Spring Fountain : Tegal Regency

What could possibly make 10,000 people jump into the same 40-square-meter pool in one day? A desire to be lucky.

The hot springs — transformed into a pool — in the village of Guci, Tegal regency, Central Java, have become a major tourist destination, attracting people from as far as Bandung, who believe the water has magical energy that will bring them many benefits.

“It is said the pool came to life thanks to Sunan Gunung Jati of Cirebon,” said 25-year-old Yuwanto, a souvenir seller near the hot spring, when referring to one of nine Muslim saints or Wali Sanga who introduced Islam to Java.

“When Sunan Gunung Jati wanted to spread Islam here, a drought struck the area. He prayed for water and suddenly the fountains appeared. That’s all I know,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Most days, dozens of people can be seen at any one time, not frolicking in the pool, but taking turns washing their bodies in the jet of hot water coming out of one of the 13 fountains located on one side of the pool.

The water, waist high, is so clear that you can see people’s feet in the water. Fountains are located half a meter from each other. Because the pool has 13 holes, people call it Telaga Pancuran 13, or the lake with 13 fountains.

“On Thursday and Friday, especially on the eve of Jumat Kliwon [the Friday coinciding with Kliwon, one of the five market days in the Javanese calendar], many people are bathing here until late at night or even in the morning,” added Yuwanto.

The nine saints are highly respected, especially by Sunni Muslims, who are members of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Muslim organization.

Therefore during certain months, like before and after the holy month of Ramadan, many people flock to the graves of the nine saints.

Places related to the saints such as the Guci hot spring are also considered sacred.

According to the managers of the hot spring complex, most visitors come from West Java, especially Cirebon and also Bandung, as well as Central Java.

Imam Sutanto, head of tourism management for Guci, told the Post recently that Sunan Gunung Jati was very popular in Cirebon as he was also buried there.

“The [Guci hot spring] visitors believe the water will bring them luck. Some say it will heal any skin disease, boost business prospects, bring good fortune, help get the right spouse, and many other things,” said Imam.

“As for the evidence… I don’t know. But we can’t control or restrict them [from believing this],
either,” he said.

The number of visitors peaks on certain days believed to be “good” in the Islamic faith, between Sa’ban or the month before the holy month of Ramadan, and the Idul Fitri holidays.

“During that period, up to 10,000 people visit the hot springs each day. While during other holidays, about 4,000 to 5,000 visitors daily,” he said.

Although there are two other springs nearby, one with seven fountains and another one with three, most visitors prefer the lake with 13 fountains, Imam said.

“The hot water is natural, it is really good and I feel fresh after having a bath here. I do it just for fun. I am not so sure about the magical effect,” said Rumiati, 34, who is from the bordering regency of Brebes.

Taking a bath in the hot pool is like having a massage, she added, so in the past three years, she visited the hot spring more than 10 times.

Suyatman, 32, a resident from Bandung, West Java, said he often visited the place because of its fresh weather and the beautiful nature surrounding the hot springs. “But what impresses me most is the hot water, which is just natural and clear,” said Suyatman, who brings his family to Guci Tegal at least once a year for a few nights.

How to get there:

The trip from Jakarta to Guci takes six-and-a-half hours by car. From Jakarta, drive to city of Cirebon and Tegal, then from Tegal, it takes another 30 minutes to get to Guci. There are many modes of public transportation serving the Tegal-Guci route, with bus fares costing Rp 5,000.

From Yogyakarta, you can drive through the city of Purwokerto and make it to Tegal in five hours.

Bring warm clothes as temperatures can get chilly. There are many hotels and villas in the surrounding area, priced between Rp 100,000 and Rp 500,000 a night.