Kiskendo Cave is a natural cave located in the Menoreh mountain, Kulon Progo Regency. The cave lies on 1200 m above sea level, so that the air there is cool and fresh. It is locates about 35 kilometres at northwest side of Yogyakarta, on a hill at the northern side of Kulon Progo Regency,a small fine-asphalt road leads to Kiskendo cave. Only small kinds of four-wheeled vehicles can reach the cave. Those who visit the cave with a bus must leave the vehicle at Niten village, close to Giri Mulyo subdistrict office, about 8 kilometres from the cave.
On the way to the cave, you may enjoy the charming scenery along the windy road. Valleys, green farmland, and simple rural traditional houses reflect the traditional atmosphere in which the people live. Entering the Kiskendo cave, you will be greeted by wonderful stalactites and stalagmites like mostly limestone do have. According to the legend, the natural shape of the cave was once the palace of two giants by the names of Mahesa Suro and Lembu Suro who were defeated by Subali as portrayed in the relief at the front of the cave.Valleys, green farmland, and simple rural traditional houses reflect the traditional atmosphere in which the people live.
Apart from the stalagmites clinging to the roof and mounting from the floor of the cave, it is said that the cave treasures a well known legend about the fight between Mahesasura, Lembusura and Jathasura against Sugriwa and Subali.
This story is depicted by relief made in front of the cave. In connection with above story, inside the Kiskendo cave local people belief the presence of several places as being the remainders of Sekandang Kingdom, among others: Santri Tani and Subali meditation places, Selumbung (royal food storage), Kraton Sekandang (centre of the Kingdom), Selansur (hiding place of royal soldiers during the fight between Subali againt Mahesasura and Lembusura; this place can only be reached by crawling ) and Sumelong (a hole through the roof of the cave the escape of Subali from the cave because Sugriwa has blocked the entrance of the cave).
TIP& TRICKS
Bring a camera just to take every beautiful picture on this place.
Source : gudeg.net
