LOCATION:
Located deep inside Tengger Caldera. The jeep I took from Bromo Cottages Hotel in Tosari cost me Rp275.000 ($30) which includes the sunrise trip at Gunung Penanjakan before descending across the Sea of Sands to the foot of Mount Bromo. Just before the assembly place for horse riding, you will come across this temple. It is hard to not to see it.

DESCRIPTION:
Pura Luhur Poten holds a significant importance to the Tenggerese tribe who scatter across the mountainous villages such as Ngadisari, Wonokitri, Ngadas, Argosari, Ranu Prani, Ledok Ombo and Wonokerso. As the decline of Majapahit Kingdom dawned upon these people, they emphatically moved to the outskirts of the volcanoes, which inaccessibility was their greatest asset to fend off any foreign intrusions, especially by the Muslims and Christians.

Until today, the Tenggerese are isolated from the rest of the world. While the majority of Javanese profess the religion of Islam, this unique tribe still retains their beliefs from the ancient days of Majapahit. In fact, the name Tengger (used by the tribe as well as the massive caldera) was originated from Roro Anteng, the daughter of Majapahit's King Brawijaya, and Joko Seger, a Brahmin caste, who got married and eventually established Purbawisesa (Purbawaseso) Mangkurat Ing Tengger region under their ruling.

The Tenggerese actually subscribe to the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, but added to that are the elements of Hinduism and Animism. Nonetheless, it is OK to refer them as Hindus because the smorgasbord of religious influences is really not worth the time to think it through. In fact, in Pura Luhur Poten, the Tenggerese worship Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa (or the Big Almighty Lord), along with the Trimurti gods (Siwa, Brahma and Visnu).

The pura plays host to the annual Yadnya Kasada cememony. The event lasts for about 1 month, which, on the 14th day, the Tenggerese will congregate at Pura Luhur Poten to ask for blessings from Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa and God of Mahameru (Mt Semeru). Then the mass will proceed along the crater edges of Mt Bromo where offerings of rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers, livestock and other local produce will be thrown into the deep gully. The offering service dates back to the time of Roro Anteng and Joko Seger who performed a sacrificial ritual of animals and plants in replacement of their 25th child who initially was supposed to be thrown into the crater.

The major difference between this temple with the Balinese ones are the type of stones and paints used. Pura Luhur Poten uses natural black stones from the many volcanoes nearby, while Balinese temples mostly have orange paints at various sections. Inside this pura, there are several buildings and enclosures aligned in Mandala composition (zonal).

MY VERDICT:
Recommended for a visit. Can easily be combined with your trip to Bromo Crater anyway. Also, if you can visit during the Yadnya Kasada festival, it will be spectacular.