A. Overview
After a week
being wrapped up with exhausting work and activities, there is nothing wrong
with withdrawing yourself from all the business. For that, going on a vacation
would be a good choice to refresh yourself. If you have been familiar with
places such as beach, mountain, temple, museum, zoo, and so on, you should try
a new experience by visiting an alternative tourist destination in Sendangsono.
Sendangsono is
a Catholic pilgrimage complex and often touted as Indonesian Lourdes as it
resembles the place of pilgrim in Lourdes, France. Situated in the area of
Menoreh Hills far away from urban hullabaloo and air pollution, the place has
the cool weather and tranquility conducive for praying and reflection. Despite
being a Catholic place of pilgrimage, the site is open for public. There are
visitors of various religious beliefs come to Sendangsono to merely savor its
quiet and peaceful environment.
Before
inaugurated as a place of Catholic pilgrimage by Romo J.B. Prennthaler SJ on
December 8, 1929, the place used to be a transit for pedestrians walking from
Borobudur to Boro and vice versa. The place was made a transit due to the sendang
(spring) between the Sono trees-thus the name originated. It was also where the
Budhist monks did their meditation.
As the Catholic
teachings began to be proselytized in Kalibawang area, the spring was used by
Father Van Lith to baptize 171 locals, including Barnabas Sarikromo as the
first catechument. Later on, the place was reconstructed by Father Van Lith and
his congregation to become a place of pilgrimage. At that time, the complex was
not as wide as it is now, there was only Maria Grotto, the chapel, and the yard
next to the river.
Over the time,
the place invited more and more pilgrims that it could no longer bear the
visitors. In 1974, a reconstruction started to widen the site. The gradual
construction was led by Father YB Mangunwijaya (Romo Mangun).
Typical of Romo
Mangun’s architectural work, the concept of the reconstruction was conceived to
have a Javanese atmosphere and be environment-friendly at the same time.
The materials were taken from surrounding nature, even the workers were the
locals living nearby. For that reason, Sendangsono was given the Aga Khan Awards
by the Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (Indonesian Architect Association) in 1991 for
the category of special construction.
B. Features
To get to
Sendangsono, you have to walk through a winding trail full of ups and downs.
Entering the complex, you will find a stone gate and a line of peddlers selling
souvenirs and worshipping equipments. The atmosphere is really peaceful and
calm in there. There is no noise of vehicles or people shouting, only the sound
of water flowing in a small stream and the tweet of birds welcoming you.
There are a lot
of activities you can do here, praying in front of Maria Lourdes Grotto,
Sendangsono, performing the Stations of the Cross, or merely enjoying the
tranquility while reflecting in the chapel or in the panggung houses
(houses built on stilt). You can also take a walk around relishing Sendangsono
architecture, standing upon a small bridge while enjoying the beauty of the
river below.
There are two
alternative routes in Sendangsono to perform the Stations of the Cross. The
first is the short one, which is usually taken by elders or for a brief visit.
Through the route, the spaces between stations are very close, only some steps
away. The points are marked with a diorama of the story of Jesus’ misery under
a small roof. The other route is the long one which starts from St. Maria
Promasan Parish and ends at Maria Lourdes Grotto. The route is around 1 km long
and usually taken in certain occassions such as before Easter.
After
performing the Stations of the Christ, you can pray in front of Maria Lourdes
Grotto. You can also write down your wish on a paper and put it in the fire
pot. In the grotto, there stands a statue of Virgin Mary, which was bestowed by
the Queen of Spain. The statue was brought there by the congregation from
Sentolo to Sendangsono.
At last, you
should not forget to take the spring water which is channeled through the water
faucets at the side of the river. The water is believed to have the power to
bring luck and to heal a person if drunk or used to wash his/her face. The
pilgrims usually carry small jerrycans or bottles to take the water home.
C. Location
The religious
tourism object of Maria Lourdes Sendangsono Grotto lies in the village of
Banjaroyo, Kalibawang District, Kulonprogo Regency, Special Region of
Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
D. Access
Sendangsono is
situated at Menoreh Hills, near to the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java
Province. From downtown Yogyakarta, there are two routes to get to the tourist
destination. The first is through Godean street that goes to Kalibawang area,
Kulonprogo. The other route is through the main road of Yogyakarta-Magelang.
From Yogyakarta, turn left near Muntilan Market. To get to the site, it may
take around 45 minutes from Yogyakarta by motorcycle or car.
If you depart
from Magelang, Purworejo or Semarang, you can take the highway connecting
Salaman and Wates. In Bendo area, you will find a direction board to
Sendangsono.
One thing
important is that the road to Sendangsono is steep, winding, and only 4 meter
wide. Thus tourists’ buses cannot get into the parking area and have to stop at
Bendo. To get to the location, visitors coming by bus can take an ojek
(motorcycle taxi) or rent a car in Bendo.
You can also
reach the place by public transportation from Yogyakarta or Magelang. From
Yogyakarta, take a bus to Wates, stop at Palbapang, Sentolo. From there, you
should change buses with one heading for Magelang and stop at Bendo. You can
also take a Jogja-Nanggulan bus and drop off at Bendo. If you depart from
Magelang, take a bus to Wates, drop off at Bendo and continue the trip by ojek
or on foot.
E. Ticket
To have a
pilgrimage or merely pray in Sendangsono, there is no charge. However, if you
want to give a donation, you can put the money in the box in several spots or
hand it to the custodians for alms.
F.
Accomodations and Facilities
As a place of
pilgrimage often crowded by visitors, Maria Lourdes Sendangsono Grotto has been
equipped with various supporting facilities, from wide parking lot, public
convenience, souvenir kiosks and food stalls, health clinic, security post, to panggung
houses which are available for the visitors to take a rest with permission of
the custodians. In the complex, there are some chapels, the grave of Barnabas
Sarikromo (the first catechumen), and St. Maria Lourdes Promasan Parish. Aside
from being a place of pilgrimage, the grotto often functions as a place for
performing Mass or Eucharist.
Another
facilitiy currently (April, 2010) being constructed is a special route for the
disables and elderlies. Given that Sendangsono unique architecture has so many
staircases, next to the paths are know being made special lanes for wheelchair.
So, people can still perform the Stations of the Christ by sitting on their
wheelchairs.
Elisabeth Murni
(wm/40/03-10)
In-person
Review
Translation by
Reza Daffi (trans/08/04-10)
__________
Source of
Photos: Collection of WisataMelayu.com (Photographer: Elisabeth Murni)
http://www.wisatamelayu.com/en/tour/419-Maria-Lourdes-Sendangsono-Grotto/navgeo
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