DIENG PLATEAU A PLACE OF THE GOD

By Hanifa Kartika Dewi

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Dieng name derived from Sanskrit language which is "di" means the place and
"hyang" means Gods. Overall Dieng can be defined as a place of the Gods. Located at high
latitude area at Middle java, was a highest village at Java Island. The location at Wonosobo
district, main city was Wonosobo. it is 2100m above sea levels. Wonosobo itself was far from
main major population, and it was hills town. Dieng Plateau have a great culture and beauty
nature. The cold weather has led to the unique style of dress of its people. Temperatures
during the day ranged between 15-20 degrees Celsius while in the night between 10 degrees
Celsius. In July and August temperatures can reach 0 degrees
Celsius during the day and -10 degrees Celsius at night.
The Dieng Plateau owes it's existence as a high
plateau the outbreak of a huge, ancient volcano, which
happened some 16,000 years ago. The Prahu Volcano left the large landscape with the size of
14km to 6km. A hundred of smaller volcanic craters, lakes and pools are to visit here, and the
volcanic activities are to see and to smell everywhere around.
There are so many tourist spots on Dieng Plateau. Its depend on what you like. If you
love nature, spirituality and history, the Dieng Plateau is the perfect place to visit for you.
If you like history, you can visit Arjuna Temple complex. Arjuna Temple is the oldest
Hindu temple in Java. The temples and view of the hill behind were perfect combination.
Originally there were more than 400 temples and a great number of secularian buildings for
the inhabitants to live and an additional infrastructure, of what nothing is left except eight
remaining temples. Some of the statues inside the temples are missing. This was no ordinary
settlement of farmers & peasants, the people here built a large complex of around 400 Hindu

temples & shrines dedicated to the Hindu god, lord Shiva the Destroyer using volcanic stone
& iron tools. The temples, comprising of Srikandi Temple, PuntadewaTemple, and
SembadraTemple stood in line on the left of Arjuna. Puntadewa has a shape that is almost
similar to the Arjuna, while Srikandi Temple and Sembadra Temple slightly smaller and
shorter. Based on the folklore, Puntadewa Temple is in the midst of Srikandi and Sembadra
as a mediator for the two sisters who both became the wife of Arjuna.To get it there, the
entrance fee is about 25.000.
If you like beautiful scenery,you can visit Telaga Warna, Sikidang Crater (don't forget
bring masker) and hike to top of Sikunir hill to see
bautiful sunrise. Telaga warna is lake with three
different colour. that reflects the color green, blue
and purple We didnt get to see the many color of
the lake water due to not enough sun to actually
create the reflection, but it was still okay and nice
to see the lake and it's mystical feel. The three
colors is show up from the difference between its
depth. more depth means the color got darker. you
can see a bubble pop up from the water.Telaga
warna is actually a volcanic spring heated by deep
underground hydrothermal activity up on Indonesias highest village plateau of Dieng. you
will get charged entry for 10.000 Rupiahs.
Other destination at Dieng Plateau is Sikidang
Crater. Some people say that there is something very
similar to this crater which is called Kawah Putih (White
Crater) located in Ciwidey just off Bandung. The place smell of sulphur and hydrogen

sulphide so, dont forget to bring masker. The walk to the crater isn't very far or difficult,
about 200+ meters away, but it is uphill, over pretty rugged terrain. But the panorama was so
cool.
Mount Sikunir is a 2200 meters hill at Dieng,
Wonosobo. It is high enough so we can find edelweiss
flower there. This place is definetely the best location to
see and enjoy sunrise in Dieng. The main attraction in
this place is the sunrise. mount Sindoro, Sumbing, Merbabu, and Merapi .The hillside is
stunning with the terraced planting of potatoes and other vegetables.
One is the phenomenon of anak gimbal (dreadlocks kids). For some reasons many
children in this region was suddenly turned into dreadlocked. They were born normal, just
like the other children, but then got a sudden high fever and grew dreads on their heads. Most
people believed that children are the decendent of "pepunden" or ancestral founder of Dieng.
They are then have to go through a cut ritual, people call it Ruwatan Rmbut Gimbal
ceremony, after their demand were granted by the parents. When the parents fail to comply,
the dreads will grow again though it has been cut many times.
The main commodities are potatoes and cabbage. Carica, typical papaya of Dieng is
turned into delicious meals that always hunted as typical souvenir of Dieng. Purwaceng, a
wild grass that grows, turned into a nutritious drink to increase male masculinity. Purwaceng
is just one of many herb species that once grew wild in Dieng Plateau. this herb is known for
its effect since long time ago. It is said that purwaceng already consumed since the days of
the Hindu kingdom Speaking of culinary, a must try food of Dieng is the delicious Tempeh
Kemul and the legendary Mie Ongklok Wonosobo. Mie Ongklok is the culinary icon that

should not be missed. The combination of noodles, vegetables, thick gravy with secret recipes
and cooking methods make it an excellent unique culinary among others.