Traces of women's struggles in the era of the Khadiri kingdom

    Located in the middle of a sugarcane field in Sukorejo Village, Gurah District, Kediri Regency, this historic site is shrouded in unforgettable horror stories. The 200 square meter land is believed to be Calon Arang's place of origin. She is the widow of a deadly plague spreader, which killed thousands of Kediri residents during the reign of King Airlangga in the 12th century.

    The Calon Arang site is in a fairly hidden location. The only access to the site can only be reached by motorbike or on foot because it is in the middle of a lush sugar cane plantation. At the end of the path you will find a building in the form of a pendapa which stores a number of archaeological objects. Ganesa statues, pedestals or house foundations, and small cylindrical stone blocks, are believed to be evidence of Calon Arang's existence. Right to the north of the pendopa, there are also semi-statue stones which have been carved in several parts. The scattered stones are under a preh tree and fenced with an iron frame.

    Groups of pilgrims from Bali usually visit the Calon Arang site in the month of Suro in the Javanese calendar. In one visit, the number of residents of the Island of the Gods who came reached hundreds of people. "The land at the Calon Arang site was even wanted to be bought by the Balinese, but the owner didn't allow it," said Agus (site caretaker).

    The story of Calon Arang continues to be discussed in Bali, rather than in her native land, Java. In Balinese tradition, the story of the magic widow is written in a geguritan script called Serat Calon Arang. The song was written on 51 sheets of palm leaves using Balinese script in 1462 Saka or 1540 AD. Written evidence of Calon Arang's existence is currently stored in the National Library. "The Hindu Balinese people honor Calon Arang as a mother who maintains the image of a woman," said Zaenuri, who is also the caretaker at the Calon Arang site. In terms of management, the Calon Arang site has been under the auspices of the Kediri Regency Tourism Office since 2018. In terms of operational maintenance and supervision of the cultural heritage, the agency is working with the government of Sukorejo Village, Gurah. Among them recruiting residents like Zaenuri and Agus to become caretakers.

    Even though it is spiritually believed to be Calon Arang's residence, unfortunately this has not been proven archaeologically. At the site, there was not a single clue that confirmed that this place had anything to do with Calon Arang. In fact, some of the carved stones do not reveal information like inscriptions or other ancient texts. This was confirmed by the Kediri Regency Tourism Office through an information board in the south of the pendapa. The board reads that in the study of archeology, this site cannot be called the remains of Calon Arang or Nyi Girah. However, the local wisdom of the community is still well preserved along with the existence of this site.

    In 2012, a joint excavation was held between the Yogyakarta Archaeological Center, the East Java BPCB, and the Kediri Regency Disbudpar. The results obtained are the discovery of brick structures on the east and north of the site. The structure is thought to have been built during the Majapahit period in 1293-1478 AD. Although there is no archaeological evidence yet, the site is trusted because there is a match in terms of toponymy or the naming of the area. In the Calon Arang fiber, he is said to live in the village of Girah or Dirah which is similar to the name Gurah in Kediri Regency. In addition, belief through storytelling is embedded in the minds of the people of Kediri and Bali. A widow named Calon Arang is remembered as a parent who desperately defended her child, Ratna Manggali. Calon Arang felt humiliated when no one wanted to marry her child. Devotees of Goddess Durga then spread a terrible plague as a way of protecting the family's dignity.