The Beauty of Mount Bromo Crater

Mount Bromo is one of the tourist and conservation areas in East Java that is part of the BTS (Bromo – Tengger – Semeru) area. This mountain has tourist attractions due to its landscape, the history of the people surrounding it, and the traditional ceremonies that are held annually at the Bromo crater.

Legend Story

The legend of the Bromo Crater cannot be separated from the folklore of the Tengger people and the Majapahit Kingdom. It begins with the folk tale of “Joko Seger and Rara Anteng.” Joko Seger is the son of a Brahmin, and his name is inspired by his physical condition at birth, which was very healthy with a loud cry. Meanwhile, around Mount Pananjakan, a very beautiful child, a reincarnation of a goddess, was born without crying, so she was named Rara Anteng.

Joko Seger and Rara Anteng then got married, built a settlement, and ruled the Tengger area (which was taken from their last names). The name Tengger itself also means Tenggering Budi Luhur (Introduction to High Morality). However, the couple was long without offspring, so they meditated at the top of Bromo. In the midst of their meditation, suddenly there was a mystical voice saying that they would be granted offspring on the condition that their youngest child must be sacrificed to the Bromo crater.

The couple agreed to this condition and were blessed with 25 children. Their parental instincts made them reluctant to lose their children. The deity became angry and threatened to bring disaster. Then darkness fell, and the Bromo crater erupted with fire. The youngest child eventually disappeared, engulfed by the flames and entered the crater.

When the youngest was swallowed by the fire of the Bromo crater, a voice and message were heard that they (the Tengger community) must live peacefully and harmoniously by worshiping Hyang Widhi. Moreover, every month of Kasada on the 14th day, they must hold a ritual offering of agricultural products and present it to Hyang Widhi at the Bromo crater.

This tradition is still held today at the Bromo crater. 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 Bromo, and it has been its nickname ever since.

Depth

According to legend, the Bromo Crater was formed from the eruption of Mount Tengger. This crater has a diameter of about 800 meters stretching from north to south, and 600 meters when measured from east to west. This crater has a danger zone in the form of a circle with a radius of 4 km measured from the center of the crater.

Location 

The Bromo Crater is located at one of the peaks of Bromo with an altitude of 2,392 meters above sea level. To reach the crater location, visitors must cross the sea of Bromo sand and climb hundreds of steps. 

The Beauty of Mount Bromo Crater

The Bromo Crater offers natural beauty as far as the eye can see with a landscape typical of volcanic material. Before reaching the crater area, visitors will be treated to a stretch of sandy sea. This crater is used as a place for the traditional ceremonies of the Tengger Tribe, held every month of Kasada on the 14th day, also known as the Yadya Kasada Festival. This traditional ceremony, as per the history of the Tengger Tribe, is an offering ritual of Tengger agricultural products to Sang Hyang Widhi. 

Mount Bromo has various beauties that can be enjoyed when visiting. In addition to its landscape, it also holds historical and cultural values that should be preserved. There are still many interesting places that visitors should explore when in Bromo besides the Bromo crater.