GREBEG

Grebeg is a ceremony to guard the important person like the King or Princess-Sri Sultan from Yogyakarta and Sri Sunan from Surakarta (Solo) go to Sitinggil and guarded with each warrior to give a certain adoration to the King of the King.

 Grebeg is hold 3 times in a year in Yogyakarta and Surakarta (solo) palace

Gerebeg Mulud Ceremony 

      Gerebeg Maulud is the climax of Sekaten. Held yearly on the 12th day of the 3rd month  of the Javanese calendar.

      The history of Grebeg Sekaten come from Wali Songo (sunan) especially Sunan Kali Jogo. It is one way to introduce Islam Religion to Indonesian people. In ancient time culture and art is very important. So Wali sogo made Grebeg Sekaten to showed to the people if just one God in this world. Allah SWT.

  Gerebeg Besar
Held yearly at the Sultan’s Palace on the 10th day of the last month of the Javanese calendar (Besar) to commenorate Abraham’s test of faith when challenged to sacrifice his one and only son 

Gerebeg Syawal Ceremon

      Held yearly on the 1st day of the 10th month of the Javanese calendar (Syawal) at the end of Ramadhan, (see schedule) the Muslim holy month of fasting

 

 At that time, The Palace usually make a Gunungan. Gunungan is composed of a series of vegetables, fruits and snacks are arranged in such a way or a cone-shaped mountain.

Gunungan is a King charity to his people. Therefore, people are always scrambling to get a part of the mountains which is believed to have good luck.

SEKATEN CEREMONY

Yogyakarta, there were ceremonies called Sekaten or better known as Pasar Malam Perayaan Sekaten because before the ceremony was held the night market activity in advance for one full month.

 

Sekaten or ceremony Sekaten (derived from the word Syahadatein) is the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad held on the 5th of each month Mulud Java (early Rabi 'al-Hijra) in the square of Yogyakarta (and also in the square at the same Surakarta). This ceremony was once used by the Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, founder of the palace of Yogyakarta to invite the public to follow and embrace Islam.

On the first day, the ceremony begins at night with courtiers (yogyakarta palace trust people) together with two sets of Javanese Gamelan: Kyai Kyai Nogowilogo and Gunturmadu. 

 

This procession starts from the hall of the Great Mosque Ponconiti towards the north of the square, escorted by soldiers of the Palace. Kyai Nogowilogo will occupy the north side of the Grand Mosque, while Kyai Gunturmadu Pagongan will be in the south of the mosque. Both sets of gamelan to be played simultaneously until the date 11 months Mulud for 7 consecutive days. On the last night, the gamelan will be brought back into the Kingdom.

MOUNT MERBABU

Local people said that Mt. Merbaboe and Mt. Merapi were wife and husband. Merbaboe stand for “Meroe” and “baboe” these words mean woman mountain (merapi wife’s). Mt. Merbabu have many peaks, the highest ones is Kenteng Songo 3.142 masl (meter above sea level).

There are some trails, which can lead to the summit of the mountain. The most popular track is Kopeng Village from the north and Selo Village from the south.

From Semarang we can ride bus to Solo, but we must stop in Salatiga a small town between Semarang and Solo. We can continue with mini bus from Pasar Sapi to Kopeng. 

Kopeng is good place to relax, there are many hotels and inns, camping side and Umbul Songo waterfalls. Songo (nine) is a big number, local people in merbaboe describe the high of the waterfall and give the name of the waterfall Umbul Songo. Umbul means spring, and umbul songo is a spring from the high. Kenteng Songo is the name of the highest peak, and this means there are many stones (kenteng).

We can stay in a small hotel in Kopeng, to get rest before we climb the mountain. It is better to climb in the night, because climbing in the daylight is very hot. Moreover we must save the water to drink and cook. The water must be carried from the last village Thekelan or Cunthel. There is no water spring in the mountain.

The best basecamp to start hiking Mount Merbaboe is Cunthel 2,5 Km from Kopeng. You can ride Ojek (Motor Cycle) or rent a mini truck usually to carry the vegetables to the Cunthel Village.

