Exploring Javanese Culture and Culinary at Prambanan Temple's Medang Market

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko or Injourney Destination Management (IDM) is ready to welcome tourists to spend the 2024 Eid holiday at the destinations it manages, namely Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, Keraton Ratu Boko and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. At the #LebarandiCandi moment this time, IDM is once again presenting the Medang Market which is a characteristic of activities at the destination.

“Medang Market is an IP (Intellectual Property) Injourney Destination Management, the aim of which is to be present as a program that provides experience "The best for visitors to the destination where the hope is that in the future this program will not only be implemented in IDM destinations, but also in other DPSP destinations," said Hetty Herawati, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Injourney Destination Management.

Since its implementation in 2023, Pasar Medang has always been present thematic at every event. This year, by carrying the #LebarandiCandi moment, Pasar Medang is present with the theme Traveling Stories of Java Land which will be held on April 11-15 2024 at Prambanan Temple until 19.00 WIB. 

Departing from the Lebaran period which is identical with moments of joy and gathering with family and relatives, Pasar Medang this time presents various interesting activities that invite visitors to reacquaint themselves with Javanese traditions that once existed in their time. For 5 days, visitors can experience experience typical Javanese taste, script and culture by going through 3 main activities, namely Cipta Aksara, Bhuvana Java and Sasana Kriya.

Creative Writing invites visitors to have the experience of learning Javanese script through recycled media or dwulang paper. The work created by visitors can be taken home as souvenirs. 

Javanese Culture invites visitors to get to know one of the Javanese cultures in the past, namely reading weton stories or reading weton. Weton or birth time is one of the important periods in human life that is believed to influence life in the future. The results of reading this weton can be expressed by visitors through crayon scratches on the #LebarandiCandi board that has been provided while taking pictures wearing Javanese clothes such as Kebaya or Beskap.

Craft Hall offers various regional art performances to a parade of dancers from the legendary Ramayana Ballet cast. This activity also collaborates with local communities to raise potential talents to help develop Indonesian tourism.

In addition to various interesting activities, there are also tempting culinary offerings presented at Pasar Medang this time. Visitors can enjoy various types of old heritage or traditional food starting from Javanese Beer, sate kere, oseng mercon, mi kopyok, wedang pring and many more. In addition, there are also several types of new year or types of food that have developed currently in collaboration with local MSMEs in the surrounding area.

"Medang Market always collaborates with tenants and local communities around the destination area. One of the characteristics of Medang Market is to elevate locality, not only from the type of activity, but also to collaborate with parties who have built and developed the locality itself. The hope is that along with the development of Medang Market, it will also help elevate local communities and MSMEs in each area in the future," said Hetty Herawati.

One of the visitors, Dani, who came from Bekasi, said that Medang Market is a complete package to visit when visiting Prambanan Temple because of the many variations of activities, culinary delights and can be enjoyed by all groups.

"The interesting thing for me in the Medang market is the cultural dance festival, my child is also enthusiastic. His parents can reminisce with old school music while enjoying delicious snacks here. So here it's not just a walk but also education for children about history and culture," he said.

During the first and second day of the Eid holiday, visitors to Prambanan Temple have approached 15.000 visitors. This is expected to continue to increase, considering the Eid holiday and joint leave period which will still last until April 15, 2024. In addition, in terms of infrastructure, it is also supported by the Solo-Yogyakarta Functional Toll Road access with the Klaten functional exit which has been operating since before Eid, making it easier for tourists to visit Prambanan Temple during this Eid.