The Javanese Land Swordsman
Ngrowo City
The morning sun began to shine in the east of Mount Wilis. Birds chirping accompanied a black car driving by. The cold air turned into a grain of dewy water that perched on the glass.
Passing through the southern slope of Mount Wilis, the car moved eastward to Trenggalek City. Down the mountain, so it does not feel the atmosphere around is crowded.
Until then it looks from far away there is a large gate. An entrance that became a benchmark border between cities. As if greeting, the Archway reads 'Save the WAY'
Wussh...
When his car passed the border, Laras looked back and saw the writing again up there.
'WELCOME TO KAB. TRENGGALEK'
“Our next destination is still quite far, we should find breakfast first,” Wira pay attention around to find a restaurant. Then they pulled over at a simple food stall.
Different from the previous one, this time on the table there was a small board containing a list of food and drinks. In this food stall there is also a waiter who will approach the dining table.
“The food menu is already listed, please order what mas and mbak want!” the waiter came with a note in hand. Then they make a decision.
“I repeat.. Four hens, two avocado juices, and two orange juices.. Is there another order?”
“No, thanks.”
“Alright, please wait a moment.” The waiter walked away.
“Do you know that this Tulungagung region has something to do with Baru Klinting?” Patih Wira opens the conversation.
“I just remembered, it happened when this region was named Ngrowo.. If not wrong about the story of Joko Baru is not it?” bima Sahut.
“Truely..! Reasons that make Tulungagung name.”.
Originally, this area had many water sources available. Water is inundated everywhere on the ground due to uneven land. Especially during the rainy season. Therefore this place is called Ngrowo, which means 'swamp'.
Until one day there was a young man named Joko Baru who came down from Mount Wilis. He went to the terrible water that inundated Ngrowo by clogging the existing water source through the help of a lid from the palm tree.
Actually Joko Baru is a young man who was cursed to be a snake by his father. He could only turn into a human for some time. People around call him New Klinting. His father said that if he wanted to become a real human, Joko Baru should be able to wrap his body in Mount Wilis.
The reason is, there is still less than one inch of the body to circle perfectly. As a result Joko Baru stuck out his tongue. At the same time the father cut off Joko Baru's tongue. Miraculously, the piece of tongue turned into a spear. While Joko Baru himself can not use human form anymore.
Tulungagung, means great help. In Javanese, it also has the meaning of a large water source.
“I don't quite understand, but the story is so amazing,” cheers Fatim.
“So it's the origin of the New Spear Klinting.. I just found out, but Bima..! Why do you know so far? When in Telaga Ngebel alone as if they do not know anything,” said Laras.
“Hehe.. I was totally forgetful back then.”
“Surprising..! How do you know about all that? Does Bima read on the internet?” ask Wira.
“Actually I have a brother in the Tulungagung region, they were the ones who told me,” Bima said with a strange expression.
“What are you-?”
“Sorry waiting...! Four hens are ready,” the waiter who came to distribute food.
“Wooaahh.!”
“It looks good.”
“Awhile I picked up the drink first,” the waiter went away for a moment and came back with four drinks.
“Alright, Welcome!”
The four of them ate their own food. Without the words spoken, they do not feel their food is finished.
Glup... Glup...
“By the way about Tulungagung, I remember the Majapahit Kingdom,” Bima twirled the straws that were in the glass.
“True also yes, this city is adjacent to the center of Majapahit,” said Laras.
“One of the ruins of his relics was here, I mean in Boyolangu.”
“Do you guys want to stop by there?” ask Wira.
“Nothing, I told you we are also on tour.... All right, I'll go pay first,” Wira goes.
“Hey Barrel...! I feel bad,” whispered Bima.
“Makanya..”
....
After parking the vehicle, they walked up to the black stone archway. An entrance to the Gayatri Temple. A few meters they walked through the hallway and saw the ruins.
“Wooaahhh..! What a beautiful relic..! Well. although it has been damaged swallowed time anyway,” Bima holding the rocks of the ruins of the temple. He seemed enthusiastic about all this.
“See..! The head and hands of the statue had been severed,” Fatim pointed at a statue that was covered by a simple roof.
“That's the statue of Goddess Gayatri? The figure of a great woman behind the Majapahit style, Bima's expression” shows that she is very happy here.
“Do you also want to go to another site? If not wrong there are still some temples and a cave in Boyolangu,” Wira pay attention to Bima.
“Of course you want... Eh but, aren't we even going to stay away from our destination?”
“I told you, just enjoy this trip!”
“Ahaha... I'm getting bad.”
The hero only replied with a warm smile. He himself was also happy to see a young man who was interested in history.
They also go to other sites as well. Such as Goa Selomangleng, Candi Cungkup, and Candi Sanggahan. Still, Bima was the most excited when discussing the place.
Starting from the history, etymology, and local culture. He smiled happily when he spoke of it. Bima loves the heritage of ancestors.
Lastly, the place they visited was Candi Dadi. Located in Wajak Kidul Village which is quite strategic because it is in the middle of Tulungagung area.
Again a black gate. This time there is a carving of a white Javanese script on it. Bima stood up and could only stare because she could not read it.
“What is it read?”
“And you like history, but can't read Javanese?” laras.
“Yeahh... I don't really understand literature hehe.”
“Eh.. It's only fitting that you were wrong at that time.”
“Ahaha.. I thought you'd forgotten about that.”
Laras saw the gate and tried to spell the Java script, “Padepokan... Hyangs... Aa.gung Wis.ku.. The lightning? Oala.. Padepokan Hyang Agung Vishnu Lightning.”
“I do not remember when Vishnu was using the lightning element,” muttered Bima.
“Two of you.. Don't just stumble..! Come log in!” said Wira while piggybacking Fatim.
They walked up to a hill. It was past noon. However, it does not feel hot due to the wind that continues to blow.
A board that says Candi Dadi. Not far from there are ruins of ancient stone buildings.
“Wwooaa..! whirlwind.” Bima fell down on the ground.
“Hahaha... What the hell are you doing, Bima!?” The barrel could not help but laugh.
“Ngak.” Bima looked at his feet, but nothing could be humming there.
“Hoy..! Come onl..! Entar left you know.!”
“Iya yes.” As Bima started to move, she saw something fast behind her.
Bima immediately chased after a few steps. Nothing he got there. He just dazed around.
“What's up, Bima!?” shouted Hero.
“No, it's nothing!”
...Just my feelings?