The best time to climb mount Merbabu is at the night during dry seasons. Most of the trail are sandy grasslands and open area, so in the daylight it is very hot and dusty, more over we need much more drinking water. 

Between 15th Javaness Calendar, in the full Moon light, we can see some very nice views of some mountains surrounding mount merbabu, a long the night.

Yogyakarta Tourist Maps

SUNDAK BEACH-YOGYAKARTA

Sundak Beach, Asu and Urchin Fight which Reaping Blessing.

Sundak Beach not only has a fascinating natural scenery, but also keeps the story. Name 
Sundak turns to experience evolution evidences can be traced geologically.

In order to know its evolution, visitors must know first edge condition Sundak beach then and now. On the western edge of the beach when they visit the mosque and there is empty space that is now used as a parking lot. While in the east there are caves that are formed from coral rock approximately 12 feet altitude. Entering the cave, will be found natural wells where people get fresh water.

Region described above before the year 1930 remained under sea. It is said that water to a region that is now built mosque, which form the rock caves were still under water. As the geological processes on the southern coast, the sea surface to shrink and the water is indented into the sea. The coral reef and the area around the mosque became the new land which people used the beach for economic activity to date.

There is a unique natural phenomenon of the activity that eventually became the starting point of naming this beach. If the rainy season arrives, many of the inland water flowing toward the ocean. As a result, the plain on the east coast divide to form a shape like a river. Water that flows like mbedah (splitting) of sand. When drought comes, parts of it disappear and come along with sea water carrying sand. Natural phenomenon is what causes the name of the beach into Wedibedah (sand split).

The name change took place some decades later. Around the year 1976, there is an interesting event. One afternoon, a dog was running around in coastal areas and entered the cave coral met a sea urchin. Because the hungry, the dog tried to eat the sea urchin escape but the sea urchin. There was a fight that ultimately won the dog managed to eat half of the body with sea urchin and out of the cave with pride. The act known to the owner of the dog, named Arjasangku, saw half of the sea urchin's body in a dog's mouth. Checking into the cave, it turns out the owner found the body of sea urchin and a half remaining. Well, since then, the name changed to Sundak Wedibedah, abbreviation of asu (dog) and porcupine.

No warning, the fight was a blessing for locals. After decades of water shortages, residents finally found a spring. Initially, the wonder dog owner that his dog out of the cave with dripping wet. The hypothesis, in the cave there is water and the dog had drowned while chasing porcupines. After some investigations, the prediction turned true. Be present, the water in a cave used for the purpose of life. From inside the cave, now installed pipes for connecting with people. The findings of this spring treat disappointment because of the well established residents were inundated by sea water.

Well, if conditions in 1930 just as was said above, can be estimated conditions for hundreds of years earlier. Of course very many organisms that utilize the bottom of the reef which is now a cave and the area that is now the mainland. Therefore, many archeologists believe that as a consequence of geological processes that exist, many marine organisms are left behind and piled up as fossils. What fossils are found, indeed up to now has not been much research reveals.

Besides offering a silent witness of history, Sundak also offers an enjoyable evening. You can enjoy the evening breeze while ordering raw fish to be grilled with friends. By paying a few thousand, you can buy wood for fuel. If lazy, just order a mature, so be ready to eat. What is clear, do not be confused to find a place to stay. Visitors can sleep anywhere, set up a tent, or just lying on the bench tonight stall if unused.

SAPARAN BEKAKAK

Saparan Bekakak is a Traditional ceremony held by people of Gamping, Sleman. This ceremony have been practiced since the era of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I and held as a pray to God, to get freedom from disaster and illnes by slaughtering a couple of Bekakak (Bride Doll) which is made of sticky rice and javanese sugar.

slaughtering bride doll

This tradition is as old as the Yogyakarta Hadiningrat Royal Palace and it started with the story of a married couple who died in Mount Gamping.

