Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong (Buddhagaya Watugong Temple)

Attractions Bodhgaya temple is located on the highway Pudakpayung Watugong, Semarang. If from downtown Semarang this tour takes place during the 45-minute trip by using a motor vehicle or car, to Ungaran. So why is called Watugong? Because in this area found a stone that resembles a gong. So named Watugong.

Attractions Bodhgaya temple has the famous icon, the pagoda Avalokitesvara or pagoda Metakaruna which means love and affection. The purpose of the establishment of this pagoda is in honor of the goddess Kwan Im Sie PO Sat believed by the religious community as a Buddhist goddess of compassion. Pagoda Avalokitesvara altitude of about 45 meters and consists of 7 levels. The 7 levels that narrows upwards interpreted as a sanctity that would be achieved by an ascetic after reaching the 7th floor Pagoda Avalokitesvara synonymous with yellow and red, which is typical of Chinese buildings.

Inside the pagoda there is a statue of the goddess Kwan Im measuring 5.1 meters and a statue of Commander We Do side. Furthermore, at a rate of 2 to 6, a statue of the Goddess Kwan Im facing the four directions of the wind direction. That is, namely that Dewi Kwan Im can radiate compassion towards the anguin eye. At the top of the pagoda, there is a Buddhist stupa for pearls. But unfortunately, to get to the top of this pagoda, can not because no stairs. Other buildings which are in attraction Vihara Vihara Buddhagaya is Dhammasala. Dhammasala monastery building has two floors, the multi-purpose hall and space dhammasala. Dhammasala is a Buddhist worship.

So that you can enter into the temple dhammasala, then you must perform the ritual stomping relief chickens, snakes and pigs were front door of the monastery. Relief chicken keserakaan defined symbols, meaning snake emblem of hatred, whereas pigs means laziness. With you step on the animal relief, you are expected to leave these characters. As for the material used to build a temple Buddhagaya imported directly from China, such as tile, stone reliefs that there ditangga, lights dragon, swimming dragon, dragon fountains, statues kilin and phoenix. Currently the monastery building Buddhagaya be under the guidance of Theravada Buddhism, which is an organization kebhiksuan guided by the scriptures Tripitaka pali.

Candi Gedong Songo (Gedong Songo Temple)

Candi Gedong Songo is one proof of the triumph of Hinduism in Indonesia. The temple that stands firmly at the foot of Mount Ungaran this is just one of the many historic buildings in Indonesia. Candi Gedong Songo is a Hindu temple located administratively entered Semarang regencies. This temple became one of the religious tourism at the same time very fun nature around Ungaran and Salatiga.

Gedong Songo location at the foot of the mountain makes the weather around the temple was very cool, so do not be surprised if the temple is always crowded with tourists who want to enjoy the atmosphere of the mountains, looking at the historic buildings in the temple complex.

Gedong Songo temple complex is quite extensive because around there are nine temples are located apart from each other. The distance from one temple to another temple is about 100 meters. Of the nine temples in the complex Gedong Songo, only 5 are still relatively intact. The rest is just ruins it. We can explore each temple by foot because the location is not too far away. However, if you do not like walking, there is another option that the horse services.

The number of temples in Gedong Songo temple complex itself is the basis of name "Gedong Songo". In the Java language "Songo" means nine. While gedong a home or large building. So literally the meaning of "Gedong Songo" is the home of nine. Tatak layout and shape of Gedong Songo is similar to temples in Dieng. Candi Gedong Songo found by Stamford Raffles in 1804. The restoration of the temple was first conducted in 1928-1929 at Gedong I and in 1930-1931 at Gedong II.

A side from being a religious tourism, Gedong Songo is also very suitable for nature because mountain atmosphere so pronounced. If the weather is clear and not shrouded in fog, from Area this temple we could see the mountain Sindoro, Cleft, Merapi and Merbabu. In this temple complex there are also a source of hot water. It lies on the line between Gedong III and IV. There is an interesting story about this hot springs. That said, this place was once the residence Nyai Gayatri. Kartikeyasinga the wife of the king of Kalinga years 648-674 AD While still alive Nyai Gayatri often treat many people. Until after the death his ghost believed to inhabit this hot springs. So that the hot springs are believed to cure various diseases.

The atmosphere around the temple as a whole is very pleasant indeed. The surroundings were filled with green grass and pine forests and beautiful scenery typical of the mountains is a special dish in Gedong Songo temple complex. Gedong Songo is located approximately 15 km from the district ambarawa

Kuli Sam Poo Kong ( Sam Poo Kong temple)

Sam Poo Kong temple or pagoda can be called the Gedong Batu. When viewing this pagoda gate, above its gate there were two tailed dragon statue. Perhaps the standard pagoda is like that. This pagoda is dominated by red and yellow gold, the hallmark of a culture of china.

