Mount Rinjani National Park covers an area of 41,330 ha on the northern part of Lombok. Named after Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak outside of West Papua, the peak of Gunung Rinjani (3,726m) dominates the landscape. Within the crater is the spectacular Segara Anak lake and the still-active volcano Gunung Baru (2,363m).
It is surrounded by a further 66,000 ha of Protection Forest and covers the three administrative district of West, East and Central Lombok. The park ecosystem is in the transitional zone between Asia and Australia (Wallace zone). Average rainfall is about 3,000 mm annually.
Mount Rinjani is rich in a variety of flora, fauna and vegetation types. On the south western side of the mountain is the most eastern extent of primary rainforest in Nusa Tenggara. This gives way to monsoon forest and drier climate in the east, and savannah in the north east. Notable flora includes the everlasting edelweiss flower (Anaphalis viscida), tiger orchid (Vanda sp.), alang-alang grass (Imperata cylindrica), cemara trees (Casuarina trifolia and Casuarina ocidentale).
Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. It is valued and protected for its spiritual as well as natural values, and is worshipped by thousands of Balinese as well as Sasak pilgrims. Hot springs near the crater lake are sought after for their healing powers.
Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.
The village of Senaru is the main gateway to Mount Rinjani National Park, the most popular start point for the three day Rinjani Trek up Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak (3,726m). For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and the abode of gods. Within the spectacular crater, the Segara Anak Lake is the destination of many pilgrims who place offerings in the water and bathe away disease in the nearby hot springs.
About Mount Rinjani :
The Peak of Rinjani
The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the Queen apirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani live. To the south – east from the peak in a sea of dust called "Segara Muncar" is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her follower, They good spirits. According to a story about the queen spirit Dewi Anjani she wa the daughter of a King who would not allow her to marry he boyfriend. At a spring called Mandala she disappeared and changed from the real world to the spirit world.
Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano, which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that gunung baru erupted it will not harm the people of lombok unless the erupted is from the peak of Mt. Rinjani. Some people said that the 1994 gunung baru erupted was caused by spirits who were building something because the stones that erupted were arranged in an orderly and attractive way at the foot of gunung baru. (Around September 2004 gunung baru was erupted again).
Segara Anak Lake
Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water, the name Segara Anak means child of the Sea. Segara anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible powers. People feel content to stay a long time in this place because of the large community of the mysterious spirits, which live around the lake. The local people believe that if the lake looks wide when seen at a distance, it is sign they will live to an old age; or if the lake seems narrow, it is a sign of a short age. So in order not to be pessimistic, people quickly purify themselves by lifting up their spirit and calm soul and look at the lake contentedly.
Healing Hot Spring
Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various diseases. One of the hot springs named “pengkereman jembangan” which is means a place for dipping. The water, which spurts out of the spring is very hot. Weapon such as kris, sword, big knives, and lances are dipped in the spring to test their magic power. If the weapon become sticky, it mean that the weapon is bad and has no magical power. However if the weapon remain unchanged it means that the weapon has supernatural power and the strength will be increased.
People also used hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid become clear and oily it can be use ad medicinal oil. Than the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called “Siu satus tunggal” which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of sis eases.
Mount Rinjani National Park The Best Treks in South East Asia
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