Saparan Bekakak is usually performed in Ambar Ketawang Subdistrict, Gamping District, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. The slaughtering ceremony of Bekakak couple is held in Mount Gamping, approximately kilometers from the Ambar Ketawang village square.

MBAH MARIDJAN

Mas Penewu Surakso Hargo, better known as Mbah Maridjan ("Grandfather Maridjan") (5 February 1927– 26 October 2010) was the spiritual guardian or "gatekeeper" of the Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi. His birthplace was in the mountainside hamlet (Indonesian language-dukuh) of Kinahrejo, Umbulharjo Village, Cangkringan District, of the Sleman , on the island of Java in Indonesia

Mbah Maridjan

He was killed at the age of 83 by a pyroclastic flow that destroyed his home in the village of Kinahrejo during the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi

Maridjan was the son of the previous guardian, Mbah Hargo. He was appointed to the palace staff of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, in 1970 and was given the title of Raden Ngabehi Surokso Hargo. He replaced his father as guardian in 1982.

   

The spiritual guardian of the mountain is believed by local people to have the power to speak to the spirits of Mount Merapi, which the Javanese consider to be a sacred mountain. Maridjan led ceremonies to appease the spirits of the volcano by presenting them with offerings of rice and flowers in and around the crater. One of his most important duties was the performance of the annual Labuhan sacrificial ceremony dedicated to the spirits of Mount Merapi. A procession from the royal palace on Yogjakarta led by the guardian sacrifices to the volcano spirits a set of ritual offerings including textiles, perfume, incense, money and, every eight years, a horse saddle. He described his job, for which he was paid $1 a month, as being "to stop lava from flowing down. Let the volcano breathe, but not cough.

Mbah Maridjan, led the Labuan ceremony on the slopes of Merapi

Maridjan was known for his dedication and loyalty to the king and became an Indonesian icon. He lived only about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the peak in his home village of Kinahrejo. Many villagers believed that he would be warned in a vision if an eruption was imminent. In May 2006, he refused to leave his village despite a mandatory evacuation order after scientists warned of an imminent eruption. He went with fifty other men to the village mosque when the volcano began to erupt. Following his example, a hundred other families also refused to evacuate. He was badly burned in a subsequent blast and spent five months in hospital after being rescued from his collapsed house. He became a popular hero because of his refusal to leave his village and his insistence that it was his duty to discharge his responsibility for the welfare of the people. He said that "the people of Kinahrejo feel that it was their destiny to be born to be a fortress to protect the welfare of the kraton (royal palace) and the people of Mataram (central Java)." During an interview in 2006, he said, "Everybody has their duty. Reporter, soldier, police, they have their duty. I also have a duty to stand here".

MERAPI ROUTE (KALIADEM ROUTE)

Another popular path to reach the Merapi peak is through Kaliurang, Pakem District, Sleman District, Yogyakarta on the southern side.

Mount Merapi | Kali Adem

route

 

Jogja -  Kinahrejo Village, Kaliadem/Bebeng

Kinahrejo Village - Post Bayangan : 15 Minute

Post Bayangan - Pos I : 45 Minute

Post I - Post II ( Labuhan dalem ) : 30 Minute

Labuhan dalem is a place to held Labuhan Merapi on the anniversary of the sultan of  Yogyakarta's coronation.

Labuhan Dalem

The ritual is a tribute to Prince Sapujagat, ruler of Mount Merapi. The procession starts from the hamlet of Kinahrejo at 6:30 am, at Mbah Marijan’s home, and traveled up and misty approximately two hours towards Bangsal Sri Maganti (vegetation boundery) the location of labuhan procession.

Post II - Pos III : 1 hours

Pot III - Pos IV : 45 Minute

Post IV - Kendit : 15 Minute

Kendit - Creater : 1.5 - 2 hours

Kendit is the limit of vegetation.

Note

South Line is very difficult and dangerous, necessary equipment to climb to get to the top. More distinguished track blank, no official channels so it should find your own.

MERAPI ROUTE (SELO ROUTE)

Merapi is ones of the most interesting volcanoes in the world offering volcanic environment uniqueness phenomenon, From very active craters to lava flow.  

