DIENG PLATEAU – the oldest complex of temples in Java Island, where the gods is living in

Dieng Plateau is a highland (plateau) located in Central Java that administratively divided into two areas, one area is part of Banjarnegara district (Dieng Kulon), and the other is part of Wonosobo district (Dieng Wetan).

Most people think that the word “Dieng” is coming from the Kawi language "di Hyang" where "di" means mountain and "Hyang" means god, so the meaning of Dieng is residence of gods. From the name, we can imagine how beautiful are the natural scenery in this place.

Beside the cool and fresh air (because this object is located in the highland), Dieng Plateau also has many tourist attractions that can be visited by visitor, such as complex of temples, lake, craters that still active, and also Dieng Plateau Theater (DPT) which is a Mini Theater located on the Sikendil Hill, where the visitor can see the movie about the history of Dieng and the tourist-object at there.

In this place there are five complex of temples, namely:
• Complex of Arjuna Temple (Five Pandawa)
• Complex of Gatot Kaca Temple
• Complex of Bhima Temple
• Complex of Dwarawati/Parikesit Temple
• Complex of Magersari Temple

Temples in Dieng is the oldest temples in Java Island, which is a cultural heritage from the seventh century, in the age of Wangsa Sanjaya Dynasty.
Just like Gedong Songo Temple in Semarang district, Dieng Temple is also a temple of Hindu culture that we can still see its splendor.

And craters that we can still see its activities in Dieng are Sikidang crater and Timbang crater.

Dieng is the producer of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and fruit Carica (a typical fruit of Dieng). So when you come here you have to buy Carica, because it is so fresh and may not be found in other places. And you can also buy “Sambal Goreng Kentang” (local food with potatoes and chili as the raw material) in this place.

For those of you who are interested to stay for several days here, there are some Home Stay and House for rent in Dieng, and sure you will get it with affordable prices. If you want to get in a better hotel, you can go down from Dieng and looking for that one in Wonosobo.

And if you go to Wonosobo, you can try Ongklok noodle, a local culinary.

A little more information for you, the Dieng Plateau is situated at 2,000 meters above the sea level, with range of temperatures from 8° C - 22° C, but sometimes the temperature can fall to 0° C in the morning. Perhaps this information will persuade you to bring a jacket or coat when planning a vacation to Dieng Plateau.

Happy holidays ......

(some information adapted from the Website of Dieng)