The prayer garden I’d like to share with you is Taman Doa Maria Ratuning Katentreman lan Karaharjan. People here also like to call this place Gua Maria Gantang (Virgin Mary cave of Gantang).  This prayer garden is in Gantang village, Sawangan sub-district in Muntilan. Muntilan itself is about 25 km north of Jogja and it is a district part of Magelang Regency. It was inaugurated in 2017 by Archbishop of Semarang, Mgr Robertus Rubiyatmoko.

The entrance of Taman Doa Maria Ratuning Katentreman lan Karaharjan

The name “Maria Ratuning Katentreman lan Karaharjan” is taken from the Javanese language which means Mary the Queen of Peace and Salvation. The creator of this statue –a-Merapi-artist—Ismanto liked to call this work of art as Mbok Tentrem. “Mbok” is a Javanese phrase comes from the word “simbok” which means mother whereas the word “tentrem” means peace.

Mbok Tentrem is a 10-meters-height statue. This statue’s height symbolizes things that are related to the Catholic religion. First symbolism can be seen from its 3-meters-height of foundation which represents Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The second one is in the height of the Virgin Mary statue. The 7-meters statue represents sacraments in Catholicism. The third one is in the total 10-meter-height which symbolizes Ten Commandments. The last symbolism is in the pose of the Virgin Mary stands on a dragon’s head. This pose is meant to remind people that being with the Virgin Mary will help them defeat the cruel dragon in their life.

Mbok Tentrem

I arrived at Taman Doa Maria Ratuning Katentreman lan Karaharjan early in the morning. The way to this prayer garden was appealing to me. For someone who lives in the center of the city, the view of rice fields was not something I saw in my daily life. It was like green carpets everywhere. Lovely! I could enjoy the fresh air as well though it was rather chilly.

My visit to Gua Maria Gantang began with seeing the statue of Mbok Tentrem. I took time to contemplate and prayed there though I am not a Catholic. This prayer garden was quiet and I could feel in peace there. After taking my time in front of the famous statue of the Virgin Mary, I decided to move away to another spot in this prayer garden. Yes, I visited another area of praying. I sat on a stall and once again, took my time for praying. Later on, before deciding to leave this place I looked around to see flowers there. Yeah, I like flowers and they had various colorful flowers. 

A part of the prayer garden of Gua Maria Gantang.

Can you tell me the name of this flower? I have no clue. This is one of the various flowers I saw in Gua Maria Gantang.

Warm regards from Jogja. See ya!