Javan festival pays tribute to volcano
Smoke rises from Mount Bromo, in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Parkin Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia.
The Tenggerese villages celebrate the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada Festival over the course of a month. On the festival's fourteenth day, the Tenggerese make the journey to Mount Bromo to make offerings of rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers and livestock to the mountain gods by throwing them into the volcano's caldera.
The origin of the festival lies in the 15th century when a princess named Roro Anteng started the principality of Tengger with her husband Joko Seger, and the childless couple asked the mountain Gods for help in bearing children. The legend says the Gods granted them 24 children but on the provision that the 25th must be tossed into the volcano in sacrifice. The 25th child, Kesuma, was finally sacrificed in this way after initial refusal, and the tradition of throwing sacrifices into the caldera to appease the mountain Gods continues today.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers trek across the 'Sea of Sand' with a goat for an offering during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
A bird thrown by Hindu worshippers flies over the crater of mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Eleven-year-old Feri holds a net as he waits to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers into the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Villagers use nets to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at crater of Mount Bromo, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers gather at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
A Tenggerese worshipper stands at Mount Bromo's 'Sea of Sand' during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, Aug. 12, 2014 in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.
Offerings to the volcano
A Tenggerese worshipper walks across Mount Bromo's 'Sea of Sand' carrying offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers trek across the 'Sea of Sand' to give their offerings to Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at crater of Mount Bromo, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
A Tengger tribesman hold a goat before throwing it into the crater as an offering at Mount Bromo during the annual Kasada ceremony in East Java, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers carry vegetables as offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at crater of Mount Bromo, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers prepare at Poten temple before going to Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers gather around a fire at Poten temple during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, Aug. 12, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Mist covers the mountains in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers collect holy water at Widodaren cave during the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival, Aug. 11, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
A Tenggerese shaman prays with worshippers at Widodaren cave during the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia, Aug. 11, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Sunlight streams though the trees in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, the location of the Tenggerese villages where the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada Festival is held on August 11, 2014 in Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia.
Offerings to the volcano
Tenggerese worshippers are seen inside the Widodaren cave as they collect holy water and pray during the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival, Aug. 11, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
A Tenggerese woman washes her face with holy water at Widodaren cave during the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival, Aug. 11, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
A Tenggerese shaman prays for an worshipper as they collect holy water at Widodaren cave during the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada, Aug. 11, 2014.
Offerings to the volcano
Hot vapors rise from Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia.