Buddhagaya Watugong Pagoda in Semarang City, Central Java Province
Not all tourists are aware of the religious value of Semarang City. Not only it is famous for the Grand Mosque, Semarang also has several pagodas and temples typical Indonesia. One of them is located in Banyumanik Sub-District called Buddhagaya Watugong Pagoda. To be exact, the location is in Perintis Kemerdekaan Street at Pudakpayung Village. For the information, the locals also call it Avalokitesvara Pagoda. As the name suggests, this place was used to accommodate Buddhists who live in Semarang and nearby regions. Still, it also becomes an interesting vacation destination especially to enjoy photography and exploration.
The Nuance
The site has a total area of 2.25 hectares and it consists of 5 buildings. Two of them become the major attractions of the site, actually. They are Dhammasala and Avalokitesvara Pagoda. It is said these buildings have been there since 1955! It is surprising that the condition remains good and neat. Thanks to the management. What are others? Tourists can also find other objects including Watugong Monument, Buddha Statue, Kwan Im Statue, and a lotus pond. Not to mention a serene Bodhi Tree grows beautifully in the yard! As for the ornaments, those came from China and have an excellent durability.
Exploring Buddhagaya Watugong Pagoda
For first-timers, they should not carelessly enter the site. It is because there is a special ritual that everyone should do before entering the site. What is that? The guests should step on the pig, snake, and chicken statue located at the entrance of the vihara. It is said those animals represent bad things like laziness, hatred, and greed. Thus, according to the Buddhist, stepping on them would get rid of those negative traits as well.
It is also recommended to hire a local guide who can tell thorough information regarding the vihara and show some good spots to conduct photography. In terms of history, it is the first vihara built after the fall of the Majapahit Kingdom. At the time, the size was quite small. Thanks to Sangha Theravada. The renovation was done soon after and it turned into a more beautiful and bigger vihara. The recent renovation finished in 2006, for the information.
The good thing is everyone is allowed to explore the site without hassles. Make sure to reach the 7-tiered pagoda as well! Do not forget to take photos in front of all statues and unique ornaments there. As for the rule, the most important one is regarding the environment. Even though tourists are allowed to carry and eat foods on the site, they must take care of the trash later. After all, Buddhagaya Watugong Pagoda is a sacred place so everyone must not spoil it.
Nearby Attractions
- Siroto Hill
- Malon Village
- Watu Gunung
How to Get There
From the downtown, a trip to Buddhagaya Watugong Pagoda may take approximately 17 minutes. It is because the distance is 10.9 km. What tourists need to do is to head to Banyumanik Sub-District and head to Pudakpayung Village afterward. As for the route, it is recommended to take Semarang – Surakarta Street.
Where to Stay
- Joglo Java Villa
- Balemong Resort
- Safira Homestay
- Adalia Homestay
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