Ganesh as Guardian at Hotel Entrance

Ganesh at Hotel Pandanaran 
Jalan Pandanaran , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

These beautiful black stone Ganesh गणेश I clicked at "Hotel Pandanaran", Jalan (street) Pandanaran , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia , owned by a Lady follower of Islam. She told me that they are like Guardian sitting on both sides of the Hotel Entrance. 

Simpang Lima ( literally translates as Five Intersections) is one of the main attraction of Semarang and Jalan Pandanaran is one of its Five Intersections . Pandanaran street is a landmark for Traditional Semarang Souvenirs and Street Food . In Indonesia it is called Oleh Oleh (Souvenirs).

Sadewa (सहदेव) ...... "Warung Makan" (Street side eating joint)

Warung Makan ( street side eating joint) SADEWA at 
Jalan (street) Prof. Sudarto No. 10 , Tembalang , Central Java Indonesia  

"SADEWA” (Sehdev सहदेव ) is among very popular names in Indonesia. Names after Epic Mahabharat महाभारत  and Ramayan रामायण Characters are considered best among Indonesians and interwoven in their daily walks of LIFE. 

This is the banner of a street side eating joint called in local language " Warung Makan " (in India it is known as " ढाबा " Dhaba). This Warung Makan "Sadewa" (Sehdev सहदेव ) is at “Jalan (street) Prof. Sudarto No. 10 , Tembalang , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia .

Huge Statue of Ganesh ........... at busy Roundabout

Ganeshगणेश at  Jalan (Street) Tentara Pelajar , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

 It's amazing to see Ganeshगणेश at busy Roundabout , Jalan (Street) Tentara Pelajar , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia. I had to be little patient to click this beautifully carved black stone Ganeshगणेश . These pictures I clicked early in the Morning , still witnessing heavy traffic.

Ganeshगणेश at busy Roundabout

As I mentioned in my earlier post , Indonesian version of Ganeshगणेश is unlike Indian version where SKULLS are used as Embellishments . Ganeshगणेश idol is depicted here with skulls ornaments which is a JAVANESE (जवनीस) conception of Ganeshगणेश. This is due to Ganesh's association with Shiv who wears a garland of skulls in his Bhairava (भैरव) Avatar अवतार.

Ganeshगणेश at busy Roundabout

Srikandi ( Shikhandi शिखंडी ) ..... an Epic Character ..all time favorite in Indonesia

Hotel Srikandi at Jalan Wahidin No.195 , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia 

Epic "Mahabarat" महाभारत Characters are very popular in Indonesia and Indonesians feel pride naming after Epic Characters. 

This Hotel too has been named after famous character SHIKHANDI (शिखंडी). At first glance I could not guess its Name. The Picture of this Hotel Srikandi (शिखंडी Shikhandi) I clicked at Jalan (Street) Dr. Wahidin No. 195, Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia.

Mahabarat Characters .............. in Javanese Style

Prabu Kresna in Javanese Style

Pillars are decorated with Epic Characters

Ground Floor is divided in to 4 blocks after the name of Epic Characters

Prabu Kresna (प्रभु कृष्ण Prabhu Krishna) & Arjuna (अर्जुन Arjun) are among favorites in Indonesia from Epic "Mahabharata" महाभारत .These picture I took at Plasa Simpanglima Mall , Jalan Ahmed Yani , Simpang Lima, Semarang, Central Java. Ground Floor of the Mall is divided in Four Blocks - Arjuna (अर्जुन Arjun) , Nakula (नकुल Nakul) , Srikandi (शिखंडी Shikhandi) and Sadewa (सहदेव Sahdev) .All entrances to Elevators and Pillars are decorated with Epic Characters. Characters have been depicted here in distinctive Javanese Style.

“DEWI देवी ” (Devi) ........ symbol of Shakti

At Hotel Novotel , Solo ( Surakarta) , Central Java, Indonesia

“DEWIदेवी” (Devi) is considered the symbol of Shaktiशक्ति in Indonesia too like India. Names starting with “Dewiदेवी “ or ending with “Dewiदेवी” are still considered best names in Indonesian Culture irrespective of Religion. I clicked this picture at Hotel Novotel , Solo ( Surakarta) , Central Java, Indonesia during my stay there. Though hotel staff could not tell the name of “DEWIदेवी “ yet spark in their eye told how much pride they feel on this possession.

Ganeshaगणेश …. A culture in Indonesia

Ganeshगणेश at Alam Indah Hotel , Jalan Setiabudi , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

It is amazing to see Ganeshगणेश every where in Indonesia. I clicked this picture at Semarang (Central Java) Indonesia. It is located outside a Hotel “Alam Indah” , Jalan ( street) Setiabudi No.12, Semarang , Central Java. A beautiful Panoramic site.

Indonesian version of Ganesha is unlike Indian version where SKULLS are used as embellishments and Ganesh idol is depicted here with skulls ornaments which is a JAVANESE (जवनीस) conception . This is due to Ganesh's association with Shiv who wears a garland of skulls in his Bhairava (भैरव) Avatar.

Indonesia As I "see"

Dieng Plateau in Central Java, Indonesia

Indonesia , an Archipelago , comprising approximately 17,508 islands has been fascinating for me during my stay for its unique rich Culture. Indonesians take pride in saying " Islam is our Religion - Ramayana is our Culture ". Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic nation still preserves its Hindu Heritage . Ramayana and Mahabharata is interwoven within Indonesian Culture and visible in daily walks of LIFE. Bahasa Indonesia is mixed with Sanskrit (Ancient Indian Language) . My efforts to present these threads of Indonesia through Indonesia As I " see ".