Mount Bromo: The Hungry Volcano

Mount Bromo inwards East Java , Republic of Indonesia , is the youngest of several volcanoes inwards the Tengger massif , as well as is 1 of Java’s most active volcanoes. When it’s erupting , which it currently is , it emits thick , white , sulphurous smoke. When active , visits to Mount Bromo is mostly advised against. Otherwise , the ii ,300-meter peak is a pop tourist finish , famous for its scenic place as well as magnificent sunrise views.

Mount Bromo is located inwards the oculus of a broad area of sandy manifestly called the "Sea of Sand". This barren terrain is also dwelling to or as well as hence xc ,000 Tengger people , a Hindu ethnic minority inwards the predominantly Muslim Indonesian archipelago. Every twelvemonth , irrespective of whether the mount is spewing fume as well as burn downwards , hundreds of Tenggerese from nearby villages move upward the mount inwards lodge brand nutrient offerings which they throw into the alive caldera of the volcano. Aside from fruit , rice , as well as vegetables , livestock such equally goats , chicken as well as fifty-fifty cows are thrown into the volcano. The offerings are made equally business office of a festival called Yadnya Kasada , which lasts nearly a month.

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Photo credit: sara marlowe/Flickr

The Yadnya Kasada festival is organized yesteryear Pura Luhur Poten , a Hindu temple that sits on the "Sea of Sand”. On the 14th twenty-four hours of the festival , the Tenggerese congregate at Pura Luhur Poten to inquire for blessings from Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa as well as the God of Mahameru. Then the crowd proceeds along the crater edges of Mount Bromo as well as throw their offerings into the crater. Despite the danger , some endeavor to climb downwards into the crater to recollect the sacrificed goods , which are believed to select them skillful luck. Others endeavor to grab the offerings using nets.

The Tenggerese people are said to live descendants of the in 1 trial powerful Majapahit kingdom that ruled Republic of Indonesia as well as most of Southeast Asia from the 13th century until 1500 when it roughshod to Islamist invaders. At the autumn of the Majapahit empire , many fled as well as took refuge inwards the Tengger mountains. Among the escapees were the immature lady of King Brawijaya of the Majapahit kingdom , as well as her Brahmin husband.

The regal couplet were , notwithstanding , childless. In their desperation , they climbed to the come about of Mt. Bromo to beseech the mount god , who promised them many children on the status that the youngest kid must live sacrificed inwards the crater of the volcano. To escape the terrible clause , the couplet continued to beget children until the twenty-fifth kid was born at which indicate they decided to fulfill their pledge. According to some versions of the even out , the couplet refused to offering sacrifice causing Mount Bromo to erupt inwards fury as well as the flames consumed their child. In some other version , the couplet willingly sacrificed their child.

The tradition of Yadnya Kasada is said to originate from this legend.

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