Inspiration

Get to Know Madakaripura Waterfall History and Myths

03 September 2024
Blog Author David Junior

Mount Bromo has become one of the tourist spots in East Java serving mesmerizing sunrises and fascinating mountain expanse. 

However, when you visit Mount Bromo, do not forget to visit Madakaripura Waterfall too. Located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, this waterfall is beautiful and has a great history. 

It is believed that Madakaripura Waterfall was a place where Gajah Mada meditated during the Majapahit Kingdom era. 

Then, how is the Madakaripura Waterfall history? This article is going to reveal the history of Madakaripura Waterfall in detail. So, check this article out!

The Madakaripura Waterfall History

Not only gives fresh scenery, but Madakaripura Waterfall also has a mysterious history and is still related to the Majapahit Kingdom history, Madakaripura’s name came from 3 words: “Mada” from Gajah Mada’s name, “Kari” which means heritage, and “Pura” which is a place of worship for Hinduism. 

According to the locals, at that time, Gajah Mada spent his life meditating in this waterfall until the end of his life. It is believed that Gajah Mada started meditating there after being discharged from his position as commander-in-chief. 

The discharge was because he committed a massacre in the Sundanese Kingdom namely Galuh Kingdom. He later contemplated Madakaripura Waterfall for the rest of his life. 

This legend was also supported by the existence of the Gajah Mada statue there. However, there is another version of history spread among the locals. 

A long time ago, the Majapahit Kingdom gave a village “Sukapura” as its name for devoting their life to the kingdom. 

Therefore, Madakaripura Waterfall became the last meditation place for Gajah Mada during the Majapahit era. 

More details about this waterfall, Madakaripura was a parcel of land that Majapahit King Hayam Wuruk gave to Commander Gajah Mada, according to the ancient Javanese epic poem Negarakertagama, written in the fourteenth century. 

The most renowned military leader in the records of the magnificent Javanese Majapahit Kingdom, which flourished from 1293 to 1500 AD, was Gajah Mada. His leadership was acknowledged as the primary agent responsible for uniting the Indonesian Archipelago under the vast Majapahit kingdom at the time.

It is believed that the Madakaripura Waterfall cave, where Gajah Mada regularly went to meditate, was the source of his extraordinary strength and talents. Before he was thought to do "Muksha," or go away spiritually and physically from the face of the earth, rather than just dying physically, the great commander finally picked this location as his final spot for mediation.

Despite being a sacred place, Madakaripura Waterfall must still be on your traveling list. 

Myths You Can Hear in Madakaripura Waterfall

Besides Madakaripura Waterfall's history, this fall is also famous for myths and legends spread among the locals and visitors.

There is a myth that when you come to this fall with bad intentions, you will get bad luck in return. Instead, when you come with good intentions, you will get a clean heart. 

Next, the visitors must end the trip before 2 pm or they will be flooded with sudden rain, which is dangerous for them since the water will overflow. 

Another myth that exists in this fall is that bathing in this waterfall can make you appear younger. Again, those are myths and legends wandering in the fall, which you can choose to believe or not. 

What’s on Madakaripura Waterfall?

After reading the Madakaripura Waterfall history, you might be wondering, what fun activities you can do in this waterfall.

Not only its history, you can enjoy the natural scenery. Having a height of 200 meters, this waterfall is the highest fall in East Java and one of the highest in Indonesia. 

The circle-shaped cliff makes you feel like you are inside a giant cup, with water coming from all sides. Therefore, it is important for you to wear a raincoat to avoid getting wet during the trip. 

You can also swim in the 7-meter-ish pool under the fall with fresh blue water. Yet, for your safety, please hold the wooden handle installed in the pool while swimming. 

This waterfall is also equipped with many facilities, such as restrooms, parking lots, praying rooms, and culinary spots. Hence, you do not need to worry. 

How to Get to Madakaripura Waterfall?

Knowing the route to Madakaripura Waterfall is also as important as knowing the Madakaripura Waterfall history. This waterfall is located in Branggah, Probolinggo, specifically inside the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. 

Thus, you can visit this waterfall straight from Mount Bromo if you have a trip there. Moreover, you go from Surabaya through Sidoarjo, Porong, Pasuruan, and Probolinggo. To get to Madakaripura Waterfall, you must walk along the forest, cliff, and rivers. 

For your safety, please wear antislip shoes or slippers since the track will be more slippery during the rainy seasons. 

Those are the information about the Madakaripura Waterfall history and the route. As mentioned before, you can come to the waterfall immediately from Mount Bromo. Moreover, the trip to Madakaripura Waterfall can be easier with Cheap Bromo

In their Bromo Sunrise package, you can get picked up from the desired stations, ports, airports, and hotels in Surabaya or Malang. Then, you can enjoy both Mount Bromo’s sunrise and Madakaripura Waterfall without any worry. 

What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Mount Bromo and Madakaripura Waterfall with Cheap Bromo now!