- Mrapen
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Mrapen (Indonesian: Api Abadi Mrapen) is the name of eternal flame that came out from the soil (stone). This natural phenomenon is located at Manggarmas village, Godong, Purwodadi Grobogan district, Central Java, Indonesia. This eternal flame was created through natural geological phenomena; the leaking of natural gas from the ground and it was ignited by the fire a long time ago. It was unknown since when the gas leakage was ignited, but the Mrapen flame is already known since 15th century Demak Sultanate era. It was mentioned that the sacred kris heirloom dagger of Demak Sultanate were forged in Mrapen flame.[1] The flame never extinguished although in the middle of rain or winds.
The Mrapen eternal flame is considered sacred in Javanese culture, and it is used in annual Waisak Buddhist ceremony to be brought to Mendut and Borobudur temple together with sacred water from Umbul Jumprit spring. It was also used for several torch relay for multi sport events held in Indonesia. The first time it was used in GANEFO sport event held on 1 November 1963. Later every Pekan Olahraga Nasional (Indonesian National Sport Week) always used Mrapen flame, followed by 1997 Southeast Asian Games, 2008 Asian Beach Games and 2011 Southeast Asian Games.
References
- ^ "Obor SEA Games XXVI Mulai Diarak dari Mrapen" (in Indonesian). Tempo Interaktif. 2011-10-23. http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/olahraga_lain/2011/10/23/brk,20111023-362846,id.html. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
External links
Categories:- Visitor attractions in Indonesia
- Ceremonial flames
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