Volcano gods honored in Java

Snepi, with his son, Doni, stand at the foot of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in East Java, Indonesia, July 24, 2013.

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.

A view of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, showing Mount Bromo, Mount Semeru and Mount Batok - the location of the Tenggerese villages where the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada Festival is held - in the background, July 23, 2013.

Sri Harminah, 40, a Tenggerese worshipper cries while praying to ancestors during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at the crater of Mount Bromo, July 23, 2013.

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.

Villagers use nets and sarongs to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

A Tenggerese shaman prays during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at the crater of Mount Bromo, July 24, 2013.

Doni, holds a chicken thrown by Hindu worshippers at the foot of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

Villagers use nets and sarongs to catch offerings thrown by worshippers into the crater of Mount Bromo, July 24, 2013.

Tenggerese women worshippers pose during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 23, 2013.

Mistingal, stands in the hills of Probolinggo, Indonesia with Mount Bromo visible in the background, July 23, 2013.

Tenggerese worshippers trek across the "Sea of Sand" to give their offerings to Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

Sisindrawati, 45, a Tenggerese worshipper poses for a photograph as he walks across Mount Bromo's "Sea of Sand'" carrying offerings, July 23, 2013.

Tenggerese shamans pray at the temple during the Yadnya Kasada Festival at the crater of Mount Bromo, July 24, 2013.

A villager attempts to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo, July 23, 2013.

A view of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

Tenggerese shamans prays at the temple during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

Villagers wait to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo, July 24, 2013.

Villagers stand at the foot of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

A Tenggerese shaman prays for a worshipper at the foot of Mount Bromo, July 24, 2013.

Villagers wait to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo, July 24, 2013.

A Tenggerese worshipper carries an offering during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

Villagers waits to catch offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival, July 24, 2013.

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