Mandara Giri Temple

Mandara Giri Temple is one of religious tourims in Lumajang that often visited by many pilgrimage. This great temple also save Lumajang history in the past. When you are lucky, you can visit this temple while the traditional ceremony being held and there will be interesting ceremonial presented.

At this location a religious ceremony is performed by Hindus, who are primarily Balinese. They perform the MEMENDAK THIRTHA ceremony and the MJEJAUMAN ceremony on Mount Semeru. The annual ceremonies are conducted in July. Balinese traditional dances are performed as part of those ceremonies. The temple is in located Sendoro district, about 25 km west of Lumajang.

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Sendang Duwur

The impressive gateway of Sendang Duwur can be found on a hilltop not far from the coast at Paciran north of Lamongan or east of Tuban. The place name is taken from a Moslem Saint, Sunan Sendang, who was buried there in 1585. Sunan Sendang Duwur is one of the Islam spreaders in Java. His charismatic is the same as Wali Songo.

The stylistically decoration of the gateway is describe about the transition from ancient Hindu / Javanese to Moslem principles. The symbols of Hindu Majapahit lie alongside Arabic Calligraphy. The outer gateway to the graveyard has Bentar style and inside of the gateway has Paduraksa style. The beautiful woodcarving surrounds the main tomb. In the right and the left side of the wall is decorated with two giant heads from the black stone material. The pilgrims from all part of the region, often visit to this beautiful graveyard.

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Al Akbar Mosque

Al-Akbar Great mosque is located in Pagesangan Street, Jambangan sub-district, Surabaya. It was built in August, 4 1995 and was inaugurated on November 10, 2000 by Mr. President KH Abdurrahman Wahid.

Al-Akbar mosque is such a magnificent and modern mosque that has been known in Asia and Worldwide. This mosque is become another icon from Surabaya relating the religious tourism site. Al-Akbar mosque is the second largest mosque after Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

Al-Akbar Great mosque has 11.2 hectare area with a building area of 28,509 square meters, 147 meters long, 128 meters wide. This mosque has two-story and being equipped by elevators and towers. The visitor who give visit to the mosque can enjoy the views of Surabaya, Sidoarjo and Bangkalan on the top of the tower, which has 99 meters high. With only Rp. 3000 per person to go to the tower.

The mosque is equipped with various amenities and facilities such as; the secretariat office, As-Shofa Al-Marwah room which has 36 mx 42 m wide square equipped with a stage exhibition carpet, sound system, air conditioned, 3 wifi spots, 100 pieces seats, dressing room and toilet and can accommodate 2000 invitations.

The unique impression of this building lies in the unique design of the dome which like the structure of the leaves , with building structure combination between dark blue and green color that gives the impression of cool and peace. It has a main building and two other buildings that can be penetrate directly into the main building.

The exterior of the mosque is decorated with various shades of carving and calligraphy. The entrance to the mosque consists of 45 main doors, and everything is made by carved teak wood. While, the interior of the mosque is decorated by carvings ornamental and calligraphy which is very dominant adorning the walls of the mosque. There is Koran shelves scattered throughout the mosque and at the top of the interior there is calligraphy ornament which has 180 meters long with one meter width.

More about the architecture, the beauty of the mosque is completely supporting by good lighting. Starting from the lighting in the building, yard, garden, until the lights that illuminating the dome and minarets.

Furthermore, the mosque becomes more magnificent by the beauty of glass ornaments in the interior decoration. The carving art glass has become a strength and beauty of its own in the field of exterior and interior, beside, it is useful to saving the energy and to muffle the noise.

Apart from being a place of worship, this mosque is also reserved for Islamic syiar. It is proved by the islamic activities like Islamic marriage ceremony often conducted in areas of Zam-Zam with facilitad by wide parking space. There is also the Zaitun venue and and Yasmin which are reserved for the Haji, recitation and religious counseling.

Overall, aside from the commercial things, the mosque is literally the place to worship Him and become the home for those who lose and exhausted, and everyone is welcome to be home.

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Mojowarno Church

Mojowarno’s Eastern Javanese Christian Church, a history witnesses whom stands still through times changes. As if almighty God whom stays inside, to be a King and a Father. The quotation above is come from the verse of the Bible, which shows the communities’ submission from its local inhabitant, whose trying so hard to construct the church to be an appropriate Abode.

Starting from the hidden little garden, this Church was build. By being a minority in the middle of differences, this modesty church had transform dynamically with the spirit from the communion into one of an icon for East Java now days. It is not a tourism destination to be visit for pleasure time, but by this Church people can learn about how its struggling so hard to stand still through times changing, while we can learn more how to be grateful.

The early communion was held on 1845, the building was starting from inappropriate little shack, till it has some renovated for many times and being a simply and comfy Abode to live for. This Church is not a kind of fancy and sophisticated architecture, by its simplicity makes this church looks firm and strong. As if represent the struggle of the people who stands for it.

