?

In addition to Jati Londo, Prince Charles also left a favorite route usually taken by visitors of Wanagama. The route starts from Wisma Cendana and ends at Hell Hill. The road is 50 meters long with many sandal woods along both sides.

Teak wood is one of the trees found most in Wanagama. This plant is famous for its durability and strength. The superiority of teak wood is so famous that English Marine takes special precaution with regards to this. The manual of English Marine suggested that they avoid China ships made from this kind of wood since they can destroy the steel of English Marine ships when they crash (Wikipedia).

Wanagama and the surrounding society

Wanagama does not only serve as a place for various plants to grow, but it is also a place for the surrounding society to make their living. Wanagama and the society cooperate closely to benefit both parties.

Raising cows is the livelihood lived by most of the people in the community around Wanagama. It is allowed for the society to plant kalanjana grass in between the vacant land in Wanagama. The grass serves as food for the cows owned by the society. In return, Wanagama gets organic fertilizer from the waste of the cows.

Besides, there are people from the surrounding area who sell honey. The honey is harvested from the bee farm to the north-east of Wanagama. Just like the plantation of the grass, the bee farm is also located among the thickness of Wanagama forest. Ussualy, during rainy season, stock of honey is abundant because at this time, flowers are blooming. If you want to take the honey home, you only have to pay IDR 80,000 per bottle.

Exploring Wanagama compares to the satisfaction that we obtain. We will be astonished by this reforestation masterpiece

Sultan Palace

Sultan Palace

It lies between Tugu as the north border and Panggung Krapyak as the south border, between Code River in the east and Winongo River in the west; between the Merapi Mountain and the South Sea. In the mind of the Javanese community, kraton is defined as center of the world that is described as center of the universe.

History of the Sultan Palace

After the Giyanti Agreeement, Yogyakarta territory was given to Pangeran Mangkubumi. To run his governance, he built a palace in 1755 in Hutan Beringan area; such a good place flanked by two rivers that protect it from being flooded. The first king of Yogyakarta Palace was Pangeran Mangkubumi with the title Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I (HB I).

Naming and Meaning of the Lay Out

Karaton, Keraton or Kraton, originates from the word ke-ratu-an that means the place where the queen/king lives. Simple explanation of its broader meaning is that all structures and buildings in the Kraton area have significant meaning related to essential Javanese philosophy of life, namely Sangkan Paraning Dumadi that means the origin and the destination of human being.

In general, the Kraton area stretches 5 kilometers southwards to Krapyak village and 2 kilometers northwards until the Tugu monument. In this imaginary line, there is a reversed dualism linear line that tells symbolical philosophy: the direction from south to north symbolizes the birth of human being from the high place to the perishable world, and the opposite direction symbolizes the return of human being to the Dumadi (God in Javanese philosophy). Kraton is physical symbol and the King is the symbol of the real soul that presents into the physical body.

The direction from the Palace to the Tugu monument represents the road of life that is full of temptations. Beringharjo market symbolizes women temptation and temptation of power is symbolized by Kepatihan building. The straight street connecting the Palace to Tugu monument symbolizes close relationship between human being and the Creator (Sangkan Paraning Dumadi).

In short, Tugu monument is a symbol of lingga (male sex organ) and Krapyak symbolizes yoni (female sex organ) and kraton is physical blend of the two.

The Meaning of Yogyakarta Space Arrangement

Hit by the earthquake in 1867, the Sultan Palace was severely damaged. During the reign of HB VII in 1889, the building was renovated. The lay out being retained, the shape of the building was changed to the current look.

Tugu monument and Manguntur Tangkil hall or Bangsal Kencana (where the king is seated), are straight in a line. This means that while sitting on his throne and looking toward the Tugu monument, he will always remember his people.

In general, the space arrangement of the current Sultan Palace is similar to the one of Mataram Dynasty. The center of the Palace is the so called Bangsal Kencana that is adjacent to Bangsal Prabayeksa as the place to keep sacred weapons (in this room, there is an oil lamp called Kyai Wiji that is kept lit by the Palace servants). This hall is surrounded by Kedhaton yard so that people must go through layers of the yard that seem like waves in order to reach the center.

This special arrangement of the Palace looks similar to constellation of mountain and Jambu Dwipa land that is considered to be central archipelago of the universe.

