Mount Bromo is located in the eastern part of the Indonesian island of Java.
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It is the youngest of several volcanoes in Tengger massif and the most active volcano in Java. When it erupts, by the way, what is happening right now, it disgorges into the atmosphere a pillar of smoke with an admixture of sulfur. During the eruption a visit to the volcano Mount Bromo is forbidden, but at any other time the peak of 2,300 meters is a popular tourist destination. It offers magnificent views of the surrounding wildlife and magic sunsets.
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Mount Bromo is located in the heart of a broad sandy valley, which is called "Sand Sea". This area also is home to approximately 90 000 indigenous people Tengger - Hindu ethnic minority in predominantly Muslim Indonesian archipelago. Every year, regardless of the activity of the volcano, hundreds of people from nearby villages have a journey to the top. Even if the volcano spewing lava and acrid smoke, they bring to it their offerings by throwing them into the mouth of the Bromo Volcano. In addition to fruits, rice and vegetables, they sacrifice goats, chickens, and even cows, throwing them alive into the nozzle. This is made during the annual festival Yadnya Kasada, which lasts about a month.
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Yadnya Kasada festival is organized by Hindu temple Pura Luhur Poten, which is located in the heart of Sand Sea. On the 14th day of the festival locals come to church for a blessing. Then the crowd follows along the mountain range to the crater, where despite the great danger, some of them are trying to climb inside and leave their gifts to the gods. They believe that in this way the gods grant them good luck.
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Tengger people are descendants of the once mighty Majapahit kingdom, ruled by Indonesia and the biggest part of Southeast Asia from the 13th century until 1500, when the Islamic invaders appeared here. At sunset the Majapahit Empire many fled to the mountains and found refuge there. Among the refugees was the daughter of the King of Majapahit with her husband.
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They wanted to have children very much, but could not conceive a first child. With prayers for help, they went to the crater of the volcano and asked the gods for the children. The God promised them many children on the condition that the youngest of them will be sacrificed and thrown into the crater of a volcano. In order to avoid the fulfillment of this promise, the pair went on to give birth to children born until the 25th kid, which they had to sacrifice.