The Majapahit Empire, who ruled between the 13th and 16th centuries, is one of the most important predecessors of the modern Republic of Indonesia. One of its founders, Gajah Mada, is famous for the oath Palapa not taste the joy of all the spices until all Nusantara is united. And of course, Majapahit to its greatest spanned the current Pattani, Thailand, the head of the New Guinea-Bird uniting hundreds of nations in a political-economic power adorned with a culture of technological finesse and artistic.
I always thought that the location of the capital of Majapahit was a mystery, and was surprised to learn that Trowulan now-a-Mojokerto district is actually a bit more than an hour drive south of Surabaya. That said, no one today knows exactly where the palace was. Most people who visit Trowulan try to guess its location by visiting the historic sites that reflect signs of royal grandeur of the period.
In fact, much of what is currently known about Majapahit remains unclear, with little physical evidence of its existence throughout its former territories outside Java. And yet Trowulan always attracts the attention of archaeologists and historians from all over the world, most who learn about Majapahit in former consultant narrative poems such as nagarakretagama and Pararaton . But driving in the main street of Trowulan, and you will find to your left and right passages in ancient sites terracotta colored earth that witnessed the history of the flourishing empire réalisés centuries ago.
Candi Brahu
discovery Trowulan is credited to Sir Stamford Raffles, who served as Governor General of Java to the British East India Company. In 1815, Raffles surveyed teak forests and densely forested and unearthed many sites whose origins are traceable to the time long forgotten Majapahit. Much of what is now Trowulan was then buried under sedimentation of the Brantas River and volcanic activity of Mount Kelud.
My first stop was the Majapahit Museum. It is located next to the Kolam Segaran, one meter wide pool 375 x 175 terracotta on the road. Legend has it that after the royal banquet in the palace, covered with gold spilled into Segaran to take stock of the wealth of the empire
Majapahit Museum was established in 1924 as the Union of Majapahit archaeologists (Dutch: LMOs). By RAA Kromojoyo Adinegoro then-Regent Mojokerto and Dutch architect Henricus Maclaine Pont. The current museum was opened in 1987 as a single place to store and display archaeological objects found around Trowulan, and to prevent these products from being damaged or stolen.
The museum has a fascinating collection of earthenware, such as banks, human figurines, and kitchen utensils. Many of the objects, such as children figurines with foreign facial features suggest that international trade was an important part of the economy and of the Majapahit culture.
There are also many prasastis (stone monuments with written historical or ancient poetry), statues of complex stone Hindu gods, and of metalwork such as musical instruments, weapons and equipment for religious rituals. They suggest that Majapahit was ruled by the upper classes who placed great importance in the arts, spirituality and romanticizing collective memory of society.
The exhibition space of the al fresco provides a nice walk-through visual guidance explaining the different eras of Majapahit and the importance of exhibitions.
Candi Tikus
My next stop was Candi Tikus, a public royal ritual bath earthenware dating from the 13th or 14th century. In 1914, local farmers were fighting the infestation of rice field rats and rise to a huge mound of earth that served as a nest of rats. Regent Adinegoro then commanded an excavation of the mound and found the establishment of ancient baths, which has since earned its name :. Temple of Rats
There are still many myths associated with Candi Tikus. local urban legend says that one of the struggling farmers in 1914 received a revelation in his dream to draw water from Candi Tikus and pour it on the four corners of his rice field. The following day the rats that infested his rice field miraculously disappeared and the ground became fertile. Later, a wealthy merchant heard of this miracle and greedily conspired to increase his wealth. He then stole bricks from Candi to the place on his property, and the rats came and gnawed his wealth.
According to the Dutch archaeologist Bernet Kempers, Candi Tikus was modeled after Mount Mahameru in India, Hindus and Buddhists believed to be the abode of the gods and the holy water source and all life on earth. The architecture features the geometric beauty. The complex was renovated in 1985 and is now surrounded by landscaped gardens featuring Surya Majapahit royal emblem.
As a work of engineering, Candi Tikus is believed to have been the flow of water regulator of the capital, the distribution of water from 18 large dams in Mojokerto. As a work of religious art, Candi Tikus served as a meeting point between the Hindu faithful to their source of life, and a place for kings and queens of religious ceremonies meeting.
Bajang Ratu
My last stop for the day Trowulan was Gapura Bajang Ratu, a royal door shaped 14th century claw. Standing 16.5 meters tall, thin doors are decorated with terracotta reliefs complex that make you wonder what great art of simple technology at the time could achieve.
The outdoor complex in which the Gapura is was supposedly the entrance of Majapahit palace. Some people suggest that the main building of the palace have been the Pendopo Agung Trowulan, but residents say the exact location remains riddled with mystery.
The lush gardens that surround the complex, you can find maja (Aegle marmelos, L.), a citrus tree whose bitter fruit is the origin of the name of Majapahit
There are many other places of interest I would have liked to visit Trowulan :. Kedaton, Brahu Candi, Candi Gentong, Kubur Panjang, Candi Menak Jinggo and Makam Puteri Champa. But it seems that one day is not enough to explore the splendor of the ancient capital of Majapahit. Meanwhile, I'm bringing home memories of terracotta reliefs baking under the hot sun of the East Javanese when I think Trowulan streets.
Majapahit Museum
Jl. Pendopo Agung (face Kolam Segaran)
Kecamatan Trowulan
Kabupaten Mojokerto
Tel / Fax: (0321) 495515
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Price for entry Rp2,500
Candi Tikus
Dukuh Dinuk
Desa Temon
Kecamatan Trowulan
Kabupaten Mojokerto
Gapura Bajang Ratu
Dukuh Kraton
Desa Temon
Kecamatan Trowulan
Kabupaten Mojokerto
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