So infamous Candi Sukuh is, even those living in Solo or Jogja, nearest townships to the site, may not know where it is. Located in quite a remote area on the slope of Mount Lawu about 1,000 meters above the sea level, you are advised to get yourself a four-wheel-drive vehicle with more than 2.0 liters of diesel engine. If you are taking public transport, the journey is even more challenging. From Solo, take a bus to Tawangmangu at Tirtonadi Bus Terminal. Stop at Karang Pandan, a half way before the final destination. Then continue your journey with a small minivan toward Kemuning where you will have to further by hiring an “ojek”, motorbike taxi.

The whole complex of Candi Sukuh sits on a terraced piece of land. The main gate located at the front side is decorated with carved reliefs. Up at the second terrace you can find reliefs with completely naked humans. Something a bit unusual especially knowing that it is something forbidden in eastern cultural customs. Even more unusual as temple is obviously a religious site. There are also a formation of “lingga” and “yoni”, representation of male and female genitals.

Approaching the main temple on the third terrace there is a stone tower erects on a stone stage. Again, the stage presents erotic reliefs. On one side of the tower is a relief believed to be woman’s uterus with a couple of human beings inside, each represents good and evil. Right in front of the main temple is a “perwara” along with a headless figure of Gupala.

Another interesting aspect of Candi Sukuh is its unique architectural style compared to other similar sites found in the region. Whilst most others were built in a form that symbolize Mount Meru, Candi Sukuh has simple trapezoidal form. Known to be built back in the 15th century before the fall of Majapahit Kingdom, Candi Sukuh shares similar form to Mayan pyramid in Central America.

Is there any connections in between? Among various theories says that Candi Sukuh was built when the glory of Hindu started to fade away in Java and therefore the concept returned back to the megalithic age before arrival of Hindu. Another theory says that Candi Sukuh built as a part of exploration of “tirta amerta”, water of life, as described in Indian Mahabharata manuscript. According to this particular theory, Candi Sukuh was built in the form of Mount Mandaragiri, but the topmost tip was taken as a tool to search for the water of life.

Despite of the mysteries that remains unsolved, a visit to Candi Sukuh gives both refreshing mountain atmosphere as well as exploration of the remains of the last ancient temple built in Java.

In effort to maintain or even improve popularity of batik both nationwide as well as worldwide, Solo Batik Carnival is conducted every year since 2008. The latest event was organized by Solo Center Point Foundation in collaboration with the city government of Surakarta, the official name of Solo.

Inspired by Jember Fashion Carnival which incorporates street fashion parade, designed as a community-based carnival Solo Batik Carnival is aimed to become an international event. No wonder that the two events are conceptually similar with one intrinsic distinction, Solo Batik Carnival makes it mandatory to use batik as the main material for the costumes.

It is not an even for fun as it is aimed to present high quality fashion exhibition. Before participating in the carnival all participants have to enroll into a months long fashion design course. The designed costumes will then have to be made and then worn by the participants in carnival that takes place along the main street of Solo, Jalan Slamet Riyadi that ends at the mayor office.

Initially Solo Batik Carnival was conducted in daylight. But since the fourth year the schedule was shifted to be started in the evening. Magnificently luxurious batik material creatively set into beautiful fashion creations look glorious under colorful floodlights, making the event even more appealing. Floods of attendees are coming not only from Solo and surrounding areas but also from other cities and provinces. To make it easier for both participants and attracted attendees to mark their schedule, starting from 2009 Solo Batik Carnival has a fix schedule, every June.

Each year the event brought a uniquely different theme, Masks, Flower of the Universe, Miraculous Legend, and so forth, which then translated into the costume designs. Combination of classic batik patterns with contemporary modern motives dressed up with various accessories like tiaras and beads makes the event getting more colorful every year.

To expand its exposure last year a delegation of Solo Batik Carnival was sent to participate Chingay Festival in Singapore, which receive wide public appreciation.

The history noted that during the colonial age, Pasar Klewer is a train stopover station. Crowd of passengers attracted merchants to offer various goods, the area surrounding the train station then grew into a marketplace known Pasar Slompretan. The name “slompratan” – in Javanese mean trumpet – comes from the train horn which to people ears sounded like trumpet. As time went by Pasar Slompretan hosted more and more batik merchants. Batik supply was carried by laborers on their shoulder, leaving exceeding textile waving around, a condition which in Javanese expressed as “berkleweran”. Decades later the former name Pasar Slompretan faded away and people prefer to call it Pasar Klewer instead.

Back in 1970 the government refurbished the market into an ample two story building that hosted more than 2000 kiosks. Corridors and stairways were wide to impose even more spaciousness.

Traversing along crisscrossing corridor from one block to another we can find various kinds of batik. In addition to fabric there are also ready-made clothes from traditional Javanese costume called “kebaya” to daily clothing for kids. More than native batik of Solo, there are also batik types from other areas each with unique distinction like batik from Pekalongan, Banyumas, Madura, and Yogyakarta.

From cotton stamped batik costs a few bucks to silk hand-painted batik costs more than a grand can be brought back home at a fraction of price at boutiques and shops with one condition, you have to posses top bargaining skill. Here at Pasar Klewer, bargaining is an art. If you buy plenty then the merchant will make it a bulk order with unbelievable wholesaler discount.

On the upper floor are various kind of textile, making Pasar Klewer not only a huge batik marketplace but also textile of any kinds. Here at the second floor you can also find tailors who can magically change the raw fabric you bought into beautiful clothes in a blink of your eyes.