Sam Poo Kong is located in the area Gedong Batu Simongan, namely Jl. Simongan Raya Semarang. Southwest city of Semarang. From the city can ride public transportation, motorcycles, private car or taxi. Sam Poo Kong temple complex has two parts, the outer part (main plaza) and the inside (the area of ​​worship). Most tourists only get on the outside only. On the outside there are many statues and buildings to take pictures.

One of the statues that are on the outside is the statue of Admiral Cheng Ho. Sam Poo Kong temple is a former haven (ruins) Admiral Cheng Ho. This I know when viewed in the temple there is a statue of Admiral Cheng Ho / Admiral Zheng He 10,7m tall. He is a Muslim seaman. In East Java there benama Masjid Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque. The mosque has an architecture Tiong Hoa acculturation between culture and nuances of Islam. Perhaps because it, too, so there is a mosque in the temple complex.

In addition to the statue of Admiral Cheng Hoo, on the outside there is also a statue of a lion, statues guard cheng Ho and a souvenir shop. This is called the Lion lion sculpture Kilin. As the pagoda in general, there is always a lion kilin pair. Male and female. In this souvenir shop in addition to selling various souvenirs also sells paper and incense as well as renting out the customary fashion of China. If you want to feel the sensation of china then could rent the customary fashion and photographs in the temple area. Feeling in the bamboo curtain.

The area inside the main building of this temple. This section is entered by the many visitors who want to pray or ciamsi. Ciamsi ritual is a ritual to predict the fate of a person performed by a biokong. Here consists of several buildings, including the Shrine God of Earth, Kyai Juru Mudi Temple and Sam Poo Kong temple is the best course Sam Poo Kong temple building. This pagoda pagoda most larger than the other. The roof is comprised of three layers (sam poo kong pagoda image - below). While others only 2 layers (picture pagoda god of the earth - above). Because sam poo kong pagoda is the center or main place of worship places that are here.

In the inside / worship area, many of which can be explored. Just unfortunately I do not have a picture. So not much that can be written. If you go to this temple, not to not enter into the inside. Due to many historical and cultural values ​​are very interesting.

Lawang Sewu (a thousand doors)

Lawang Sewu in Javanese means a thousand doors, is a historic building located in the city of Semarang. The building is located at the roundabout Tugu Muda Semarang formerly the Nederlands-Indische office Spoorweg Maatshappij (Railway Company at that time). 

Built in 1904 and finished three years later, the building was named Wihelminaplein. The term itself is growing in Lawang Sewu Semarang society because this building has a lot of doors, although the actual number less than a thousand doors. The windows were high and the width is often regarded as the door, so as if this building has doors that lined up in a row. 

After independence, the building had become the headquarters of the Department of Railways Indonesia is the forerunner PT. Kereta Api Indonesia that we know today. Lawang Sewu mace now designated as a historic cultural heritage objects included in 102 ancient buildings in the city of Semarang that must be protected. 

Now, Lawang Sewu become one of the icons of very exotic Semarang . The scenery and atmosphere of the past of his highly favored by lovers of photography for hunting images. Typical atmosphere and its ancient architecture is one of the interesting side of the towing sewu mace. 

On the inside of the building Lawang Sewu has a relatively small space and less sirkulais air so stifling and low light. The atmosphere is stuffy as these often give rise to beliefs and mystical stories in the community and visitors. Lawang Sewu itself actually consists of 3 buildings with each having a liaison between one building to another.

Gereja Blendug (Blendug Church)

Church Blendug one of the oldest churches in the city of Semarang and became several hundred collection of buildings old buildings are quite well preserved until now , other than a place of worship of the church is also a treat tourist attraction that became a favorite destination for residents of Semarang , not least for tourists outside the city and foreigners when they visit.

Historically the process of establishment of the church began in 1753 , there was no record of exactly who designed the plan early this building , on a journey Blendug Church has undergone several processes of restoration in 1894 , the building structure beginning seemed to change drastically which add a pair of high rise tower as well as on terraces built four pillars .

So many old buildings Remains of buildings in the city of Semarang , the attractions of the old town has become a tourist destination of most tourists who come , or simply reminisce as the instigators of the old city travel is a theme that fits when you visit the city of Semarang.

Many people who make the background of the church Blendug as part of their nostalgia, just take pictures immortalize every frame of the camera lens even made a part of this church as a pre-wedding photo.

Exhausted, tourists can take a rest and try to find a variety of restaurants offering tastes of different tongues, around the church can be found restaurant dining by offering reasonable prices and of course dish spoil your tongue.

If you want to visit the church benduk hour visit came at 8:00 am to 4:00 pm after that tourists can not enjoy the interior of the building, which is a pity if not enshrined