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This
National Park is one of the most beautiful places
of interest in East Java. The beauties of mountain
covered, give a special and characteristic green
plants, arousing great interest. Tenggerese traditional
farming also makes this famous place being more
interesting and attractive. In addition, cool and
breezy wind always blows freshly giving ever visitor
special deep impression a unforgettable memories.
The accessibility has no problem and very reachable
(via Malang, Pasuruan, Probolinggo or Lumajang).
Surely, different access give different characteristics
scenery landscape. The elevation reaches about 2.392
meter sea level above and the temperature varies
from 3 up to 20 degrees centigrade.
Facilities: Star Hotels, home-stays, restaurants,
and many others that visitors needed can be found.
The people who live in this area are supposed to
be descended from Majapahit Kingdom about six hundred
years ago. The belonged to Tenggerese Hinduism with
old traditional. That tradition still survives up
to now. Every year, they always carry out the traditional
and religious ceremonies, and the most popular ones
is Yadnya Kasada, an offering ceremony held at the
edge of the crater on the top of mount Bromo.
The Story of Offering Kasada Ceremony
Hundreds years ago, during the reign of the last
king of Majapahit, Brawijaya, the situation was
so uncertain due to the expanding new religion,
Islam. At the time, the queen gave birth a baby
girl and named her Roro Anteng, later the princess
married Joko Seger, a Brahma Caste.
Since the influences of the new religion was so
strong that it created chaos. The king and his followers
were forced to back off to the east, some of them
reached Bali and some of them reached a volcano.
The new married couple, Roro Anteng and Joko Seger
were also found among the fugitives who went to
the volcano. Later they ruled the volcano area and
named it Tengger. The word Tengger was derived from
Roro Anteng and Joko Seger. Then he surnamed himself
the riffle of Purba Wasesa Mangkurat Ing Tengger
which means the righteous ruler of Tengger.
Years after year as the region flourished in prosperity,
the King and Queen felt unhappy for they had no
children to succeed their throne. On their desperation,
they decided to climb the top of the volcano to
pray and beseech before God, the Almighty. Deeply,
impressed by the faith of their meditation affected
the murmuring sound of the crater lifted up miraculously
followed by a golden lightning that made the surrounding
locked so scintillating. Their prayer were heard
the God and would give them children, but they should
sacrifice their last child as return. It was a promising
future that could not be denied.
Not long after, the first baby boy was born and
Roro Anteng named him Tumenggung Klewung. Child
after child was born during the years and it reached
25 in number to whom she gave the named Kesuma for
the last child.
Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were very happy ever
since, love and affection were imparted among their
children. Happiness lingered on years after years,
but a dull and sad feeling still haunted them for
their promise would be claimed one day. They realized
that they could not run from the fact, a bitter
disappointment of losing a child shot through their
brains. The day came, the God reminded them of their
promise which could not be avoided.
As they felt how cruel it was to sacrifice their
beloved child, they decided to break their promise
by not offering him to the God. They brought away
their children in order to save their last child
from the offering. They tried to find a place to
hide, however, they could not find away.
All of by sudden, the dreadful eruption of the
volcano followed to where they went and miraculously
Kesuma, the last beloved child was swallowed into
the crater. At the same time when Kesuma disappeared
from their sight, turbulent brawl diminished and
strange silence for a while but a sudden voice echoed:
Hi, my beloved brothers and sisters. It was sacrificed
to appear before God Hyang Widi Wasa to save all
of you. And what I expect be in a peace and live
prosperously. Don't forget to set mutual assistance
among you and to worship God constantly to arrange
an offering ceremony annually on 14th of Kasada
(the twelfth month of Tenggerese calendar) by full
moon. For the sake of your God. Hyang Widi Wasa.
Kesuma's Brothers and sisters held the offering
ceremony annually just like what Kesuma advised
and it was held from generation to generation up
to now.