January 24, 1879 the church had first renovating and it was officially re-open on March 3, 1881. By the spirit to renovate this church, the spirit of the communion had also be change to be better in life. While, to celebrate a century of this church there were next renovated which start from July 23, 1979 to December 23, 1979. This Church has Byzantine and Gothic style of architecture, like the early 12 Century Churches. It has shown the blandness of western and our cultural way of style.

Mojowarno’s Eastern Javanese Christian Church, a symbol of history, which stands still through times. Strong and firm as if the almighty God.

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Sayid Sulaiman Grave

Friday ‘Legi’ (one of Javanese’s days) Night, the easier expression to remember a ritual activity of pilgrimage to Mbah Sayyid Sulaiman grave, which attended by thousands of people who coming from various place.
It is beginning when Mbah Sayyid take hold as Wodli in Kanigoro, Pasuruan. When he had pilgrimage to waliulloh Mbah Raden Alif grave in Mancilan, Mojoagung, he was sick and finally he passed away in that place.

This graveyard is in Mancilan, Mojoagung district. Moreover, it is easy to visit, because we can use various vehicles. Besides known as historic place, this grave is also assumed as a holy place. Sometimes there are many people are having pilgrimage for ‘ask a benediction’.

According to history that has written, Mbah Sayyid Sulaiman is one of the descendants of Rasulullah (Muhammad SAW) to 26. During his life, he recognized as religious man, has good personality and his behaviour almost has no different with Rasulullah (Muhammad SAW). He is wise, especially in taking every decision, decent to humanity and respect to each and everyone who met him.

As ‘pedigree’ of Prophet, Mbah Sayyid Sulaiman was always respecting the religious activity. In all broadcast religion opportunity, he always used Rasulullah SAW style. Mbah Sayyid was also fond to had pilgrimage in all of Moslem member’s graveyards. He passed away in 17 RobiuI AwaI (one of Java’s months) 1193 H or 24 Marchs 1780 M. His mother was a Cirebon King’s daughter.

It is better if visit to Raden Alif grave first to ‘ask for permission‘, because the purpose of Mbah Sayyid Sulaiman was for having pilgrimage to MbahAlif. It is the ethnics of having pilgrimage, and this thing is still become culture.

Hence, the impact of the pilgrims, especially to Friday ‘Legi’ night, is influence the economics life of people around. It is because the people around has sell some merchandises with cheap price.

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Hok Yoe Kiong Temple

It was half century ago, the Chinese people in Nganjuk town was Kong Hu Cu. Unfortunately, there were not such appropriate temple to go to. The only thing left was the altar for The Honor of Kongco Tik Tjoen Ong, which was in China Gathering Hall, today’s known as Dr. Soetomo Street, Nganjuk. Even though the condition of the temple was inappropriate, the Parish was large enough.

Mr. Soen Boen Lee is one of the parishes who always come to pray to the temple. Since he is praying at the temple he feels many graces come into his life, and he feels so blessed and much more prosperity come into his business. Those facts makes The Honor of Kongco Kong Tik Tjoen Ong largely become more famous and attract many more people to come, both from outside or inside the town. This hilarious cannot stay any longer for the temple is not enough to hold the people.

The main existence of the temple is a place to pray and put the statue which symbolizing the Man who’s having great influence for the people indeed. Moreover, it having purpose to memorize the contributions from those Man, in order to be good example for the people nowadays.

The People who come to the temple is consist of some religion, that is why this temple been called as Tri Darma “Hok Yoe Kiong” Sukomoro- Nganjuk. The uniqueness from this temple, where it can’t be found from any other temple, there is a pile of earth about 1 meter in one of the room. It been said that the pile was refers to the ant, on the altar written “Ya Ong” or “King of Ant”.

Hok Yoe Kiong in Sukomoro, Nganjuk, is not big enough, but it builds on the road margin near with the train station, beside the Sukomoro district office and traditional market, where is the central of Nganjuk Onion. The visitors who come to this temple is not only from local area, but it also come from outside town, especially Surabaya. This thing makes the founder of this temple, Soen Boen Lee and the family feels so happy. Nowadays, the management for this temple is not only come from Tri Darma, but also come from Moslem, Catholic and Christian. They are invited to join in order to maintain this temple. The leader of this temple nowadays is Mr. Teguh who’s got the honor from the people until the temple shown its movement. Socially, this temple has also taking apart in Leong art and Barong Sai, which use the player from local inhabitant. Moreover about sport, in every Sunday morning there are always Early Exercise on the temple for the people around Sukomoro and Nganjuk.

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Sunan Derajat Grave

Sunan Drajat is one of the charismatic of an Islam spreaders in Java who is called Wali Songo. He was very intelligent man and people called him Raden Qosim. His father, Sunan Ampel sent him to Aceh and Mocca to study Islam. After finishing his study, he taught Islam at the north coast of Java especially at Paciran, Lamongan.

As a religious teacher, Sunan Drajat was known as the social Moslem who paid much attention to the poor. He developed the social welfare first then he taught his doctrines. To respect his great struggle, the local government of Lamongan Regency built a museum in the complex of the cemetery and it was officially opened by the governor of East Java on March, 31 1992.

