Goa Kiskendo

Kiskendo Cave is a natural cave located in the Menoreh mountain, Kulon Progo Regency. The cave lies on 1200 m above sea level, so that the air there is cool and fresh. It is locates about 35 kilometres at northwest side of Yogyakarta, on a hill at the northern side of Kulon Progo Regency,a small fine-asphalt road leads to Kiskendo cave. Only small kinds of four-wheeled vehicles can reach the cave. Those who visit the cave with a bus must leave the vehicle at Niten village, close to Giri Mulyo subdistrict office, about 8 kilometres from the cave.

On the way to the cave, you may enjoy the charming scenery along the windy road. Valleys, green farmland, and simple rural traditional houses reflect the traditional atmosphere in which the people live. Entering the Kiskendo cave, you will be greeted by wonderful stalactites and stalagmites like mostly limestone do have. According to the legend, the natural shape of the cave was once the palace of two giants by the names of Mahesa Suro and Lembu Suro who were defeated by Subali as portrayed in the relief at the front of the cave.Valleys, green farmland, and simple rural traditional houses reflect the traditional atmosphere in which the people live.

HISTORY
Apart from the stalagmites clinging to the roof and mounting from the floor of the cave, it is said that the cave treasures a well known legend about the fight between Mahesasura, Lembusura and Jathasura against Sugriwa and Subali.

This story is depicted by relief made in front of the cave. In connection with above story, inside the Kiskendo cave local people belief the presence of several places as being the remainders of Sekandang Kingdom, among others: Santri Tani and Subali meditation places, Selumbung (royal food storage), Kraton Sekandang (centre of the Kingdom), Selansur (hiding place of royal soldiers during the fight between Subali againt Mahesasura and Lembusura; this place can only be reached by crawling ) and Sumelong (a hole through the roof of the cave the escape of Subali from the cave because Sugriwa has blocked the entrance of the cave).

TIP& TRICKS
Bring a camera just to take every beautiful picture on this place.

( Village Jatimulyo, Girimulya, Kulon Progo Yogyakarta INDONESIA )

Source : gudeg.net

Goa Greweng

This cave is located on the area of Greweng. It is a pleasant and challenging place to visit where stalactites and stalagmites ornament the cave beautifully.

This cave used to be used as a place to meditate, event recently, mystical stories can still be heard here. It also becomes the place for porcupines to live. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the while exploring this cave. Not only porcupines, bats can also be found hanging down in this cave.

As you visit this cave, you will be amazed by the beauty of the crystalized stalactites and stalagmites that seem to be diamonds. Two things you should do are bring the lamps, torches or candles as you enter the cave and do not forget to bring your camera to eternalize the beautiful view here. Do not be shocked if you see the result of the picture then.

( Regions Wediombo, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta INDONESIA )

source: www.wediombo.com

Goa Gajah

Gajah Cave is located at Lemahbang hamlet, Mangunan village, Dlingo, more or less 21 kilometer on the south east of Bantul.

Gajah cave is a karztic cave which is located on the karztic area of Mount Seribu. This is a horizontal cave but its depth is not yet measured, so that it gives a challange to explore more on the depth of the cave. So far visitors can only go as long as 200 meters. The remaining is still a secret.

The name of Gajah cave originates from its typical formation of stones that appears likely an elephant.

( Lemahbang Hamlet, Village Mangunan, District Dlingo, Bantul INDONESIA )

Goa Cerme

Cerme cave is located at Dusun Srunggo, Desa Selopamioro, Kecamatan Imogiri, more or less 15 (fifteen) kilometer to the south east of Bantul.

The total length of the cave 1,2 kilometer and flowed with underground river (current) which is safe for caving. Average of water depth is 1-1,5 meter.

The end of the cave is a pool (sendang) at Panggang, Ploso village, Giritirto, Gunungkidul.

Besides the main cave, there are also another caves used for meditation such as Goa Dalang, Goa Ledhek, Goa Badhut, and Goa Kaum.

