TIMES SINGAPORE, MALANG – Yadnya Kasada, also known as Kasodo, is an annual ritual performed by the Tenggerese people of East Java as an expression of gratitude and prayer to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (the highest God) which reverently referred to in local belief as Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa or Hong Pukulun.

The ritual centers on the offering (larungan) of agricultural goods—such as vegetables, fruits, chickens, and even money—into the smoking crater of Mount Bromo. These offerings are symbols of sacrifice and gratitude, intended to maintain balance between humans, nature, and the divine.

In Tenggerese belief, these offerings are not just traditions but sacred acts. “Yadnya Kasada is not just a ritual, but a reminder of the importance of balance in life,” said Rama Edi, a Tenggerese priest (11/6/2025).

A Ritual Born from Ancient Myth

The Yadnya Kasada ritual is rooted in a powerful legendthe story of Roro Anteng and Joko Tengger. These two figures, believed to be descendants of the Majapahit royal line, fled political turmoil and settled in the Tengger highlands.

Despite ruling the area peacefully, they were unable to have children and turned to the mountain gods for help.

Their prayers were answered with one condition: they must sacrifice their last-born child. Eventually, they were blessed with 25 children. However, when the time came to fulfill their vow, they could not bring themselves to sacrifice their youngest, Raden Kusuma.

Angered, the gods caused Mount Bromo to erupt and take Raden Kusuma into its depths. Before vanishing, he requested that his family honor the gods with annual offerings into the crater which then creating the basis for the Yadnya Kasada ceremony.

Faith and Devotion at Mount Bromo

Today, the Tenggerese people continue to uphold that sacred promise. Every year during the full moon of the Kasada month, thousands gather at Mount Bromo before sunrise, climbing the steep slopes while carrying offerings.

Prayers are chanted, and offerings are thrown into the crater—an act of remembrance, submission, and gratitude. Although dangerous, some locals descend into the crater to retrieve offerings, believing it brings good fortune.

This practice, while not part of the official ritual, shows the intense devotion and cultural value of the ceremony to the Tenggerese people. The ritual blends reverence for tradition, natural forces, and ancestral heritage.

A Living Tradition of the Tenggerese People

Yadnya Kasada is far more than a cultural spectacle—it is a living expression of Tenggerese identity, spirituality, and their connection to a sacred land. The legend of Roro Anteng and Joko Tengger remains alive in every prayer, offering, and step taken toward Mount Bromo’s crater.

Through Yadnya Kasada, the Tenggerese not only honor the divine but also preserve a unique worldview where harmony between humans, nature, and the unseen world must be constantly maintained.

In the rising mist and fiery depths of Mount Bromo, the ancient promise still echoes  through Yadnya Kasada reminding all who witness it of the enduring power of faith, sacrifice, and tradition. (*)