The Legend Of Cipendok Waterfall Banyumas
The slope of Mount Slamet is not only beautiful but also full of old stories. As Cipendok Waterfall, this 93-meter-height waterfall has a story of its first discovery.
It started after the War of Diponegoro ended (1825-1830). Dutch won the war and caused Banyumas, including Ajibarang, to fall into the hands of the Dutch government. At that time, Ajibarang was under the leadership of a Wedana named Raden Ranusentika. Dutch commanded Raden Ranusentika to open the land on the slope of Mount Slamet to be a plantation area.
A weird thing happened when Raden Ranusentika cut down trees in the forest. Every cut tree grew on the next day. It happened for months. At last, Raden Ranusentika went to the ascetic to look for the clue to the problem.
Raden Ranusentika did not get the clue, although he had already gone to the ascetic for a long time. Raden Ranusentika finally ended his ascetic. While thinking about the solution, Raden Ranusentika fished near a waterfall.
When fishing, his fishing hook was pulled by a big fish until it curled up. However, what was coming was not a fish but a dagger shell ring or pendok. After being close to the dagger shell ring, Raden Ranusentika could see the spirits that inhabited the forest. It turns out that those spirits thwarted the tree logging for plantation land clearing.
The waterfall where pendok was found is now known as Cipendok Waterfall. Up to now, Cipendok Waterfall is still natural thick, tall, green trees around.
Cipendok Waterfall was opened as a tourist attraction in 1987. It was 20 kilometers from downtown Purwokerto, precisely in Karangtengah Village, Cilongok District, Banyumas Regency. The accessibility to Cipendok Waterfall has been well asphalted, but we have to pass through winding and uphill roads.
We only need to spend 10,000 IDR per person to enjoy the beauty of Cipendok Waterfall. From the entrance gate, we will see shady trees along the road. From the parking area, we have to walk for 500 meters.
It indeed takes time walking to Cipendok Waterfall. Yet we will not feel bored because there are stalls, benches, gazebos, and a kids' playground. The long walk paid off the magnificence of the Cipendok Waterfall.
Cipendok Waterfall with a 93-meter height has heavy water flow. Even, we can hear the sound of the water flow before we reach the waterfall. Be careful if you want to swim or wash your feet because of the heavy water flow and slippery stones. Next to Cipendok Waterfall, there is a post for selfies. We can feel the water drizzling from the waterfall.
Do not forget to try mendoan or fried tempeh with pure cow milk in the stalls. The pure cow milk is from Rearing Unit Manggala BBPTU Dairy Cow Baturraden located before the entrance gate of Cipendok Waterfall. Tourists from out of town can stay in Germanggis Area or hotels near Cipendok Waterfall. (Kasih/Contributor)
