Sejarah Taman Air Goa Sunyaragi | PART 1

Summary

Gua Sunyaragi, located in Cirebon, Indonesia, is a historical site originally built as a royal playground for the Cirebon Sultanate’s family. Constructed from coral stone, it blends Islamic practices with local traditions, featuring water as a cooling and ablution system. The site is designed for spiritual retreat, with symbolic caves like Langse Langsa and Peteng, representing boundaries between the physical and spiritual. The Prawan Sunthi statue, a significant cultural artifact, adds to the site's mystique, with local myths surrounding it. Gua Sunyaragi remains a testament to the region's cultural, religious, and artistic legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gua Sunyaragi, located in Cirebon, was initially built as a replacement for the original Kaputren Park of the Cirebon Sultanate, which was later transformed into the tomb of Sunan Gunungjati.
• 😀 The primary material used in constructing Gua Sunyaragi is coral stone, which constitutes about 70% of the structure.
• 😀 Gua Sunyaragi was designed by Raden Sepat, a Mataram descent architect, and is part of a place known as 'Taman Kaputren Panyumping Raga,' a recreational area for the Sultanate's children.
• 😀 The water system in Gua Sunyaragi serves multiple functions, including providing air conditioning, safety, and water for ablution in Islamic practices.
• 😀 The cave's structure includes corridors that face east to align with Islamic practices of i'tikaf and the significance of the direction in welcoming the sun and life.
• 😀 The construction material, coral rocks, was sourced from the southern coastal area, and it is known for its hard, Taqwa Dash or Cadas properties.
• 😀 The unique batik motifs, such as the Wadasan Laborty motif, were created by Panembahan Losari, the great-grandson of Sunan Gunungjati, and the more famous Megamendung motif symbolizes high aspirations.
• 😀 The cave's interior is divided into areas with symbolic meanings, such as Langse Langsa Cave (the curtain) and Peteng Cave (the dark), reflecting deeper spiritual and philosophical insights.
• 😀 The Mande Beling area, featuring shiny white marble, is a place of reflection and guidance, symbolizing clarity and peace of mind according to Islam.
• 😀 A statue, Prawan Sunthi, believed to be from 1604, stands as one of the oldest in Cirebon, with a local myth forbidding virgins from touching it to avoid the belief in polytheism.

Q & A

What is the main material used in the construction of Gua Sunyaragi?

The main material used in the construction of Gua Sunyaragi is almost 70% coral stone.

Why was Gua Sunyaragi built, and what was its original purpose?

Gua Sunyaragi was built as a replacement for the Kaputren Park of the Cirebon Sultanate after the main park, Nugini Saptarengga, was converted into a tomb site for Sunan Gunungjati. Its original purpose was to provide a playground for the royal family’s children.

What was the original name of Gua Sunyaragi, and what does it mean?

The original name of Gua Sunyaragi was 'Taman Kaputren Panyumping Raga,' which means a royal playground for children, where 'Kaputren' refers to a place for royal daughters, and 'Panyumping Raga' is a local term signifying a place for self-purification or spiritual alignment.

What is the significance of the direction in which the corridors of Gua Sunyaragi are built?

The corridors of Gua Sunyaragi face east to west. This is significant in Islamic practice, as facing east is believed to symbolize welcoming life and the sun, and it also allows for 'i'tikaf,' a form of Islamic retreat for prayer and contemplation.

How does the water in Gua Sunyaragi function in terms of religious practice?

The water in Gua Sunyaragi serves multiple purposes, one of which is for ablution (wudu) in Islamic practice. The flowing water is considered valid for performing ablution without needing to exit the cave.

What is the origin of the coral rock used in Gua Sunyaragi?

The coral rocks used in Gua Sunyaragi are sourced from the southern coastal area, specifically from beaches such as Kukup, Baron, and Indrayanti Beach in the Gunungkidul area.

What is the historical significance of the 'Megamendung' batik motif mentioned in the script?

The 'Megamendung' batik motif, which is a symbol of high ideals, originated in the Sunyaragi area. It is significant as a symbol of aspiration, representing the idea of aiming high, as high as the sky.

What does 'Langse Langsa Cave' in Gua Sunyaragi signify?

The 'Langse Langsa Cave' in Gua Sunyaragi is called the 'curtain cave,' as it is separated by a waterfall curtain. This design symbolizes the idea of separation between the inner sanctum and the outside world, especially during religious activities such as i'tikaf.

What is the purpose of the 'Peteng Cave' in Gua Sunyaragi?

The 'Peteng Cave,' meaning 'dark cave,' represents the journey from darkness to enlightenment. It symbolizes the challenge of overcoming life's difficulties and finding spiritual clarity.

Why is the statue of Prawan Sunthi significant in the Sunyaragi area?

The statue of Prawan Sunthi is significant as one of the oldest statues in Cirebon, believed to have been placed around 1604. There is also a myth that virgins should not touch the statue, due to fears it could shift the belief to polytheism.