The elevation of the volcano is 2.920 maters above the sea level. From distance, its always seen white smoke emerging from the peak of the volcano amidst the moving cloud in the deep blue sky. The crater on peak zone is sandy plateau about four hectares with several smaller crater which are still active. The safest and shortest route way to reach the peak is via northern slope at village of Selo. This route is recommended because save and comfortable enough to reach the peak and as traditional route for the most mountain climber.

Village of Selo

To reach the village of Selo, you can take the bus or train from your area to Jogja or Solo.
You who live in Jakarta can take a train from the Senen station. There is train called “Progo” rates to 35.000 rupiah to the station Lempuyangan, Jogja. or “Senja Utama” rates to 150.000 rupiah. Or if you choose to use the bus, you can take the Solo destination bus with rates to 75.000-120.000 rupiah. Get off at the  Boyolali bus terminal, then take the mini bus in front of the bus terminal, with rates around 3000 rupiah (in 2009) until CEPOGO market. From CEPOGO market continued with a mini bus to the village of Selo with the same rates. 

If you go to the village of Selo from Yogyakarta, you can take a bus headed to Magelang, down in the  Village of Blabak, and followed up minibuses or another goods vehicles destination Selo. It should be noted, at 17.00 pm the vehicle rarely operate. Selo actually easier to achieve from Solo-Boyolali, because of Boyolali, there is direct transport to the Selo.

Village of Selo(1560 m.dpl) is currently the main gate of ascent. Selo village located at the saddle of the Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu. This village has a beautiful natural scenery because of its strategic location. The villagers are mostly farmed vegetables and tobacco.

settlements around the slopes of Merapi

Vertically the body of Merapi can be divided into 3 zone:
1)Conical Peak Zone: This zone is the steepest one, range around 2600 to the peak. The peak consist of volcanic material, included:
a)Young volcanic rock with sulfur gas smoke blowing through narrow crack of the rock.
b)Lava sedimentation on middle of the peak.This lava created by eruption in 1940.
c) Main crater directing to the west.This crater created by eruption in 1961.

2)Midle Slope: This zone is steeper than foot slope, range around 2000 to 2600 m alt. No cultivated vegetation along this zone. And only adapted vegetation can grow naturally.

3)Foot Slope: This zone dominated by cultivated vegetation, such us: grass, vegetable and lowland forest. The zone range from 1600 to 2000 m alt.

The last post before Puncak Garuda/Garuda Peak is Pasar Bubrah. Garuda Peak is the name of Volcano Merapi's highest peak at elevation 2968 m alt. People believe that this post is a ghost market. Here we can see many rocks/stones which their positions have made them like foodstalls of traditional market in Java island.

Last part - Pasar Bubrah to Peak

Start trekking up at midnight and reaching the peak in early morning, a better weather as well as amazing sunrise are experienced well on Garuda Peak .

Sun rise on the Garuda Peak

Normally,it's took 4 hours trekking to reach the peak in early morning

MOUNT MERAPI

Mount Merapi, Gunung Merapi is an active stratovolcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It is located approximately 28 kilometres (17 mi) north of Yogyakarta city, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level. The name Merapi could be loosely translated as 'Mountain of Fire'. The etymology of the name came from Meru-Api; from the Javanese combined words; Meru means "mountain" refer to mythical mountain of Gods in Hinduism, and api means "fire". 

Merapi  Pyroclastic flows

Merapi is the youngest in a group of volcanoes in southern Java. It is situated at a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian Plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian Plate. It is one of at least 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, part of the volcano is located in the Southeastern part of the Pacific Ring of Fire–a section of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and South East Asia. Stratigraphic analysis reveals that eruptions in the Merapi area began about 400,000 years ago, and from then until about 10,000 years ago, eruptions were typically effusive, and the out flowing lava emitted was basaltic. Since then, eruptions have become more explosive, with viscous andesitic lavas often generating lava domes. Dome collapse has often generated pyroclastic flows, and larger explosions, which have resulted in eruption columns, have also generated pyroclastic flows through column collapse. Typically, small eruptions occur every two to three years, and larger ones every 10–15 years or so. Notable eruptions, often causing many deaths, have occurred in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930—when thirteen villages were destroyed and 1400 people killed by pyroclastic flows. A very large eruption in 1006 is claimed to have covered all of central Java with ash. The volcanic devastation is claimed to have led to the collapse of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram; however, there is insufficient evidence from that era for this to be substantiated.

