TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Some beaches in Jember got visited by more visitors in certain days such as at Thursday nights or Friday nights, and on the 1st Syura eve. These particular beaches are known to bear strong mystical aura. Getting more curious by this information, I visited these three mystical beaches.
Puger Beach
I arrived at a noon time in Puger beach in early 2015. The sun was burning and there was only black sand as far as the eye can see. It was barren. The waves and green trees were seem unable to overcome the hot weather. I met only two fishermen who had not gotten any catch since the morning.
Apart from it’s fame as a mystical site, it is safe to say that there is no special beauty lies on this beach that is located 40-kilometer on the southwest of Jember City.
“More visitors are coming on Thursday nights and Friday nights to perform rituals. Also on the 1st of Syura,” said Mahat, the ticket counter attendant.
Not far from the beach, there are Air Kucur Pool, Seribu Natural Spring, and Mbah Kucur Ruins. According to Mahat, Mbah Kucur is believed to be the former soldier of Puger from Mataram who once accompanied the prince during a hermitage near the location.
“After the Puger Prince completed his hermitage and returned to Mataram, the guard stayed in Puger Kucur.”
Watu Ulo Beach
This seashore is 30 minutes away from Puger Beach. There are more food vendors here and not as barren as Puger Beach. Remains of offerings scattered on a long stone that looks like snake figure. Legend has it that there was a young man named Raden Mursodo who killed a giant snake and chopped the snake’s body into three parts. Raden Mursodo was furious toward the snake because it ate a magical fish that had been giving him gold.
Papuam Beach
Papuma is an white-sand beach with exotic view that nested one kilometer from Watu Ulo. Papuma stands for Pasir Putih Malikan (Malikan White Sand). The Malikan is a kind of coral that give out a typical sound when hit by the sea wave.
The 50-hectare beach is surrounded by a protected forest managed by Perhutani. There are parking area and food vendors in the beach. However, no swimming is allowed on the beach due to the strong tide.
In the beach end not far from the cape, two people were seen performing a ritual. They only dressed in kemben and someone was pouring water to both of them. I wonder what kind of ritual they were doing.
ANDRY TRIYANTO | RINA W.