This grave is located at Paciran village, Lamongan district. Generally, the pilgrims of this grave are domestic tourist. Besides, tourists from Asian countries also often visit it. The facilities that the tourists can get in this graveyard are; parking area, mosque, restaurants, rest place and bathroom. Those facilities are prepared for the tourists, in order to get their pleasure to come to this place.

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Catholic Church Kelahiran Santa Perawan Maria

Catholic church of Kelahiran Santa Perawan Maria is the oldest church in Surabaya, and being famous by its name of Kepanjen Catholic church for it located in Kepanjen Street, Surabaya, aside with Frateran Catolic Senior high school.

Before the build of this Catholic Church, there was a first European-style Catholic Church in Surabaya street located in corner of Kepanjen and Kebonrojo. At first, the two priests on July 12, 1810, Hendricus Waanders and Phillipus Wedding came from the Netherlands by boat to Surabaya. Wedding priest then assigned to Batavia while Father Waanders settled in Surabaya.

Pastor Waanders often had service for Catholics church in Surabaya. And the number of people was increase, and it made the Catholics planted to build a Catholic church. And only in the year 1822, the Catholics was built a church to realize the first in a corner of Roomsche Kerkstraat / Komedie Weg (Kepanjen / Kebonrojo).

However, recently the first Catholic church was moved into new premises in the north, precisely in the Kepanjen street, South Krembangan, North Surabaya. This is because the old church was damaged.

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Sendang Dhuwur

The impressive gateway of Sendang Duwur can be found on a hilltop not far from the coast at Paciran north of Lamongan or east of Tuban. The place name is taken from a Moslem Saint, Sunan Sendang, who was buried there in 1585. Sunan Sendang Duwur is one of the Islam spreaders in Java. His charismatic is the same as Wali Songo.

The stylistically decoration of the gateway is describe about the transition from ancient Hindu / Javanese to Moslem principles. The symbols of Hindu Majapahit lie alongside Arabic Calligraphy. The outer gateway to the graveyard has Bentar style and inside of the gateway has Paduraksa style. The beautiful woodcarving surrounds the main tomb. In the right and the left side of the wall is decorated with two giant heads from the black stone material. The pilgrims from all part of the region, often visit to this beautiful graveyard.

More info visit
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Kelenteng Sanggar Agung Surabaya

Klenteng Sanggar Agung or Hong San Tan tempke is a temple for Buddhist, Tao and Kong Hu Cu followers. Located in Sukolilo Street 100, Kenjeran Beach.

Like any other temples that we can find, Sanggar Agung temple has particular in design and also in its atmosphere, the design is very unique and quite sophisticated. From the very inside of the building, the back side is outstandingly amazing with the great goddess of Kwan Im Pouw Sat statue and four status for the guardians, which is one them is Kwan Kong, the god of war. The are also two dragons statue over the goddess and the guardians that look strong and firm in 6 meters long. The Kwan Im statue has 20 meters high, and look nice over the beauty of the masterpiece. Those statues are build after less than 2 years from the temple was build.

While, the statues that standing to be the worship statues in Sanggar Agung are, on the left side is Cai Shen Ye, the prosperity God; Guang Sen Di Jong or Kwang Kong, the god of war; Fu De Zheng Shen, the god of happiness and longevity; at the center is Guan Shi Yi Pu Sa or Kwan Im, the goddess of wisdom. On the right side there is, Xuan Tiang Shang Di, the god of medicine; Tai Shang Lao Jun, the god of earth or the founder of Taoism; Tian Shang Sheng Mu, the god mother. Each of them have its own altar to be the worship places among the followers.

The visitors who come to this temple are not only from the followers, but also from those who want to visit and have a look for the temple, adoring the building or taking some photograph. This temple is now become one of the tourism destinations instead of to be the pilgrimage sire in Surabaya, especially for those who give visit to Kenjeran beach, they must be spend the time to Sanggar Agung. Because the location is settled into the same area of Kenjeran beach, then it seems that Sanggar Agung become the complete package that worth to be visited after the beach and The Four Faces Buddha which is located directly in front of the temple.

Sanggar Agung temple become more crowd when Lunar New Year has come, the time when all the Tionghoa ethnic celebrate their new year event. The temple will dominated into red colors and cheerfully appears as a symbol of happiness among the people. Moreover, this temple is also have some celebrating events related with Chinese holidays or customs, like The Full Moon Celebration or Zhongqiu Pia event, The Kwan Im celebration, .

The existence of Sanggar Agung temple become more attractive because of the location of the temple is situated above the sea water. That makes this temple to be the only temple that build on the top of the sea water.

The early begin of this temple was just the continuity of the family temple from Loe Kim Soen, the founder and the father of Soetiadji Yudo, who is the leader of Sanggar Agung Temple. This temple was officially inaugurate on 1999, precisely on the Lunar New Year. The word Sanggar Agung have meaning as A Great Place.

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