To reach the front gate of the cave, you have to climb up a hill through 759 steps. At night, the view of city on the northern side seems beautiful with thousands of sparkling lamps.

( source : http://gudeg.net )

Goa Bentis

This cave is located on the area of Bentis. Its slim front side is ornamented by high valley that makes this cave to be a challenging place to visit. Stalagtits and stalagnits also ornament the cave that perform a beautiful view in this place.

Here, luweng (under surface river) is also flowing. In rainy season, the water in this luweng always increase. This cave is perfect to be explored in dry season.

The unique of stalagnits and stalaktits are those dolors are darker than ordinary stalaktits and stalaknits. Those typical shape are grouping like root. Visit this cave, find the exotic of this place that you will never find on the other places.

( Regions Wediombo, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta Special Region, INDONESIA )

source: www.wediombo.com

Goa Banyusumurup

The cave Banyu Sumurup is located on the area of Bentis. This cave is a large cave that has a large size on its front side, however, the further we go deeper, the narrower the size of the cave.

It has lucid underground river called "luweng". As the cave of Bentis, it can only be visited in the dry season. In wet season, the cave will be filled by the water. Stalactites and stalagmites also ornament the cave that make it more gorgeous Selain itu. Mystic stories also common stories here.

( Regions Wediombo, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta Special Region, INDONESIA )

source: www.wediombo.com

Parangkusumo Beach

Upon entering the gate of Parangkusumo Beach, you will immediately feel the sacred nuance of the beach that is located around 30 kilometers south of Yogyakarta city and it is believed to be the entrance gate to the south ocean. You will soon smell the fragrance of flowers and incense as the materials of an offering; the nuance you will find nowhere but in this beach.

The sacredness of the place feels more distinct when you look at the scattered flowers and sets of offerings on the Love Stone that is located in Puri Cepuri complex where Panembahan Senopati and Queen of the South met and made an agreement. At that time, Senopati was meditating on the bigger stone in the north when Queen of the South approached him and sat on the smaller stone in the south.

The meeting between the two authorities had influence on the relationship between Yogyakarta Kingdom and Bale Sokodhomas Kingdom. It began when Senopati was perfecting his supernatural powers by doing the ritual of tapa ngeli or carrying himself away in the river. Arriving at a certain phase of his meditation, suddenly there was storm on the beach, trees were yanked out by its roots, the seawater was boiling and fish were thrown to the land.

The occurrence compelled the Queen of the South to show up on the surface of the ocean to see Senopati. Senopati expressed his ideal to govern Mataram and asked the Queen of South for her help. The Queen promised him the help with the conditions that Senopati and his descendants would be willing to become her husbands. Senopati took the conditions with the request that the marriage should not bear children.

The agreement made Yogyakarta Kingdom as one of Mataram frictions to have close relationship with the Kingdom of the South Ocean. The proof of such a relationship is the labuhan alit (giving an offering by throwing out certain things to the sea) that is done annually. One part of the labuhan ceremony is planting parts of Sultan's nails, hair and clothes in the area of Puri Cepuri. Please check with Yogyakarta tourism calendar in YogYES.com for this labuhan rite.

The meditation of Senopati that bore useful fruits caused many people to believe that any requests will be answered if they are said by the Love Stone. It is not surprising, therefore, hundreds of people from different classes and religions come to the place on certain days they consider sacred. Going in pilgrimage to the Love Stone is also believed to help someone to release heavy burdens from him and to give new life spirit.

In addition to the Love Stone and the labuhan procession, you can also enjoy the beauty of the beach and the breeze of the seashore on a horse-cart. You only have to pay IDR 20,000 for the pleasant ride.

There are many warongs where you can buy meals and drinks. Quite big numbers of visitors makes this area crowded every day, even until late at night. Some of them even spend the night in this beach to say their prayer. If you want to share the spiritual experience in Parangkusumo Beach, you can join the pilgrims praying.

Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
Photo & Artistic: Agung Sulistiono Mabruron
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