Singosari temple, is also known as Kendedes temple, was founded in honor to the King Kertanegara, who was the last king of Singosari dynasty who died in 1292 AD. This temple was erected in 1300 AD at the same time when the ritual Sradha took place. In the vicinity of the temple there are two gigantic statue called Dwarapala, believed to be the entrance guards to the palace.

Singosari Temple - Singosari, Malang

This temple has saved the historical story that always remember by Malang public. However, Singosari temple is a symbol of the existence of Malang regency from years ago.

Singosari Statue

As the other East Java’s temple, Singosari temple is formed from red bricks and arranged in cone building, called temple. This temple also has beautiful relief that describe the great of Singosari Kingdom years ago.

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Kapur Cave

Kapur cave is located near to Blawan waterfall in Kalianyar village, Bondowoso. Goa Kapur or Kapur cave is approximately located around 175 Km from Belawan hot spring. At the cave, the local people believe there is a clear water poll that being used by Damarwulan to wash his face at that time. Damarwulan was a Javanese legendary hero that had mighty power to help the poor.

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Seblang is one of rituals in Osing societies, Banyuwangi regency. This ritual can be found in two villages, which is. Bakungan village and Olihsari village. Olihsari society will held this ceremony in a week after the Idul Fitri. While, Bakungan society will held the ceremony in a week after the Idul Adha.

This ritual is having purpose to be the reinforcement from bad situations that might happened within the society. This kind of ritual can also be found in some area in Indonesia, like Sintren ritual in Cirebon, Jaran Kepang and Sanghyang in Bali.

The dancers that allowed to perform Seblang dance are chosen by the shaman from each village. Moreover, it will be better if the chosen dancers are the descendants of the earlier dancers.

At Olihsari village, the chosen dancers are taken from the girls that have not puberty yet. While, in Bakungan, the dancers are taken from the elder lady in 50 years old above that already get menopause.

 Seblang dance is  a very old tradition, so it is difficult to trace the origin of the commencement. However, historical records show that the first known Seblang was a woman named Semi, which also became the first woman Gandrung dance pioneer (died 1973).

After recovering from her illness, then her mother’s vow (Mak Midah or Mak Milah ) must be revealed, Semi  finally became the first seblang dancer in the age of her childhood until her teenage age, the she started to become a  Gandrung dancer.

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Remo Dance, East Java Traditional Dance

Remo Dance

Remo dance is originating from Jombang regency, East Java. At early begin, this dance was used as an opening show before Ludruk show. In times, this dance is practically performed as a welcome dance in special occasion like state ceremonies and local arts festival.

Remo dance is telling about the struggle of a prince in a battle. Hence, this dance is performed by a man, or today, it is performed by a woman who dressed up like a man. By that case, today, there is a type of Remo dance, which is Remo Putri or type of Remo dance which performed by a woman.

The main characteristic of Remo dance is a smart footwork and dynamic movement. This movement is supported by the bells that attached at the ankle. This bell will sounds when the dancers stepping or stomping on the stage. In addition, the other movement characteristic is taken from the scarf or sampur, nod and shake of the head movements, facial expressions, and the horses movement make this dance more attractive.

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Animal Museum, Batu Secret Zoo, Batu City

Batu Secret Zoo

Batu Secret Zoo is an official site of Jawa Timur Park or Jatim Park 2 that located in Batu city, East Java. Batu Secret Zoo is a modern zoo, complete with the high architectural design and numbers of animals’ collection. This zoo can be accessed for about 30n minutes from Malang city or 90 minutes from Surabaya. Moreover, this location is also near to other recreational park, which is Batu Night Spectacular or BNS.

By lying on 2 hectares land, there are three sections become the visitors’ route during the exploration to this zoo. The first section is about the zoo. The visitors who entrance the gate, can exploring the animals in some of artificial cage. The animals are taken from the entire endemic world and divided into some sections like Tiger land, Savannah Land, Hippo and Croc Garden, River Adventure, Safari Farm, Reptile zone and so on.
While enjoying the exotic animals, the visitors can also experience the beautiful sceneries along the uphill and down road.

The second section is called Museum Satwa or The Animals Museum. The content of this museum is about the bones of the animal, like, dinosaurs; the artificial pre historic animals, the artificial of the extinct animals and the preserved animals like butterfly, civet, deer, some of fishes and more. This museum is standing close to exit gate of the main section. The museum is having luxurious white building and high interior design.
The last but not least section is about the hotel inside the location, called Pohon Inn. Pohon Inn is a hotel within the zoo areal, it standing in front of the main location, next to the main entrance gate to the zoo.

