Baturaden offers curative sulfur springs

Baturaden offers curative sulfur springs

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto

For people in Central Java and its surroundings, Baturaden has
long been a popular tourist resort that offers not just
beautiful, green mountain scenery but fresh, cool air and
waterfalls as its main attraction.

At the resort, which is located some 14 kilometers north of
Purwokerto, tourists may sit and relax while enjoying the
panoramic landscape, walk in the beautifully landscaped parks,
hike the steep paths in the bush or take a walk along a
suspension bridge over a scenic waterfall.

Those seeking a greater challenge, however, can take a three
kilometer climb to reach Pancuran Pitu (the Seven Fountains), a a
row of seven geysers on the mountainside. (The word pitu means
seven in Javanese.)

Locals believe that the sulfur content in the water can cure
skin ailments and rheumatism. The cost of bathing in the hot
water is only Rp 2,000 per person.

Locals also make use of the sulfur sediment as a rubbing agent
to offer massage services to visitors. The massage is usually
done in the pool while the client's feet are submerged up to the
ankles.
"People like having a massage here, including tourists from
overseas," said Sastro, 30, a masseur at Pancuran Pitu.

The cost of a massage is also relatively cheap, at Rp 10,000
per person, he added.

In a day, he says, he can service up to 10 visitors.

Some people, says Sastro, also believe that the sulfur springs
possess supernatural powers. They believe that by taking a bath
there, their chances of finding a soul mate will be easier.

"I do not know for sure when such a belief started, but it was
a long time ago, said Sastro, who has worked as a masseur at the
site for the last 15 years.

Those who come there seeking supernatural powers usually visit
on a specific night, mostly on the eve of Kliwon (on a Friday) or
Kliwon (on a Tuesday) according to the Javanese calendar, a night
considered to be sacred. They perform a ritual by bathing under
the fountains.

"You can see it for yourself by coming to this place at
midnight on the eve of a Kliwon Friday or a Tuesday," he said,
adding that many women could often be seen at the site on those
two particular nights.

Most, according to Sastro, had experienced difficulty in
finding a husband.

"But, again, I'm not sure whether their problems are really
solved after visiting Pancuran Pitu. I believe it's all in the
hands of God," Sastro said.

What was a matter of some concern, said Sastro, was that many
sex workers from nearby places had also became regular visitors
on the popular nights.

"They usually come in groups and bathe completely naked. They
do not seem to be bothered by the presence of other visitors,"
said Sastro, adding that most of the sex workers believed that by
taking a bath in the fountains they would increase their chances
of attracting customers.

According to local psychic Karno, 34, the existence of
Pancuran Pitu was the result of religious history. The site, he
said, was the place where a former Hindu priest who converted to
Islam meditated for the rest of his life.

The priest, known subsequently as Syeh Atas Angin, as the
legend tells, was said to have challenged anyone who dared to
fight him to determine the one with the greater supernatural
power. A Muslim preacher named Syeh Maulana Maghribi responded to
the challenge.

"Both were then involved in a bitter fight; their blows
pierced the mountain walls and formed seven holes that are now
the Pancuran Pitu," Karno explained.

After being defeated by Maulana Maghribi, Atas Angin then
declared himself a Muslim and became a student of Maulana
Maghribi. He continued to meditate there until his death.

"That's probably why people consider the place sacred and many
visit it seeking supernatural powers," he said.

Darto of the Baturaden management company said thousands of
visitors flocked to the resort every week. Numbers would increase
on public holidays, especially during Idul Fitri, which marks the
end of Ramadhan.

"Visitors can total more than 25,000 on such holidays," said
Darto, adding that the entrance fee was Rp 2,500 per person.

Pancuran Pitu is not the only attraction at the resort.
Pancuran Telu (the Three Fountains), a children's playground, hot
and cold swimming pools, a zoo and agri-tourism are all features
that draw crowds.

The resort can be reached from the Central Java provincial
capital, Semarang, from Purwokerto, or even Yogyakarta. The
journey takes about three to four hours to drive from either
Semarang or Yogyakarta, but only 20 minutes from Purwokerto bus
terminal or train station.