Archaeological sites in the district of Gunung Padang (Mount Padang) Cianjur Regency not everyone knows. In fact, these megalithic sites, with an area of 3 ha, claimed to be the largest megalithic sites in Southeast Asia. Certainly very unfortunate if we did not know it. Cianjur Regency want to make this site as a flagship tourist destination as well as education.
To reach the site, only jeeps and similar vehicles and motorcycles which can continue up to the location of the site. Gunung Padang sites located on top of a the hill, to reach from the base must climb a steep staircase, 95 meters high, made from andesite rocks pillars which laid nearly 400 stairs.
The view over the entire hill and building of megalithic sites is amazing. In the yard of megalithic sites, the visitors will listen to the explanations from tourists guide about this site from a variety of scientific approaches, also look at of thousands andesite stones which formed the pillars, four-or five-sided arranged in such a way as to various functions.
This site estimated as an ancient cemetery. The existence of this site then reported back to the local government cultural overseers by local residents. Since then, the site has been examined in considerable depth while still leaves a variety of archaeological controversy. Archaeologists agree that the site is not a cemetery as stated by Krom (1914), that just mentioned that the site was estimated as an ancient tomb, but a place of worship.
Gunung Padang is the site located in an area geologically that have a quite active earthquake, not far from section Cimandiri, which stretches from the Gulf Pelabuhan Ratu, up to about Padalarang (districts in West Bandung regency, West Java province). If there is activation from the geological forces around the Gulf of Pelabuhan Ratu, South of West Java, then it often becomes a mediator of shocking quake.
Some of the toppled and broken menhir in area of the site and is projected to cause earthquakes. In relation to worship, this site can be built for that purpose, so that people are protected from earthquake or volcanic sources that are not far from Mount Padang. Mount Gede occupied a very strong geomantic position for the Site of Mount Padang. Mount Padang site was built to be oriented entirely to Mount Gede.
Megalithic Site Mount Padang
Location on the map