The Temple of Mandara Giri Semeru Agung
Pura Mandara Giri Semeru is the object of religious tourism in Lumajang. In addition to the Hindu community in Senduro, this temple is often visited by Hindu people from outside the area of East Java, including Bali, especially during the great days as well as religious or ceremonial piodalan (temple anniversary) which is held every year around July. At this ceremony of the Hindu community would appear to meet the various regions of the temple to pray and display various kinds of art, including Balinese art.
Located on the east foot of Mount Semeru, behind the founding of this temple there was an interesting story. Early establishment of Mandara Giri Semeru Pura in District Senduro associated with Tirta Nuur ceremony, the ceremony or the taking of holy water begging to Patirtaan Watu Kelosot at the foot of Mount Semeru by the Hindus of Bali. Tirta Nuur ceremony is part of the Great Work Ekadasa Rudra ceremony at Pura Agung Besakih, the temple is located at the foot of Mount Agung in Bali. At the ceremony of holy water to be brought by the Hindus from the foot of Mount Semeru up to Pura Agung Besakih. The ceremony was originally performed in March 1963, which is then executed again in 1979.
With the ceremony being held on a regular basis, which involves both of Balinese Hindus and Hindus around the area of Mount Semeru original, it was decided to establish a sanctuary in which the history of the region declared a sacred area during this ancient Javanese.
The development process Pura Mandara Giri Semeru done gradually since 1990 until now, and it is still visible in some parts of the region. Entering the main gate we see the magnificent temples as well as some Padmasana (a place to pray and put the dish) are large. There is the temple called the Temple Bentar on one side and a temple in the middle brackets. Then getting into the area there are also some bale, which serves as a place to rest and storage of goods, such as bale stakes, gong bale, bale and gedong simpen kulkul. Then there is also a pavilion, called the sacred hall that serves as a special kitchen and bale patandingan normally used for a particular meeting.
At the time of our visit is not allowed to enter the main area is used as a place of religious ceremony, but from the outside looks great and padmanabha bale which is the temple guard and the main central shrine. Temple area also expanded to the lower east side and is equipped with a bale-bale support temple activities, such as pasraman Sulinggih, simpen bale bale equipment and two pagibungan addition to the kitchen, then on the south side looks Wantilan, a kind of magnificent buildings and spacious hall .
The presence of this temple shows the existence of religious harmony exemplary, that the Hindu community can be received well in East Java are known as areas with strong Muslim community in Java.
Source: travel.detik.com
