Mount Bromo – Tourism, Location, Traditional Ceremony
Mount Bromo is one of the tourist and conservation areas in East Java that is part of the BTS (Bromo – Tengger – Semeru) region. This mountain has tourist attractions due to its landscape. In addition, what makes this mountain attractive is the history of the people surrounding it and the traditional ceremonies that are held every year.
History of Mount Bromo
The history of Mount Bromo cannot be separated from the folklore of the Tengger people and the Majapahit Kingdom. The legend of ancient Mount Bromo begins with the Majapahit Kingdom, which was attacked from various regions, causing its inhabitants to flee and seek a new, safer place to live. They split into two groups, one heading towards the Bromo mountain area and the other towards the island of Bali.
Another history surrounding this mountain is the Tengger tribe through the folklore of “Joko Seger and Rara Anteng.” Joko Seger is the son of a Brahmin, and his name is inspired by his very fit appearance at birth, accompanied by a loud cry. Meanwhile, around the Pananjakan mountain, a very beautiful child, a reincarnation of a goddess, was born without crying, and was named Rara Anteng.
When she grew up, Rara Anteng was proposed to by a powerful, evil sorcerer. Rara Anteng, who was sensitive, was afraid to refuse, so she set a condition that a sea must be created in the middle of the mountain within one night. The sorcerer worked on it using a coconut shell.
As the work was nearing completion, Rara Anteng became anxious and tried to sabotage the sorcerer's efforts. She disrupted him by pounding rice in the middle of the night, causing the sound of the pounding and the pestle to wake the sleeping chickens. The crowing of the chickens began to echo, as if dawn had arrived.
The sorcerer, hearing the crowing of the chickens, saw that the white thread in the east was not visible yet, causing dawn to come prematurely. The sorcerer pondered his fate. Frustrated and emotional, he threw the coconut shell he had used for work, which fell upside down beside Mount Bromo and turned into Mount Batok.
The story continues with Rara Anteng marrying Joko Seger. They then built a settlement and ruled over the Tengger area (named after both of them) known as Purbawasesa Mangkurat Ing Tengger (The Righteous Ruler of Tengger). The name Tengger itself also means Tenggering Budi Luhur (Introduction to High Morality).
The couple, Joko Seger and Rara Anteng, were not blessed with children for a long time, so they meditated at the peak of Mount Bromo. In the midst of their meditation, a mystical voice suddenly said that they would be granted children on the condition that their youngest child must be sacrificed to the crater of Mount Bromo.
The couple agreed to this condition and were blessed with 25 children. However, as parents, their instincts did not allow them to lose their children. The gods became angry and threatened to bring disaster. Then darkness fell, and the crater of Mount Bromo erupted with fire. The youngest child was eventually consumed by the flames and entered the crater.
When the youngest was swallowed by the fire of the crater, a voice and message were heard that they (the Tengger people) must live peacefully and harmoniously by worshiping Hyang Widhi. Moreover, every month of Kasada on the 14th day, they must hold a ceremony of offerings in the form of agricultural products and present them to Hyang Widhi at the crater of Mount Bromo.
This tradition is still held today at Poten Lautan Pasir and the crater of Mount Bromo. Mount Bromo itself is considered a sacred mountain. The Tengger people used to refer to this mountain as Mount Brahma. Then, the Javanese tongue called it Mount Bromo, and it has been its name ever since.
Tourist Attractions of Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo tourism is famous for its stunning mountain scenery. Visitors can enjoy the view of the green hills, complete with savanna grass, or the sea of sand that surrounds it. Visitors can also enjoy the sunrise from the peak of the mountain. Not only that, if you visit Mount Bromo, don't miss out on the cultural tourism as well.
The location of Mount Bromo itself is within four districts, namely Probolinggo Regency, Pasuruan Regency, Lumajang Regency, and Malang Regency. However, tourists from outside the city usually choose the Probolinggo Regency route because the access is easier and closer to Bayu Angga Terminal and Probolinggo Train Station.
There are various attractions at Mount Bromo that visitors can choose from. First, the whispering sands or the sea of sand located near the crater of Mount Bromo. This area is quite vast with a stretch of sand resembling a desert landscape. Visitors can take photos in this area or choose other activities, such as horseback riding or riding a trail bike.
Second, the Bromo crater, which can be reached by walking about 2 km from the parking area, or by horseback riding or riding a trail bike. To reach the top of the crater, visitors just need to climb the stairs. Third, the Teletubbies hill, which presents a series of beautiful green hills that look pristine with neatly arranged grass. Visitors can take photos in this area.
Fourth, the savanna grasslands that are characteristic of all BTS tourist areas, including Baluran as well. The Bromo savanna is located in a green valley surrounded by towering cliffs and several small mountain ridges, precisely to the southeast of Bromo. The savanna grasslands are located in the Jemplang valley, which visitors can find after passing through the sea of sand area.
Fifth, Pura Luhur Poten, which is a place of worship for the Tengger people who practice Hinduism. Usually, the tourist location will be closed to the public during the Nyepi celebration. Sixth, B 29 Argosari, which is one of the favorite camping spots in the Bromo area. It is located at the highest peak and higher than Penanjakan 1. Specifically in the Argosari village area, Senduro sub-district, about 40 km from Lumajang.
Seventh, Penanjakan 1, which is usually used as the best spot to watch the sunrise. To reach this location, it can be accessed by jeep, trail bike, or on foot. Eighth, Penanjakan 2, which is equally beautiful even though its location is not as high as Penanjakan 1. Ninth, Bukit Mentigen, which is one of the best sunrise spots in Bromo.
Tenth, Bukit Kingkong, which is also an alternative location to enjoy the sunrise in Bromo. Eleventh, Bukit Cinta, which is one of the best spots to enjoy the sunrise and the beauty of the valley and hills covered in mist.
Traditional Ceremonies
The Tengger tribe community has a traditional ceremony held every month of Kasada on the 14th day called the Yadya Kasada Festival. This ceremony, as per the history of the Tengger tribe, is an offering ceremony of agricultural products from Tengger to Sang Hyang Widhi. The ceremony is held at Poten Lautan Pasir and the crater of Mount Bromo.
Mount Bromo indeed has various beauties that visitors can enjoy when visiting. In addition to its natural landscape, it also holds historical and cultural values that deserve to be preserved.
