article from : javatourism.com
Benteng Vredeburg (lit. Vredeburg fort) is situated exactly face to face with Gedung Agung. The Dutch colonial built it in 1765 during the domination. It was built in order to anticipate the cannon shot from the Sultan's troops. Its function was also to protect the occupation of the Dutch Residence. This fort is surrounded by moats that still can be seen until now. The fort is rectangular-shaped, with kind of citadel (bastion) on its corner, which enable Dutch's soldiers to walk around and aim a good shot. From the base of the cannon on the southern bastion, visitors may enjoy wonderful views of Sultan's Palace and other historical building around, and certainly the busy traffic of Yogyakarta. The fort can be reach on foot from the center of the municipality.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Benteng Vredeburg
Prambanan, The Largest Hindu Temple
article from : wikipedia.org
Prambanan is the ninth century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to Trimurti, the highest three gods in Hinduism. The temple compound located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta city on the boundary between Yogyakarta and Central Java province.[1]
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the towering 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple of ancient Java, and the construction of this royal temple was probably started by Rakai Pikatan as the Hindu Sanjayas answer to the Buddhist Sailendra's Borobudur and Sewu temples nearby. The construction of Prambanan probably was meant to marked the return of Sanjaya dynasty to power after almost a century fell under Sailendra domination on Central Java.
A temple was first built at the site around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan or Balitung Maha Sambu the Sanjaya king of the Mataram Kingdom. Indeed, some archaeologists propose that the idol of Shiva in the garbhagriha (central chamber) of the main temple is modelled after King Balitung, serving as a depiction of his deified self after death.[2].
The temple compound was expanded by successive Mataram kings such as Daksa and Tulodong with the addition hundreds of perwara temples around the chief temple. Prambanan served as the royal temple of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram, with most of the state's religious ceremonies and sacrifices being conducted there. At the height of the Mataram kingdom, scholars estimate that hundreds of Brahmins with their disciples lived within the outer wall of the temple compound. The urban center and the court of Mataram were located nearby, somewhere in the Prambanan valley.
In the 930s, the court was shifted to East Java by Mpu Sindok, who established the Isyana Dynasty. While the reason for the shift remains uncertain, it was probably caused by an eruption of the volcano of Merapi located north of Prambanan, or a power struggle.
That marked the beginning of the temple's decline. It was soon abandoned and began to deteriorate. The temples themselves collapsed during a major earthquake in the 16th century.
In 1811 during Britain’s short-lived rule of the Dutch East Indies, Collin Mackenzie, a surveyor in the service of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, came upon the temples by chance. Although Sir Thomas subsequently commissioned a full survey of the ruins, they remained neglected for decades, with Dutch residents carting off sculptures as garden ornaments and native villagers using the foundation stones for construction material.
Half-hearted excavations by archaeologists in the 1880s merely facilitated looting. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918, and proper restoration only in 1930. Efforts at restoration continue to this day. The main building was completed around 1953. Since much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites, hampering restoration and since a temple can be rebuilt only if at least 75% of the original masonry is available, only the foundations of most of the smaller shrines are now visible with no plans for their reconstruction.
In the early 1990s the government removed the market that had sprung up near the temple and transformed the surrounding villages and rice paddies into an archaeological park. The park covers a large area, from Yogyakarta-Solo main road in the south, encompassing the whole Prambanan complex, the ruins of Lumbung and Bubrah temples, and as far as the Sewu temple compound in the north. In 1992 the Indonesian government created a State-owned Limited Liability Enterprise (PERSERO) of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Prambanan Ratu Boko. This enterprise is the authority for the park management of Borobudur Prambanan Ratu Boko and the surrounding region.
The open-air and indoor stages on the west side of the temple right across the Opak river, were built to stage the Ramayana ballet. This traditional Javanese dance is the centuries old dance of the Javanese court, performed every full moon night in the Prambanan temple since the 1960s. Since then, Prambanan has become one of the major archaeological and cultural tourism attractions in Indonesia.
The temple was damaged during the May 2006 Java earthquake. Early photos suggest that although the complex was structurally intact, the damage was significant. Large pieces of debris, including carvings, were scattered over the ground. The temple has been closed to visitors until the damage can be fully assessed. The head of Yogyakarta Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that it would take months to identify the precise extent of the damage.[3] However, some weeks later in 2006 the site had been re-opened for visitors. As of 2009, the interior of most of the temples remains off-limits for safety reasons.
Parangtritis, the Most Popular Beach in Yogyakarta
In addition to being the most popular beach in Yogyakarta, Parangtritis is worth visiting since it is closely related to such tourism objects as the Sultan Palace in Yogyakarta city, Parangkusumo Beach to the west of it, and the Merapi area at the north part of Yogyakarta. Located around 27 kilometers from the city center, Parangtritis Beach is also part of the Queen of South's authority.
The naming of the beach has its own history. Hundreds years ago, someone named Dipokusumo, who was a fugitive of Majapahit Kingdom, came to this area to meditate. When he saw water dripping from the crack of the coral reef, he named this area 'parangtritis', originating from the word parang (stone) and tumaritis (water drops). The beach close to the area was then named the same.
Parangtritis is a beach full of myths, which is believed to be the manifestation of the unity among Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta Kingdom, and Parangtritis Beach. The legend tells that Panembahan Senopati and Sunan Kalijaga once met in this place after completing their meditation. Panembahan Senopati was reminded of being a humble ruler despite his supernatural powers.
The primary attraction of this beach is its natural view. The enchantment of the coastal scenery can be seen from different angles to give you different experiences. When you are standing at the seashore, you will see the wide ocean with the high waves and steeply mountainside on the east side.
