Volcano gods honored in Java
The main festival of the Tenggerese people, Yadnya Kasada, lasts about a month. On the 14th day, the Tenggerese journey to Mount Bromo to throw rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers and livestock into the volcano as offerings to the mountain gods.
The festival began in the 15th century when a princess named Roro Anteng started the principality of Tengger with her husband, Joko Seger. The childless couple asked the mountain gods for help in bearing children and, according to the legend, the gods granted them 24 children on the provision that the 25th must be tossed into the volcano as a sacrifice.
The 25th child, Kesuma, was finally sacrificed in this way and the tradition of throwing sacrifices into the volcano to appease the mountain gods continues today.