Many archaeologist doing a research about this archeological heritage. First research noted was in 1815 and published in a book "History of Java" on 1817 by Wardenaar.
Through many research, its believed that Trowulan is the heart of Majapahit. That's why many researcher doing an excavation in Trowulan-Mojokerto area and they found many temple, statue, and former civilization. Too bad, some of the excavation was stopped due to the restoration cost.
Today, Buddhist will held a Vesak Festival and pray together at Brahu Temple. I'm not wasting this opportunity and hit the road to Trowulan-Mojokerto from Surabaya. It takes about 2 hours and we arrive at a Bejijong village. There are so many temple and excavation site around this village so we decided to visit the Trowulan Museum first. Too bad this museum is closed during a holiday (I think they really need to open the museum because tourist will come in a holiday!)
Click here if you need a cheap and nice hotel in Surabaya.With a raw map we have from internet and a little suggestion from the museum security, we are trying to exploring the area nearby before attending the Buddhist festival at Brahu Temple.
We need to prepare some money,its all up to you ( small change around Rp 5.000-Rp 10.000,-) and give it to the security in the entry gate then we fill the guest book.1. Kedaton Temple
This site restoration haven't finish yet and still remain as a mystery. The archeolog haven't find the form of this site. The legend said in this area also has a poisoned well and also underground maze that connect to the royal family of Majapahit Empire's place, to escape from enemy, or something like that. That's why they spread a rumour that the well is poisoned so no one wants to go near the well.
It's great to seen this past legacy and be on it!
2. Bajang Ratu gate
It's an elegant gate to a place where the archaeologist believe this gate actually was a backdoor but then used as an entry gate to a sacred place to commemorate the death of Majapahit king Jayanegara.
3. Mouse Temple
Not far from Bajang Ratu we can find Mouse Temple, yes local people named it "tikus" /mouse because it was a mouse's nest when its found. The archaeologist do a full restoration in 1984 to 1985 and still they can't find any detail about the function of this temple or who built it. They estimate this "Candi Tikus" was built around 13 century. And from the form of this temple that similar to Mahameru Mountain in India, some of the archaeologist believe its a place where the royal family of Majapahit take a bath and the water coming from this wellspring is sacred and bring prosperous, healthy and people ageless.
4. The Sleeping Budha Statue
He's not actually sleep, his position is a sign that he already reach heaven. This statue stay at the 3rd place for the biggest sleeping Budha in Asia after Thailand and Nepal. Its length is 22 meters, width 6 meters, and height 4.5meters. Its build inside the Maha Vihara Majapahit monastery. And today many tourist and Buddhist people come to this place to celebrate Vesak Day (celebrate in a full moon). The committee of this festival has prepare many attraction such as Barongsay(chinese lion dance), reog, Indonesian traditional dance and many more. Then, they will walk for about 1 km from the monastery to the Brahu Temple.
5. Brahu Temple
This Buddhist temple was the biggest temple in this area. Based on Mpu Sendok inscription, its said that Brahu Temple was a sacred crematorium for the king of Majapahit : Brawijaya I,II,III,IV. In this place the Buddhist do a meditation and pray for the Vesak ritual.
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| Mystichal appearance The raindrops stop and full moon suddenly appears after Buddhist people pray and meditate |
