Golden and Silver Sunrise at Dieng Plateu

Dieng Plateau, is a marshy plateau that forms the floor of a caldera complex on the Dieng Active Volcano Complex, and is located near Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia.

It is the site for eight small Hindu temples from the 7th and 8th centuries, the oldest Hindu temples in Central Java, and the first known standing stone structures in Java. They are originally thought to have numbered 400 but only 8 remain. The Dieng structures were small and relatively plain, but stone architecture developed substantially in only a matter of decades resulting in masterpieces such as the Prambanan complex and Borobudur. The name "Dieng" comes from Di Hyang which means "Abode of the Gods".Its misty location almost 2000 m above sea level, and its mists, poisonous effusions and sulphur-coloured lakes make it a particularly auspicious place for religious tribute. The temples are small shrines built as monuments to the god-ancestors, rather than as a convenience to man.

Volcanic cones at Dieng include the following - Bismo, Srojo, Binem, Pangonan, Merdodo, Pagerkandang, Nogosari, Petarangan, Telogo Dringo, Pakuwaja,Kendil, Kunir and Prambanan.

Fumarole areas - Kawah Sikidang, Kawah Sigajah, Kawah Kumbang, Kawah Sibanteng, Kawah Upas,Telogo Terus, Kawah Pagerkandang, Kawah Sipandu, Kawah Siglagah and Kawah Sileri.

Dieng plateu holds thousands of natural charms and has a rich ancient heritage. One of the many activities that tourists usually participate in on the plateu, other than indulging in the splendor of ancient temples, is watching the sun rise.

If lucky, in one day you can see the "golden sunrise" and the "silver sunrise". Tremendously beautiful.

Although administratively it is part of Wonosobo regency, the plateu is located at the crossroads between Wonosobo, Banjarnegara regency, Temanggung regency, Kendal regency and Batang regency.

To be able to watch sunrise, you have to be at the Sceneries Shelter at Tieng village, some five kilometers from downtown Wonosobo. It takes less than 30 minutes to get there. If leaving the town early at around two or three in the morning, the morning chill and the thick air will be another challenge to beat for the post sits at 1,700 meter above sea level.

However, the biting air will be compensated for with the scenic view. As we descend to the post, dots of light from Wonosobo and its nearby cities form a dramatic panorama.

Nearest villages like Kejajar and Rowojali look like they are standing behind a curtain of morning mist which is slowly falling from the dark sky. The color of life changes every second. Gradually, Sindoro mountain and Kendeng mountain will also be seen afar.

But don't get too absorbed in this rare beauty for we have another sunrise to chase at the Dieng temple compound, around ten minutes from the Sceneries Shelter.

The moment may not be as spectacular as the first, but it has an entirely different flavor. The sun rises from behind clusters of temples, which sit 2,093 above sea level. From behind the Hindu temples, if, again, the sky is clear, the sun shines only one ray. It is silvery -- that's why it's called silver sunrise -- and penetrates through the old stones of the temples.

This list is of all identified candi found within the immediate area of the main plateau.

Candi Abiyasa Candi Arjuna Candi Bima Candi Darawati Candi Dvaravati Candi Gatotkaca Candi Pandu Candi Parikesit

Candi Puntadewa Candi Magersari Candi Nakula Candi Sadewa Candi Sembadra Candi Senjaka Candi Semai Candi Srikandi Candi Wachthamer