Gedong Songo (Nine Temple)

It's another Hindu temple in indonesia. Located about 55 km or one and a half our drive from Semarang, Central Java capital city, in Sumowono subdistrict. Unlike Prambanan Temple with its huge and magnificient look, this temple offer simplicity and scattered in a mountainside of Ungaran Mountain. Because of its 1300 altitude, the place offer picturesque panorama in the most green and hilly region in Java. The soil there is one of the most fertile in the region, no doubt you will see the farmer gardening their flower, tropical fruit and vegetable along the way you get there. Climatically, its too cold  for Indonesian, but not for who live in four season region (Europe, Northern America, Russia dll) daily mean temperature is 19*C. Sometime the mist completely blanketing the area makes us difficult to see the panorama.

Third temple

 To go inside, you need ticket which cost Rp 50000 (US$ 4-6). The site will be crowded in holiday season,  but it still be crowd in another day because the place is uses as a campground for Scoutsboy from schools extracurricular.

Nyadran "THANKSGIVING of Javanese"

For Javanese, it's a believe to give back blessing from the God and Nature. By this way, their blessings can be continued, and make a harmonious life with nature. Javanese society also believe that by doing this they're celebrate their successfull of their work in the field since most of them make their living from agricultural sector. In this ritual, the bring many kind of dishes (traditional food) made by their crop. Such as rice, corn, spinach, baked coconut, vegetables and added with meat, mostly chicken.

People come to Nyadran site in Solo

The ritual process vary from place to place, since this event celebrated in wide area across java (Banten to Madura). But, their goal is seemeingly the same. Some occasion dedicated this event to prevent or heal their areas by the dark spirit or disaster which they believe it caused by the devil.

Kenthongan is term to call the process which one hit the Drum like property made from wood with a long stick to call the people to come to Nyadran. They bring their prepared food from home to the place which already set, mostly village cemetery or in front of Balai Desa (Village Hall).



Nyadran held many time in years, mostly in Besar, Syawal, and Mulud (Javanese Month). The process begin with the leader lead the prayer, followed by eating the food they bring. Because the majority is Muslim, they pray with speak Al' Quran verses. I often see people share their food with other, and make some talk before the events end and go home. Its a javanese originated culture, and full of mythical aura and scene.