David Junior
As one of the natural destinations in Indonesia, Mount Bromo offers not only beautiful scenery but also a remarkable history. Moreover, Mount Bromo is a place where the Tenggerese people reside.
Mount Bromo is sometimes referred to by the local Tengger people as Brama or Brahma, after the Hindu creator god. As a result, the peak is revered and used for the Yadnya Kasada ceremony.
It is believed that the legend of Mount Bromo is associated with the Majapahit Kingdom, according to Javanese mythology. This article will guide you in exploring the history and myth of Mount Bromo. So, read the article until the end!
The Myth in Mount Bromo
According to Javanese mythology, Mount Bromo is related to the Majapahit Kingdom. A long time ago, there was a son of a wise Brahmana named Joko Seger and a daughter of a noble family called Rara Anteng.
Rara Anteng was a beautiful lady and was believed to be the incarnation of a god in Javanese mythology. Her beauty was known across the nation, making many princes propose to her. Yet, she rejected them all.
However, there was a mighty hermit named Bajak who came to propose to her. Rara Anteng intended to reject him by asking him to make a sea of sand on the mountain at night. Another myth in Mount Bromo mentioned that she asked him to create a lake on Mount Bromo at night.
Bajak was a powerful man who always fulfilled this kind of challenge. This fact annoyed Rara Anteng, so she played dirty. She asked all the women in the village to beat the mortar and burn the hays. This was done to make the sky orange as if the sun was about to rise.
This situation fooled the roosters, making them crow as if it was morning already. The sound of a rooster crowing infuriated Bajak, who felt he had failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him by Rara Anteng's parents.
The coconut shells or other shells that were used to dredge the sand were discarded as a result. The shell toppled and became Mount Batok, which is located west of Pura Luhur Poten.
Actually, Rara Anteng fell in love with Joko Seger, a handsome and powerful man. Both got married and lived in the Mount Bromo Slope.
Unfortunately, despite being a spouse for a long time, both did not have children yet. Regarding this, the locals suggested they meditate on Mount Bromo. After that, God granted their prayer with one requirement: they had to sacrifice their youngest children to Mount Bromo Crater.
They agreed on it and finally got 25 children, with Kusuma as the youngest. Yet, the spouse seemed to neglect the agreement they made with God. Finally, God warned Joko Seger through his dream to bring Kusuma to Bromo Crater or the village would be doomed.
Kusuma followed his parents' instructions. Kusuma was wise and determined enough to keep his word for the village community's safety when his father told him about his dream.
The full moon day in the Tengger Hindu calendar, the 14th of Kasada month, was the day of the sacrifice. Kusuma visited Mount Bromo's crater with his family and the locals. He made a condition when he was ready to jump: the Tenggeres people had to give him the harvest from their farms on the 14th of every Kasada month. The Tenggerese people who live near Mount Bromo have continued to remember the Kasada ceremony ever since.
Rituals and Traditions in Mount Bromo
Now that you understand the myth in Mount Bromo, let’s delve into the rituals and traditions on this mountain.
To date, on the fourteenth day of the event, the community gathers for the Yadnya Kasada ceremony, which takes place at a temple at the foot of the mountain. The Yadnya Kasada ceremony is a traditional ritual held as a form of gratitude to the Almighty.
The Tenggerese people will toss animals and crops into Mount Bromo's crater as a sacrifice to Sang Hyang Widhi and their ancestors during this event. Following that, the offerings made with this inscription are lowered into Mount Bromo's crater.
The Tengger people believe they may keep their ancestors, God, and the environment in harmony by giving offerings including cattle and crops. The universe will be blessed as a result.
The Yadnya Kasada ceremony consists of several processions, including taking holy water, opening the Kasada holiday, and the Kasada ritual ceremony at Poten.
Those are the information about the myth in Mount Bromo and the rituals during Yadnya Kasada. This ceremony is very sacred to the Tenggerese people, so you must obey the regulations when you visit this mountain during the Kasada ceremony period.
Aside from that, make sure that your trip to Mount Bromo is well-planned. Regarding this, you can rely on Cheap Bromo! Book your trip with us now!
