Cetho Temple, Central Java

 

Welcome

Several months ago, I and my friends visited the most fabulous temple in Mt. Lawu slope. It is called  Cetho Temple. I have visited this temple several times but I never feel bored. It is amazing as always. I did not visit this place to pray since I am not Hindu but I like the temple structure, the scenery, and the weather. I just feel it's like a hidden paradise. 

the way to the top of the temple terrace

Cetho Temple is a Hinduism Temple. Precisely it is located at the west slope of Mt. Lawu, Gumeng Village, Jenawi Subdistrict, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. It is at 1496 metres above the sea level. It is large temple about 190x30 metres with 13 terrace. It was built in 1475. There is no public transportation to get there so if we want to visit you have to drive a car or ride a motorcyle. You could rent the car as well. It could be reached from Surakarta, Central Java or from Ngawi, East Java. It needs around two hours to get there but it's worth it. 

 

 the gates

This function of this temple is to free someone from curse. It is Hinduism believe. You will still find a ritual overthere and myrrh everywhere. There are many statues. Almost of them are off-headed. Here the first gate will lead you to the first terrace and so on. At the third terrace you will find some unique and great statues on ground. Turtles, garuda, and some other animals. These statues inform the year when the temple was built and some of them potray the story of Samudramanthana and Garudeya.

 

statues on ground

Samudramanthana is the story about two women bet about the color of the horse's tail that brings the water of life. These women are Winata and Kadru. Winata were cheating and she won. Kadru then became her slave. In Garudeya, Kadru is freed by his son. That's the story.

 

off-headed

Besides the history of this temple, it has a very fabulous scenery. Some people usually go to this place to enjoy it and it opens for tourists. They also go to this temple at the new year eve to enjoy the fireworks from distance. It's beautiful. the unique things of this temple is there are phallus and vagina statues. It considered to be taboo in eastern culture but it symbolize something. Tbe phallus and vagina symbolize a new born after someone frees from curse. Trust me, it is a marvelous temple you must visit.

 come and you will come and come again