History Of Tuban's Grand Goa, Once A Gathering Place For Wali Songo

YOGYAKARTA Goa Akbar is one of the natural tourism objects located in Semanding District, Tuban, East Java. This goa is often visited by songo guardian pilgrims because its location is only about 1 km from Sunan Bonang's grave. In this cave there are reliefs that tell Tuban's history, including the spread of religion and culture in Wali City (Tuban Regency nickname). So, what is the history of Tuban's Goa Akbar?

Summarized from various sources, Wednesday, April 30, 2024, the history of Goa Akbar Tuban has many versions.

The first version states that Goa Akbar's name is taken from abar (panishing) plants that grow in my mouth.

The second version says that the big name comes from the word ngahbar which in Ancient Javanese means practice.

This opinion is based on a hereditary story from the public that once Goa Akbar was used by Ronggolawe soldiers for training in kanuragan science as a provision for facing Majapahit troops.

The next version states that the name Goa Akbar comes from Sunan Bonang's words when he first visited the cave, namely Allah, which means Allah is great.

That said, Goa Akbar was once used as a gathering place for the Wali Songo and the famous people of ancient times. One of them is Putra Adipati Tuban, namely Raden Mas Said or known as Sunan Kalijaga.

According to the story circulating, Raden Said settled in this cave after being expelled by his father and then made a student of Sunan Bonang.

Finally, there is a story that mentions that Goa Akbar used to be named Lueng Ombo. In the past, Lueng Ombo was covered by thorny shells, bamboo clumps, and abar trees. So, the atmosphere feels haunted.

It is said that at that time, Lueng Ombo was referred to as the palace of parayangan jinn and banaspati illu-ilu. So that in ancient times, Lueng Ombo was used as a place for the ancestors to love or serve as a place for the ancestors, especially during the era of the lokajaya era.

Please note, the lokajaya delinquent is the nickname Sunan Kalijaga when he was still a robber.

While controlled by Lokajaya, the place was guarded by a powerful and faithful pet in the form of a Taksaka Dragon.

Akbar Tuban's goa has a stalactite and a stalagmite in various forms that shed water. The natural scenery in the cave is even more amazing with the presence of small rivers flowing through the cave with rocks inside the river.

Along the walls there are also reliefs that tell the history of Tuban, including the spread of religion and culture.

Visitors do not need to worry about the road that will be passed while in the cave, because the manager has created a special road that will not trouble visitors when enjoying the view in the cave.

Another attraction, Goa Akbar has a 1.2-kilometer winding alley which is estimated to be 20 million years old.

In this cave there are also marine animal fossils, such as shells that are in rocks and cave walls.

Goa Akbar has a natural spring called Kedung Tirta Agung.

That's information about the history of Goa Akbar Tuban. Hopefully this article can add insight to the loyal readers of VOI.ID.