From north part to west part of the Palace area, there are North Square, North Siti Hinggil, North Kemandhungan, Srimanganti, Kedhaton, Kemagangan, South Kemandungan, South Siti Hinggil and South Square (the yard that is protected by high walls).

In order to reach all of the places, there are nine gates (called regol) that must be passed through, namely: gerbang, pangurukan, tarub agung, brajanala, srimanganti, kamagangan, gadhung mlati, kemandhungan and gading.

Brongtodiningrat sees the significance of this number, as the highest number to describe excellence. This is related to nine holes in human beings, commonly called babahan hawa sanga.

The sacredness of each Palace building is indicated by the frequency and intensity of Sultan activities in the location.

Sultan only visits the Square, Pagelaran, and Siti Hinggil three times a year, namely during the events of Pisowan Ageng Grebeg Maulud, Sawal and Besar and other very special, incidental events such as coronation of the Sultan and the crown prince or Pangeran Adipati Anom.

Yogyakarta Sultan Palace is an old building that was once damaged and restored. In general, it looks like other Kingdom buildings. When we understand the philosophy of them deeper, however, we will understand the symbolical meaning of life philosophy, human nature, how the nature works and human beings live their lives and various symbols of life existence in them

Agrowisata

Salak pondoh

Salak pondoh is unique plant with the upper part looks like oil palm with a little touch of fern style and they look very unique when planted in a row. The fruits growing at the low stem are small in the shape and with meat that does not stick to the seed and its sweet taste is the selling point of this fruit.

In 1958, Prof. Dr. drg Sudibyo who was still in Junior High School found the way to move salak plant in order not to die. After he succeeded in developing salak pondoh in his parent garden, Sudibyo asked local community to develop it together. The plantation of salak pondoh that had to sacrifice other plants was initially refused. With his persistence, the community began to follow him. The peak was in 1988 when Sudibyo initiated the foundation of Turi Salak Agro Tourism.

Enjoying Natural Atmosphere

To reach Turi Agro Tourism, there are Jalan Palagan Tentara Pelajar and Jalan Magelang to take. Entering Turi District, the scenery of salak plants on both sides of the street becomes sensation of the village nuance after passing through rice field and gardens owned by local people.

Usually, the yard of the houses is planted with mango trees or roses. It does not apply in this area. Some blocks of the house yard are functioned as salak pondoh garden. Even, there are some houses that are encircled by salak pondoh plants, only leaving small path for small pick-up cars to bring the crops.

It is not difficult to get to agro tourism are since many signs will lead readily you. If you are still in doubt, come to local people and ask them. They will be friendly to tell you the direction.

Going Around the Fruit Garden

Turi Agro Tourism is as wide as 27 hectares land that is changed into salak pondoh garden, children play ground, fish pond and swimming pool. This tourism complex is located in Gadung village, Bangunkerto Sub District, Turi District, Slemen Regency.

After 25 kilometers trip northwards of Jogja city, a gate with the writing of Wisata Agro will welcome you. Entering the location that was opened since 1994, each person will have to pay 8,000 Rupiah. With this tariff, a guide will accompany visitors to go around the salak garden before finally take a rest in a garden where they can try salak pondoh that is famous for its sweetness. If you only want to have a look, just pay 2,000 Rupiah.

Located at the height of 200 meters above sea level, the weather is so good for salak pondoh growth. The cool air gives comfort while going around this garden. When you walk through the salak plants, you will even hear the sound of soft rustling wind just like the sea wind so that you feel like walking through a village by the seashore.

One of the main products of Turi Agro Tourism is Kebun Nusantara. There are not less than 17 kinds of salak plants in this two hectares area, ranging from superior salak pondoh, yellow salak pondoh, black salak pondoh, condet salak pondoh, manggala salak, gaing salak, bali salak, semeru salak and tanonjaya salak.

In addition to salak plants, there are also medication plants such as ginger, temulawak, blimbing wuluh, galingale, and others for traditional recipes.

Relaxing with the Family

On holidays, Turi Agro Tourism can be an alternative for the family to relax; either fishing or playing rowing boat in the pond located beside the swimming pool.

Sitting on the mattress spread at the side of the fishing pond or in the lodging in the middle of the fishing pond and eating the supplies with the members of the family while enjoying the blue skies and birds that occasionally passing by or looking at the circles formed on the surface when the fish come up will be a pleasant picnic.