To keep the volcano quiet and to appease the spirits of the mountain, the Javanese regularly bring offerings on the anniversary of the sultan of  Yogyakarta's coronation.

  

For Yogyakarta Sultanate, Merapi holds significant cosmological symbolism, because it is forming a sacred north-south axis line between Merapi peak and Southern Ocean (Indian Ocean). The sacred axis is signified by Merapi peak in the north, the Tugu monument near Yogyakarta main train station, the axis runs along Malioboro street to Northern Alun-alun (square) across Keraton Yogyakarta (sultan palace), Southern Alun-alun, all the way to Bantul and finally reach Samas and Parangkusumo beach on the estuary of Opak river and Southern Ocean.

sacred axis

This sacred axis connected the hyangs or spirits of mountain revered since ancient times—often identified as "Mbah Petruk" by Javanese people—The Sultan of Yogyakarta as the leader of the Javanese kingdom, and Nyi Roro Kidul as the queen of the Southern Ocean, the female ocean

deity revered by Javanese people and also mythical consort of Javanese kings.

Petruk-shaped cloud during the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi

In 2004 an area of 6,410 hectares around Mount Merapi was established as a national park. Management objective is the protection of water sources, streams and buffers living systems district-town of Sleman, Yogyakarta, Klaten, Boyolali, and Magelang. In the meantime, before the formation hall park managers, TN G Merapi is under the management of Balai KSDA (Natural Resources Conservation) Yogyakarta.

Merapi is a natural ecosystem of tropical forests are affected mountainous volcanic activity. Some of them are endemic species saninten (Castanopsis argentea), Vanda tricolor, and the Javan hawk-eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi). This national park is also a place to live leopard (Panthera pardus).

leopard

Mount Merapi at the top is never overgrown with vegetation due to high activity. Plant species at the top of the typical mountain-type alpina Java, such as Rhododendron and edeweis Java. Somewhat to the bottom of the bamboo forests and mountains of tropical plants. Slopes of Merapi, especially below 1,000 m, is home to two national superior cultivars of salak, which is barked 'Pondoh' and 'Nglumut'.

Salak tree

LABUHAN ALIT MERAPI

Mount Merapi is not only a mountain, but also a sacred symbol in Jogjakarta mystic. It connected with Islam Mataram on Java. As part of the natural balance, Mount Merapi is located in the balance sheet with Parangtritis Beach in the south of Yogyakarta. In the middle of a SacredMountain of the linear and the sea, there are Kraton Yogyakarta as an axis, and the heart of Jogjakarta.

Prevent the balance of nature, Merapi Mountain has a cleansing ritual to keep the Javanese, their sacred respect. It was named Labuhan, threw a basket of fruit and live stock on the second stop of Mount Merapi. Drag the locals steep hill and take the basket on the mount.

The Labuhan Merapi Ceremony is held one day after the Commemoration of the Sultan's coronation. The Labuhan Ceremony is held on the 30th of Javanese month. On the same day, Labuhan Parangkusumo, threw the holy gifts to the sea.

The ritual is a tribute to Prince Sapujagat, ruler of Mount Merapi. The procession starts from the hamlet of Kinahrejo at 6:30 am, at Mbah Marijan's home, and traveled up and misty approximately two hours towards Bangsal Sri Maganti (vegetation boundery) the location of labuhan procession.

Mbah Marijan is the caretaker and messenger King of Jogjakarta to deliver the holy gift to the ruler of Mount Merapi. Labuhan was attended not only by the local people, but also the people from outside the area, hoping to get a blessing from the Creator.