This hotel is having the ‘tree house’ concept, which is designed similar to the real trunk and walled by solid material look- like wood. Beside the architectural, this ‘tree house’ is the only hotel in Indonesia that facilitated by moving fast food, forest nuance and surrounded by living animals. The animals are placed into the glass cage, so the visitors seems having close distance to the animals around. Furthermore, this hotel is surrounded by the view of Arjuna Mountain, Banyak Mountain and Panderman Hill. Do not worry about the hospitality, for this hotel is also highly concern about that.

Batu Secret Zoo is your safari-in-town recreational site that highly recommended for families, group and personal. It contents of educational, fun and togetherness among the warm hospitality, yet chill nuance.

More info
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Caping Ngancak Dance

Caping Ngancak dance is one of traditional dances in Lamongan regency. The dance is describes about farmers in their rice field showing the process from grow the rice until they get harvest. Like farmers, the dancers also wearing ‘Caping’, which is a special hat that only wore by farmer in Indonesia.

This dance is performed by group of young females who wore village costumes in modern style and bring Caping as the main property.

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Mask Puppet

Mask puppet is other form of Puppet shows in East Java. Mask puppet is growing in Malang, Probolinggo, Situbondo and Sumenep. The show is like a human puppet, which the puppet played by the human players using mask. The story itself based on Mahabarata and Ramayana classic story, but in Topeng of Malang, there is also Panji’s story, a classic Javanese hero.

More info
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Singo Ulung Dance

Singo Ulung dance is a traditional art dance from Bondowoso that annually been performed at Bondowoso’s anniversary. This traditional dance was created by a respected man named Singo. Singo was name of a person who came from Blambangan. He was ran from Blambangan to save himself and stayed in Blimbing village, Klabang district Bondowoso. Singo Ulung and his wife Nyi Moena with Ki Jasiman, were helping and cooperating each other to create a prosperous life of society at Blimbing village. He cared about the rice field and the other people daily needed. Many people were proud about him. Thats why, he was choose to become the first head village of Blimbing village.

One day, he had an idea to create a public traditional dance called Singo Ulung which was played by two people. This dance has accompanied with particular music which makes the audience feel astonished. This art together with Pojian art, Ojung art are always showed at the traditional ceremony namely Bersih Desa Blimbing which is always held every year (the month of Syaban / Ruwah). In the other hand, this art performance can be enjoyed in the annual moment of Hari Jadi Bondowoso precisely at 16 August.

More details
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Kesiman Temple

Kesiman Temple is located in Kesiman Tengah village, Pacet district, Mojokerto regency. In Kesiman temple there are only the foot and body part remain. This temple is looks out upon west direction. On its fourth body part, has crafted some relief in Javanese style, medallion, rectangle, and human shape.

In medallion, there is animal relief; then in rectangle, there is entertainer. The up stair is located in southwest and southeast side. The under part of stair in southeast is getting broken. The north side wall of the entertainer is dragon relief that pull by two human, in left and right side. While, in right and left side of the up stair is “Gana”.

More info
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It is important to inform that the local communities usually determine the schedules of the ceremonial events by using the calendars of Javanese, Moslem, and Hindu Tenggerese. Therefore, to assure the exact date of the events, it is advisable to confirm the local Government Tourist Offices.

We hope the East Java’s Calendar of Events 2011 will be helpful and useful for visitors and travelers.

SEPTEMBER
1 – 7 September – SEBLANG OLEHSARI

Seblang is a ceremony of village purification highlighted with mystical traditional dance called Seblang. Women will play it for seven days in row. This ritual dance aims to drive away the evil spirit. In the last day, the dancers parade throughout the village by distributing some flowers and the villagers try to get and keep it at their home as an amulet.
Location: Glagah, Banyuwangi Regency
8 September – FISH AUCTION

It is held to welcome Idul Fitri highlighted with special fish (Bandeng) auction. The fish is taken from either dry water or salty one.
Location: Market, Gresik Regency

27 September – SENDANG BIRU SEA OFFERING

The religious rituals of Hindu society that are consecutively held in 3 days before Nyepi holiday on the beach of Balekambang. The ceremony launches offerings to the sea to express thanksgiving and pray together to drive away the evil spirit.
Location: Sendang Biru Beach, Tambakrejo, Malang Regency
September – KARO CEREMONY

It is a tradtional ceremony held by Tennggerese commmunity for seven days consecutively in the hope to keep alive the custom and tradition. It is highlighted with traditional dances like Sodoran, Ojung and Nyadran.
Location: Tosari, Pasuruan Regency.
September – SKILOT

To celebrate the seventh day after Lebaran Day, the Pasuruan community holds the competition of sky on the mud.
Location: Lekok, Pasuruan Regency

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