Mountain Climbing
by RoyJava
Along the Southern shore of East-Java you could climb some mountains. Donot think it is heavy stuff. Most of the mountains (where able to climb!) is a far easier climb than in Center-Java. Most of the places there are path-ways, only to reach the exact Southern point to have great views you need a local guide. You donot need to bring some special gear. Good walking shoes, bottle of water, a walking-stick (to test the ground, and drive away some snakes) and for sure a guide. It is worth to do because of the magnificent views high above the sea. To spend a night bring a tent, flashlights, sleeping bags, some warm clothing, food and water.
Singosari temple
by theo1006
Candi Singosari or Singosari temple was discovered in 1803, when like of many others no more remained than a heap of stone. Its present shape is the result of restoration work in 1934 through 1937.
The design of Singosari temple is extraordinary, because it consists of two storeys on a low pedestal. The lower storey contains an inner chamber, the upper storey not. Actually the temple was never finished, only the top is decorated.
An edict from 1351 AD states that Singosari temple was built by order of a council of seven kings in honour of the Shivaist high priest and prime minister by name of Pu Raganatha or Sang Ramapati, who died with the last king of Singhasari, Kertanegara, as a result of a sudden attack of the king of Kadiri. It is thought that king Kertanegara and his ministers were worshipping on the very spot of Singosari temple when their rivals from Kadiri attacked them. Chairman of the council was Tribhuvana, third king of Majapahit. This indicates clearly that the Majapahit dynasty saw itself as the successor of Singhasari, not of Kadiri.
That Tribhuvana also stood in the Shivaist tradition is clear from the layout of the temple. Statues of Mahakala and Nandiswara once guarded the entrance, statues of the goddess Durga and of Ganesha stood in the recesses on the sides. All these but were taken to the Netherlands and are now in the Leiden Museum. The only statue remaining is that of Agastya (Shiva as teacher), probably because it was too damaged to be of interest to the colonial power.
A number of other more or less damaged statues are standing aside in the temple grounds, among these one of Vishnu with the attributes of Shiva and one of goddess Chamunda.
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Sempu island off Sendangbiru beach
Candi Badut
Flowers ready for transport to town
Tugu Balai Kota Malang
