【Travel Information】Api Abadi Mrapen
This is an eternal flame that is natually burned because the hydrocarbon gas appears and burns on the surface of the land.
The name “Mrapen” comes from a word “Prapen” that means “fire” in Javanese language.
This flame has an interesting legend.
According to the legend, this flame was found by a famous Islamic religious leader in 15th century, Sunan Kalijaga. When he was on the way back to his country, he took a rest here. His team looked for fire to cook. Once Sunan Kalijaga stuck his stick in the ground, the flame suddenly came out. After this, the flame has been burning here.
Because of the legend, people believe that this is holy fire, they take the fire for international sports games and religious rituals including Waisak from here.
In 2020, there was a news that was said that the flame burned out. But still now the flame is there. You can see the gas comes out from the land by the naked eye, if you put a paper or dried leaf you can see the fire clearly.
In the morning of 1 day before of Waisak, some Buddhist monks visit this place to pick the fire up for the rituals in Borobudur Temple and Mendut Temple. In the afternoon, the fire arrives in Mendut Temple. You could see the rituals for the fire if you visited here or Mendut Temple on that day.
Location
Godong, Grobogan, Central Java
Ticket
Rp 2,500 per person
Opening Hours
8:00 – 17:00
How to get there
There is no public transportation to go to this place. Using a chartered-car is the best way to get there.
From Borobudur, it takes around 3.5 hours by car.
From Semarang, it takes about 1.5 hours by car.
From Yogyakarta, it takes about 4.5 hours by car.
