Dieng Plateau, Myth Between a Dense Mist

Far in the north west from the center of dense civilization in Yogyakarta, and out of Dutch colonization in the north of Central Java, surround by a mystery, always covered by dense mist it lies an abode of the Godness, secret, outlying and always be place where we can runaway from the reality.

Nowadays, when civilization contact with this place’s edge, people come and made this area become populous, especially in Wonosobo, the nearest town before we reach Dieng if we take trip from the south side, the most popular way to go to dieng, this place still can be a sanctuary to escaping people from daily life, still stunning and place to get some relax.

The Plateau is the location eight small Hindu temples, about one hour from Wonosobo town. Built around 750 CE, they are the oldest known standing stone structures in Java. They are originally thought to have numbered 400 but nowadays only eight remain.

Dieng Tourist Spot Map (courtesy of http://www.ndahsaja.com)

After one hour ride motorcycle from Wonosobo, or take small public bus through amazing panorama surround, we will reach Watu Kelir gate, the first gate welcomed us, sign if we already reach Dieng. It lies about 116 kilometers from Yogyakarta. Simply to reach this area by public bus from Yogyakarta, Semarang or Magelang then ride small bus to go to Wonosobo and change bus to Dieng Plateau.

Welcome to Dieng

The altitude location almost 2,093 m above sea level, its poisonous effusions and sulphur-coloured lakes make it a particularly auspicious place for religious tribute. The temples are small shrines built as monuments to the god-ancestors and dedicated to Shiva. The Hindu shrines are miniature cosmic mountains based on plans in Indian religious texts, although the design motifs have little connection to India. The earliest architectural usage of the Javanese demonic masks and marine monsters are exhibited along the niches and doorways of the remaining structures^. The Dieng structures were small and relatively plain, but stone architecture developed substantially in only a matter of decades resulting in masterpieces such as the Prambanan complex and Borobudur.

a masterpiece temple complex, named Candi Arjuna (Arjuna Temple) is lies in the center of the plateau. It started build at ninth century and now is being the greatest spot in Dieng.

Arjuna Temple

I also visited the ‘kawah’ (means caldera or crater). There are several kawah in the dieng plateau. Some of them are harmful because they produce poisonous gas whose sometimes make people died. Some small pond and lake worth to visited spread surround the Arjuna as the center of plateau.

pond that i forgot the name

a foggy day

Sileri Crater

me from back

Dieng is also famous for its sunrise. From the top of the hills, we will find the perfect sunrise to take. Just wear a huge jacket and gloves to face the 5-10 degrees celcius temperatur and it will comfort to take photos in the summer morning in Dieng Plateau.