Puri Taman Saraswati . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (literal meaning) Saraswati Temple (Puri) Park (Taman)

Goddess Saraswati at Puri Taman Saraswati 

A Stone depicting Temple details

Puri Saraswati Park is located in the Candi Cetho complex , Gumeng Village, District Jenawi, Karanganyar, Solo , Central Java , Indonesia on the slopes of Mount Lawu at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level . The place is picturesque, surrounded by cluster of lush green Pine Trees.. Climate is chilly , soothing , refreshing , invigorating and quiet … some times foggy .. rainy ..complementing to all your Senses .

Steps to the Shrine

Front view  of  Goddess Saraswati Shrine 

Puri Taman Saraswati  amidst Pine Trees

Puri Saraswati is not only a cultural attraction but also a place to worship Hindu Goddess Saraswati. As per guide devotees gather at Puri Saraswati Park to celebrate Saraswati Day and perform ritual worship of Knowledge .” Hari Raya Saraswati “ is a Hindu Holiday in Indonesia to worship Godess Saraswati. Devotees keep away themselves from reading and writing to celebrate this day and make offerings to the Palm-leaf Manuscripts (Lontar), books and shrines (Temples). Hari Raya Saraswati is celebrated every 210-days on "Saniscara Umanis Wuku Watugunung"and marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Balinese calendar (Pawukon). Ceremonies , offerings and prayers are held at the Temples, in family compounds, villages and businesses from Morning till Noon. Prayers are also held in schools and any other such Educational Institutions.

Goddess Saraswati on a Lotus Flower supported by Her  Vahana (Vehicle) two Hamsa   (Swans)  

Magnificent view of the Shrine

As per Hindu Religion , Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge and Arts .The statue of Goddess Saraswati is magnificent with four arms standing on a Lotus flower. The Lotus petals are supported by two Hamsa ( Swans) who are believed to be sacred Vahana (Vehicle) of the Goddess. Goddess is depicted here playing Sitar (Indian classical Musical Instrument). Gold color embellishments are enhancing grace of the Goddess.

Sendang Pundi Sari

 Stone at the bottom of the Pond as a symbol of "Femininity".  Like Indian ritual Flower petals and Coins are offered by devotees

Natural Spring Water Pond under a Huge Tree

Her shrines are usually located near water and on the left side of Puri Saraswati Park, there is "Sendang Pundi Sari" (Natural Water Spring pond ) under a huge Tree .The Spring Water of the Pond is crystal clear and chilled . One can notice a Stone at the bottom of the Spring Pond as a symbol of " Femininity " . Sendang Pundi Sari functions as a place for self-purifying and cleaning.

Puri Saraswati stands in the center whereas Kethek Temple is left side

Puri Saraswati Park is located in the" Candi Cetho " village complex. Location of Puri Saraswati stands in the center while at right side Cetho Temple and left side Kethek Temple is located. The area is marked with proper sign boards which is easily accessible by the tourists . Travellers have to pay entry ticket .

.... Guardian Ganesh ( गणेश ) at Kuta Bali , Indonesia........

Green Ganesh at Sidoi Hotel , Kuta , Bali , Indonesia 

Beautiful Ganesh I clicked at  Sidoi Hotel ,Jalan Benesari , Kuta , Bali , Indonesia . Gold color embellishments and green color which Nature has offered adds a spectacular view of Ganesh . 

The platform where Ganesh is sitting is covered with a Yellow piece of cloth as practiced in Balinese Hindu ritual worshiping. 

Two side pots contain water and Lotus flowers . Water Element and Lotus Flowers are Symbolic of Purity and considered  Sacred . One front big pot has Kalamakra face with Green Grass. 

Offerings ( Balinese way) made to Ganesh can be seen placed on the front Pot grass. 

The Indonesian version of Ganesh is unlike Indian version where SKULLS are used as embellishments and Ganesh idol is depicted here with gold color skull ornament on the forehead.

This old Ganesh Statue has Inscription on FRONT and BACK in Balinese giving the History of the same.

Kalamakra Face carved big stone Pot with Green Grass as Offering

Front of the Ganesh Statue with Inscription in the Balinese Language

Two Pots on the side of Ganesh Statue with Water and Lotus Flower Symbolic of Purity and Prosperity 

Canang Sari , daily Balinese Offering to God

Back of the Ganesh Statue with Inscription in the Balinese Language

Ornate back of Ganesh Statue on inscribed pillar

Beautiful antique Wooden Mural art on the entrance of SI DOI Hotel

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.