Mysteries of Mount Bromo

Mysteries of Mount Bromo

By Balqist Hamada

If you hear the words Mount Bromo, I am pretty sure that you will imagine about a wonderful ​​sand sea and the best spot to see sunrise. Unlike other mountains that have steep tracks that is hard to climb, the peak of Mount Bromo is very easy to reach because it has stairs to make tourists reach the top of the crater easily.

However, who knows that this exotic mountain holds many mysteries? Believe it or not, but many of these mysteries are attested. Feeling curious? Here are some of the mysteries of Mount Bromo.

1.      Magical roots

The mystery of the existence of the magical roots in the area of ​​Mount Bromo is very popular among the society in East Java. According to the people who can see this invisible root, this magical root passes right in the middle of a sea of ​​sand. Reputedly, this supernatural root is a thing that guards Mount Bromo.

Figure: Sand sea of Bromo

People who live around Mount Bromo believe that if there are any tourists who have bad intentions, do bad things, or talk carelessly when entering the area can get lost in the sea of ​​sand. As we know, in natural tourism such Mount Bromo there are spirits that keep the mountain. They will feel annoyed if the tourists do something unpleasant.

If it is really happen, the solution is that the tourists have to flip their clothes and wear it again. Thus, they can return to the real world, human world. Therefore, the author suggest you not to do something unpleasant there to avoid something bad happen to you.

2.    Gods inheritance

According to the story that circulate in the local community, in this exotic mountain area were buried many heirlooms belonging to Majapahit Kingdom, one of Indonesian kingdom which has exist in the past. However, some of people believe taht those stuff is a relic of the gods, who were partners of Majapahit King, so that, people who set foot on Bromo need to maintain their attitude and respect Bromo guard. People there claim that those heirlooms will be a powerful person. however, not every person can easily take the relics. he must go through series of rituals first.

3.      Quicksand

Besides having a sea of ​​sand, Mount Bromo also has a vast and beautiful savanna. Yet, you have to be careful when walking there. The author suggests you to invite people who know this location, if you do not know the area well. The reason is that there is one point in the savanna where there is quicksand.

Figure: Savanna in Bromo

Yapp, like in Amazon, quicksand is sand that is categorized as a dangerous thing because it has an ability to suck everything on it, including humans. Likewise in the area of ​​Mount Bromo, for anyone who sets foot in the quicksand, he will be sucked into underground and will not return to the surface. So scary!

4.      A Giant Palace

Then, there is also a mystical story about the construction of a giant palace. This story is believed by Tengger tribe for a long time. They believe, if there is an eruption on Mount Bromo, then Ki Bromo is building a palace. The palace is very majestic and also high. It is trusted that it has 18 floors.

Ki Bromo, who is trusted by the local community as a figure who built a palace in Bromo, is a ruler or a leader in the supernatural realm in Mount Bromo area. He and his genie troops build a giant palace for other supernatural creatures.

It might sounds nonsense for you, indeed. However, Tengger tribes believe that this one is a wangsit for them to give Ki Bromo sesajen, tiny things that Hindu people offers to their gods. Sesajen that usually given there are crops yield, not human.

Here, eruptions that usually seem frightening and dangerous, are considered by the Tengger tribe as a blessing. The reason is that the eruption of Mount Bromo is believed to be able to maintain soil fertility on the residents' agricultural land.

Yet, there are other sources saying, that giving sesajen is actually a community effort to stop Ki Bromo in building the palace. For example, in 2015 the activity of Mount Bromo increased significantly. At that time, people were flocking to offer sesajen, so that the activity of Mount Bromo would not endanger the local community.

I do not know which one is right. The thing that I know is that they always offer sesajen when Mount Bromo erupted. That’s all.

5.      Widodaren Springs

Just a few people know that there is a clear spring in the area of ​​Mount Bromo. This spring is located in widodaren cave. The location of Widodaren cave is not far from the crater of Mount Bromo. You only need about 45 minutes-walk from sand sea to reach this place.

Figure: Widodaren Cave

Widodaren Cave is one of the places considered sacred by the Tengger people. They use the cave to worship their god, Hyang Widi. Then, the spring that came out from the cave was also considered sacred because it flows directly from the Widodaren cave.

                                                       

Figure: Widodaren spring

Tengger people believe that this spring will never dry all the time. The local community also claims that the water that comes out from the spring of the Widodaren cave can make abundant crops and make them ageless. Moreover, the water can also make a person who is single can meet his or her mate forthwith. Then, because it is considered sacred, the water is also used during the Kasada ceremony held annually at Bromo.

Those are some popular mystery stories that exist on Mount Bromo. Even though it is difficult to be accepted by your common sense and even a superstition, but still, such regulations are still run if it is good for us.

Therefore, if you really want to visit Mount Bromo, then you should obey all existing regulations, and it is better to have good intentions before entering this mount. Good intentions and goals, of course end or good end.