To get the view from the site, just walk or hire the horse-cart westwards and you look southwards when you have reached the place. You may get to the place by riding a horse that you shall rent at negotiable price.
After enjoying the scenery of Parangtritis beach from the seashore, you can leave for Langse Cave for a different experience. On the earth road leading to the cave, you can look westwards to see Parangtritis from different angle. The high waves rushing to the shore will look silvery under the sun, and will look golden by the sunset time. YogYES got the opportunity to see this exotic view during its visit a couple of days ago.
Before reaching Langse Cave, we suggest that you pay a visit to the graveyard of Syeh Bela Belu that will give you spiritual experience. Usually, many pilgrims come on certain days such as certain Tuesday that is called Kliwon on Javanese calendar as one of the five Javanese days of the week.
From the graveyard, you may challenge yourself to continue your journey to Langse Cave that you have to go on foot to get to the cave that is 3 kilometers away through as high as 400 meters mountainside at the slope of almost 900. To get into the cave that is also called the Queen of South cave, you have to get the permission from the tomb guard. According to the guard of Depok Beach several times entered the cave when he was young, we will get beautiful view of the south ocean at the mouth of the cave that directly faces the ocean.
On the fifth day of the fifth month of Chinese calendar, you will be able to see Peh Cun ceremony procession in Parangtritis. Peh Cun, originating from the word Peh that means oar and Cun that means boat, is Chinese expression of gratitude to God. This rite is also meant to commemorate Khut Gwan (Qi Yuan), a loyal patriot as well as a minister who was once betrayed by his colleague so that he committed a suicide.
Peh Cun ceremony is unique since there is no festival of dragon-decorated boats rowing like in other regions, instead there is an attraction of standing egg. The attraction begin at 11:00 a.m. and by afternoon, according to the myth, the egg will stand upright with no means of support are needed. By 01:00 p.m., however, the egg will suddenly fall down and no one can erect it anymore.
To get to Parangtritis Beach, you can take either one of the two routes. One is the route of Yogyakarta-Imogiri-Siluk-Parangtritis with the river and coral reel scenery on the way. The other is Yogyakarta-Parangtritis route that is easier to take with quite smooth road. It is suggested that you do not wear green clothes to respect local people who believe that green clothes will bring misfortune.
Monday, May 4, 2009
7 Wonders of The World
KapanLagi.com - If we talk about culture, of course each one has a cultural monument of exceptional unique and interesting, so are considered as wonders of the world. Why not try to visit the seven man-made wonders as you travel destination?
In 2001, the foundation New7Wonders Foundation decided to create a new list that finally released on 7 July 2007.
1. Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
The building is regarded as a beautiful building in the world. Created as a cemetery by Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, the beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Development of Taj Mahal began in 1632 and finished 21 years later, in 1653. The building is a combination of various architectural styles, Mughal, Ottoman, Islamic, Persian and some style again. Visitors who come are always stunned by the ceiling made of marble and various parts of the building which is a work of art is exceptional...
2. Petra (Jordan)
At the foot of Mount Hor in the Arabah, Jordan, we will find a beautiful city is exceptional. The city is made directly to the wall of stone sculpture of Mount Hor. Both the gate and in this city, is a work of art is exceptional.
City in the mountains found on this new 1812, but trusted that the city is inhabited by 18 to Dynasty Empire of Egypt.
3. Machu Picchu (Cuzco, Peru)
The city is known as the "City of Lost Inca nation", Machu Picchu, built on the Urubamba Valley and the high above 8000 feet above sea level. A city that was built in the year 1460-an this is considered a symbol of the main Inca empire and left the board at the time of Spanish colonization.
The city is forgotten, until Hiram Bingham, historian of the United States' find 'the city is back in the year 1911. This fact is considered problematic, because a lot of evidence shows that pillage is done about the possibility across the century before Hiram Bingham 'find' this site.
4. The Great Wall (China)
Originally built to protect the border from China during the attack outside the nation's 15 centuries and 16. The building is actually not one building intact, because the Chinese Emperor took a snippet of the wall contributed to this major.
The building has a length of more than 6000 km, six times longer than Java. This large wall begins and ends at Shanhaiguan Nur in the barrel. The most important part of this wall is a wall Ming, who had kept more than 1 million soldiers.
5. Koloseum (Rome, Italy)
This is of course you have heard, that because of various subjects membahasnya, or indeed because of the Roman culture which is considered high in the old world. Emperor Vespasian is the person who started the development in the year 70 BC, but Caesar could not see the end result, because this new building is completed in 80 M, when the Emperor Titus, successor, in power in Rome
The building is able to accommodate 80,000 spectators. Variety show, gladiator, execution of criminals, and look great displayed here. Although the earthquake and weather make many of the damaged building, Koloseum remain a central concern at the time of tourists visiting Rome.
6. Statue of Christ Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
This statue is considered as one of the most important symbols in Christianity. The statue is located in the Tijuca Forest National Park in the peak of Mount Corcovado. High statue is more than 36 meters and is considered as one of the highest religious statue in the world.
7. Chichen Itza (Yucatan, Mexico)
Chichen Itza in the Yucatan ditemumkan, Mexico is a major archaeological site that became the center of the tribe of Maya culture. In this ancient site found over 100 road miles and dozens of large stone building, which has now been restored to much greatness through their first restoration process.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Great Final in Champions League
Camp Nou (04/28) big macth 1st leg semi final Champion League Barcelona vs Chelsea. Their opportunities reach to Olimpico Rome is 50-50. But Chelsea were lucky because the second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge next week.
Other semi final will playing at (04/29) in Old Trafford Mu have big chance to progress to Rome because they will supported by fanatic supporter. Second leg at Emirates isn't trouble for MU because their record was good if playing at Emirates.
