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Yogyakarta province is part of Indonesia. Yogyakarta is the former first major empire in Indonesia, but now a province of a specially-called "Special Region of Yogyakarta". And known as the DIY Yogyakarta

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple is the masterpiece of Hindu culture from the 10th century. The building is slender and towering as high as 47 meters makes incomparable beauty of its architecture.

Candi Prambanan is a stunningly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reign of two kings, Rakai Pikatan and Rakai balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire, to show Hindu triumph in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle area that is now a beautiful park.

There was a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make the 999 statues cursed Jonggrang into the statue-1000 because he felt cheated.

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. The third temple is the symbol of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All three temples were facing east. Each of the main temples has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are 2 temples wedge, four of the temple curtain, and the fourth corner of the temple. Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.

Enters Shiva temple situated in the center and the highest building, you'll see four rooms fruit. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other three rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is touted as the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the legend above.

In the Vishnu temple is located on the north side Shiva temple, you will only see one room that contains the statue of Vishnu. Similarly, Brahma temple located on the south side Shiva Temple, you will also find only one room contains a statue Brahma.

Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located near the temple of Vishnu. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, the golden body, white face, red wings, beak and wings like an eagle. It is estimated that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shine' that is associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving her mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda is born handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amrita (sacred water of the god).

The ability to save was admired by many people until now and used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the symbol of the state. That said, creator of the emblem for inspiration in this temple. Other countries that also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but the adaptation of different shape and appearance. In Thai, Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.

Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. According to experts, the relief is similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the ninth century had wisdom to manage their environment.

Just as the figure of Garuda, Kalpataru is now also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, became a symbol of the Environment Forum (WALHI). In fact, some scientists in Bali to develop the concept of Tri Hita Karana for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. Tree of life, can also be found on the mountains that used to open the puppet arts. A proof that the relief panels in Prambanan has worldwide.

If careful, you can also see various birds relief, this time a real bird. Bird reliefs at Prambanan are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One was relief crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) that invite questions. Why, the bird is only found in Masakambing island, an island in the middle of Java Sea. Then, whether the species was once numerous in Yogyakarta? Please find out for yourself. Because, until now no single person who can solve the mystery.

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Parangtritis Beach

The most popular beach in Yogyakarta, Parangtritis offers varied tourism experiences. You may enjoy the scenery of the beach from the horseback or the horse-cart and see the Peh Cun festival with its extraordinary standing egg attraction. 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.(http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/beach/parangtritis/)