Actually there are many caves in the Alas Purwo National Park area. Registered around 40 goa. However, only five caves are most frequently visited and known to the wider community. That is the Palace cave, hermitage, Mayangkoro, Mangleng, and Kucur. Apart from its easy-to-reach location, These four caves are believed to have mystical values. Even, former President Soekarno, supposedly, never made this cave a place of meditation.
ALI SODIQIN, Alas Purwo
Compared to other caves, Palace cave is easier to reach. It's located around 67 km from the direction of Banyuwangi City. or around 1,5 km from Pancur. The roads taken are relatively more friendly than other caves.
A cave whose width is not more than 8 meters by length 30 this meter, according to Acting KTU TN Alas Purwo, Dwi Arianto SH, formed due to rising coral due to the Eurasian plate being pushed by the Indo-Australian plate.
“Formerly, This castle cave is in the ocean,” said Dwi. This is evidenced by the many shells and coral rocks found around the cave.
Among the local residents, Palace cave is known as a cave that holds a number of mystical objects and stories. People who come to this cave every day reach 100-300 person. The number increases as the date approaches 1 Suro on the Javanese calendar.
Visitor destinations vary. But, rate-rate, in addition to experiencing blessings so that the goal is achieved, the visitors who come there are also looking for heirlooms such as kris, Ruby, etc.
One of the most sought after heirlooms is the Jalak Tilamsari dagger. Inheritance throughout 30 cm without this indentation, formerly believed to have been made by Master Andajasangkala in 1186 (Java). Dear, until now, no one knows the whereabouts of the keris.
There are mystical stories from people who still believe in the occult. Who is imprisoned in this cave, and in his dream a queen came, then his wish will come true. The prestige of the story increased when Bung Karno was said to often meditate in that cave.
Maybe because of that story, many offices, politician, even the military often come to this place. According to people's stories, last time on 1 Last Suro, a KPK official whose name is very well known, stay overnight in this cave.
Generally, big people who come to this cave hope that the position they hold will last forever or even continue to rise. Prospective politicians also often come to this place before the election.
Every day, The room in the palace cave is filled with the smoke of incense that the hermits burn to complete the ritual. For visitors who have come, the thick plumes of incense smoke that filled the main hallway of the cave were not a strange and creepy sight anymore.
Since it was discovered decades ago, This cave is believed to be a sacred place and the final location for someone who wants to hone and complete 'knowledge'’ what they get during their behavior.
To reach this cave, visitors must pass through a path that divides the bamboo forest as far as 1,5 km from Pancur. For tourists, going to this cave should not be done during the rainy season like now. Because the road is turning very slippery.
Not to mention the clay mixed with rainwater, make the soil more muddy. The number of visitors who come to this location, resulting in a road that is no more than a foot wide like a swamp. The depth is approx. 10-20 cm. Because of that, if you have to come in the rainy season, visitors must be more careful so as not to fall.
In front of the door of the palace cave, around 20 the steps (cement stairs) to pass. Around 20 meters in the southeast of the cave, there is a hut made of bamboo. No roof. The area is approx 2 x 2 m. Looks like it's newly built.
Three people in robes with turbans on their heads, sit quietly watching the visitors. Not a word comes from their lips. Go into the cave, Don't expect to see stalagmites or stalactites like most caves.
The Palace Cave is nothing more than a boulder. Low lime content, make the number of sources of water that drips from the cave ceiling is not enough to make stalagmites and stalactites.
When this newspaper enters the inside of the cave, it turns out that there are already three hermits. Someone is seen meditating at the end of the cave facing the wall. His mouth is muttering. I don't know what he read. Behind it there is a lamp (a bottle filled with kerosene with a wick at the end).
On the left, a hermit sleeps only on peas (former rice holder, like a burlap necklace but made of plastic). The crew of this newspaper that came was pretty noisy, completely ignored. Apparently he was really twisted in his sleep.
Beside the entrance, a hermit sitting watching. The homemade cigar was tightly squeezed between his left middle and index fingers. Occasional puffing smoke from his lips. “From where, But?” suddenly the hermit asked us.
The man who meditated at the door of the cave was apparently different from his colleagues. He wants to interact with visitors. Dear, the man who claimed to be from Semarang did not want to mention his name. “Actually there are four people in this cave. But the other person is imprisoned in that small cave,” said the man.
He pointed a small hole towards the front. After we noticed, turns out there are no holes at all. Whether it's because our eyes can't see, or because that person is pointing the wrong one.
When asked, what is the purpose of coming to this palace cave, the long-haired man doesn't want to explain for sure. Clear, he said, he is in the cave this palace is not limited by time. “The main thing is, if you can, Yes, I'm going home,” he said.
For food needs during this ritual, he took it from the bamboo forest that grows a lot around the cave. “There are also those who go down to the village once a week. They collect groceries. After collecting, just back again,” he said.
This person has been in the Palace cave for more than three years. During that time, many people have come and gone. Rat-rate, after what they want comes true, immediately they go.
Some also come in certain months. Especially close to the month of Suro or Muharram. Those who came that month were dominated by officials, politician, military circles, and entrepreneurs.
Not like an office, their arrival is often secretive. Even, in terms of clothing, often times they imitate the way most people dress. Only Alas Purwo National Park officers know of their whereabouts. Why no one intends to inform the media? “Wow, it's their privacy, But. We dare not. Definite, many great people come here,” said an officer of Alas Purwo National Park.
Not only local Banyuwangi officials, officials from various big cities in Indonesia, even palace officials and Senayan politicians often came to Alas Purwo.(radar)