If you have to visit Turi Agro Tourism by the end of the year, please do. In Novembers and Decembers this area is flooded with salak crop. Salak fruit will decorate the female salak plants.

If you want to get some gifts, you may buy them in the cooperation that provides many kinds of traditional snacks and food. One of them is salak cracker that dr Sudibyo invented to overcame surplus of salak production. This cracker is made from salak through drying process. YogYES took an opportunity to taste it. It's just delicious!

The price of salak pondoh ranges from 2,500 Rupiah to 3,000 Rupiah when it is in season and increases to 4,000 Rupiah to 5,000 Rupiah when it is rare.

There are many tourism objects in Jogja, but if you choose to make a tour while relaxing with your family, and tasting the sweet salak pondoh in the garden, Turi Agro Tourism will be the right answer to your expectation

Sosrowijayan

Sosrowijayan, a Tourist Kampong in the City Center of Yogyakarta

Walking about 200 meters southwards from Tugu railway station, along Malioboro Street, you will find Sosrowijayan kampong. A plank at the corner of the small street with the same name on it leads you to the area. Connecting Dagen Street and Malioboro Street, Sosrowijayan is split into two areas, namely East Sosrowijayan and West Sosrowijayan. Later, East Sosrowijayan is known as the second famous tourist kampong in Yogyakarta after Prawirotaman.

Arriving at the T-junction of the street named after the past authority of the area (Sosrowijoyo), you will be greeted friendly by pedicab drivers. Usually, they will assist you to get lodgings or take a mini tour along Malioboro Street or to get bakpia (the special snack of this city) at Pathok area by riding their pedicab. Many guides will readily assist you to get lodgings, for example. They will tell you many things about places of interests in Yogyakarta, too.

Entering Sosrowijayan area, you will see an old building functioning as a lodging, namely Aziatic Hotel. The building that was built during the Dutch colonization has typical European architecture. The building has white wall with three doors and some supporting pillars on the front side, while the name of the hotel is directly embossed to the wall in black color. Once, this hotel was used as the shooting location of 'Daun di Atas Bantal (The Leaf on A Pillow)' film that was shown in Cannes Film Festival.

Entering the first alley, there are two bookshops. Most of the works sold there are novels in English; some of them are in Indonesian language. You can freely select or just take a quick reading of the content since they are all unwrapped. Even though most of them are used ones, physical quality of the books is preserved so well that they are worth collecting. The prices vary but they are definitely cheaper than those in bookshops.

If you want to be able to make batik, you can take a course offered by a lodging in the second alley. Close to the lodging, there is a batik studio managed by a local inhabitant. The style of the batik in this studio is painting batik, just like the ones you find in Taman kampong, near Tamansari Water Castle. The superiority of painting batik lies of its colors and temporary design.

As a kampong for tourists, there must be many guesthouses there. Different from the ones in Prawirotaman, the guesthouses and lodgings in this kampong are among local people's houses since most of them are in the alleys of the kampong. If you want to stay in more a private lodging, you can choose one among many hotels alongside Sosrowijayan Street. The tariff of the lodgings in this kampong that is located to the south of Pasar Kembang area is not different from that in Prawirotaman.

In the afternoon, while relaxing after wandering about Yogyakarta, you can enjoy the life of local children. Usually, girls will play rope jump or other traditional children games and boys gather in a certain place to have a chat. Meanwhile, the young people play guitar while singing Indonesian hit songs. They are members of Maliboro Art Community that in certain occasions they perform on stages.

Tour travels are also available in Sosrowijayan. Moneychanger, internet connection, telecommunication booth, motorcycle and car rental are all available for your convenience. When you are hungry, you can just go to dining places opened by local inhabitants. At the end of the first alley, for example, there is a simple dining place yet many foreign tourists come to have meals. Traditional cuisine such as fried noodle, stir-fried vegetables with chili and other delicious dishes are served. Some restaurants serve steak and other menus at affordable prices.

In the evening time, Sosrowijayan gets more vivid. Many young people gather at the street sides while some cafes tune live music as an alternative amusement. In combination with the nightlife of Malioboro Street, Sosrowijayan becomes vivid. A small warong under an orange tent that local people call angkringan is a nice place to have a talk. While chatting, you can enjoy tea, ginger beverage, or the other delicious menus at very cheap prices