Taj Mahal

Almost five o’clock in the afternoon….

I was still guessing, who could be, one of three drivers who would make the last trip of Bas KITē Lane C02. They were joking and intimately chatting at the coffee shop in terminal corner.

I kept watching from the waiting bench behind the Bas KITē queue until finally one of them got up from his seat, headed for the bus and then started the engine to heat it up before starting the journey.

“Oh, he’s the one”, I snapped my fingers.

I quickly intercepted it. “Sir, will the Crystal Mosque be visible from the road when this bus will pass?”, I even intercepted him with a silly question.

“You can’t see the mosque from the road…why?”, he looked surprised by the question I asked.

“If you can’t see it, I won’t be taking this last bus, Sir”, I frowned.

“Do you want to visit the Crystal Mosque?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You can take this bus, I’ll wait five minutes for a quick visitation to the Crystal Mosque. How about mi idea?”.

“Thank you. Okay, I’ll go with you, Sir.”

Negotiations between tourists and city bus drivers were over. Now I had the opportunity even if not long to visit one of the most beautiful mosques in Asia and even the world.

Exactly five o’clock in the afternoon….

I hopped on the Bas KITē from the front door. Handed the 3 Ringgit fare to the driver and started taking seats. Meanwhile, Bas KITē slowly began to leave the Hentian Bas Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu.

Even though my destination was in the west, but that time Bas KITē first went east, picked up some passengers at Shahbandar and Hotel Grand Continental, then turned around at Bulatan Batu Bersurat, Kuala Terengganu, and then Bas KITē went to the west to reach my desired destination, i.e Crystal Mosque.

Bulatan Batu Bersurat Kuala Terengganu at the center of the meeting of four roads, i.e Sultan Ismail Street, Sultan Mahmud Street, Sultan Zainal Abidin Street and Sultan Sulaiman Street.

The atmosphere on Air Jernih Street that afternoon.

Mydin Grand Market seen from Tengku Mizan Street

Slowly but consistently, the Bas KITē drove along the south side of the Terengganu River and approached its destination. Now the bus was starting to move over the bridge connecting Wan Man Island. After crossing the bridge, I was faced with a large gate in front of Taman Tamadun Islam.

The Islamic Gardens Park is an important attraction on that artificial island. This is the first theme park in Malaysia that combines the concepts of religion and tourism, of course the Crystal Mosque is an important part. Along the way through Tamadun Islam Park, the Bus KITē driver explained that in that park there were replicas of the best Islamic structures from around the world such as the Taj Mahal, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock, but I didn’t have time to visit them. .

“Crystal Mosque is near….I’ll stop and wait for you for five minutes…When you’re done, let’s go back again to this bus”, the driver spoke to me while focusing behind the wheel.

“Okay, Sir”, I happily answered.

The bus slowly slowed down and entered a large parking lot. I still didn’t realize that that place was a stop for the Crystal Mosque religious tourist destination.

“The Crystal Mosque is over thereē”, the driver pointed in a direction.

“Okay, Sir”, I quickly got up and got off the bus.

“The five-minute countdown has started”, I thought, my heart beating faster. There was no other way, except to run as fast as possible to the mosque.

The further I ran, the face of the Crystal Mosque was already in sight. And after running past a local young man who was busy documenting the mosque with his tripod, I suddenly stopped.

“Can you take a photo, brother?”, I offered my Canon EOS with a smile.

Without saying anything, the young man smiled back and took my camera. For a moment, his agenda was slightly disturbed by my tacky behavior.

After thanking him, I ran back to the mosque. Within a minute I arrived. Ignoring any crowds, I preferred to stand still watching the mosque, which was mostly made of steel and glass.

I continued to enjoy the mosque with a capacity of 1,500 worshipers from the banks of the Terengganu River. The combination of black and white made the 13-year-old mosque very elegant and eye-catching. This was the first ‘smart’ mosque in Terengganu, the existence of an integrated IT infrastructure that allowed worshipers to access the internet to read the electronic Al-Quran.

Five very precious minutes didn’t expect that with time constraints, I was still allowed to visit the Crystal Mosque.

Four minutes have passed….

One last minute I’ll use to run back to Bas KITē. I didn’t want the driver to leave me and make it even more difficult for me to get public transportation to go home to the inn.

The relief came when the Bas KITē still stopped with a sluggish engine sound and the driver was looking at me while waving his hand as a signal for me to speed up running.

“Hufffttt….I’m tired, Sir”, I jumped from the front door.

“Hahahaha… How about that, how beautiful is the Crystal Mosque?”, he laughed as he slowly stepped on the gas pedal and let the bus go slowly.

“Very good, Sir”, I panted sitting in the front seat on the left side.

Time to back to the inn….

My adventure that day was over….

Tomorrow I would take a long road trip to Kuala Lumpur.

Next Story—->

Lima Menit yang Membahagiakan di Masjid Kristal

24 August 202124 August 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Hampir pukul lima sore….

Aku masih menebak-nebak, siapakah gerangan, satu dari tiga pengemudi yang akan menjalankan trip terakhir Bas KITē laluan C02. Mereka sedang asyik bersenda gurau dan berbincang akrab di kedai kopi pojok terminal.

Aku terus mengamati dari bangku tunggu di belakang antrian Bas KITē hingga akhirnya satu dari mereka beranjak dari tempat duduknya, menuju bus dan kemudian menyalakan mesin untuk memanaskannya sebelum memulai perjalanan.

“Oh, dia orangnya”, aku menjentikkan jari.

Dengan cepat aku mencegatnya. “Pak Cik, apakah Masjid Kristal akan terlihat dari jalan yang akan dilewati bus ini?”, aku bahkan juga mencegatnya dengan sebuah pertanyaan konyol.

“Tak tampak masjid tuh dari jalan…kenapē?”, dia tampak heran dengan pertanyaan yang kulontarkan.

“Jika tak kelihatan, saya tidak jadi ikut naik bus terakhir ini, Pak Cik”, aku mengernyitkan dahi.

“Mau melawat ke Masjid Kristal?”

“Iya, Pak Cik”.

“Kamu bisa ikut bas nih, nanti sayē tunggu lima menit untuk melawat sekejap ke Masjid Kristal. Bagaimanē?”.

“Terimakasih. Baik saya ikut Pak Cik”.

Negosiasi antara turis dan pengemudi bus kota usai sudah. Kini aku punya kesempatan walau tak lama untuk mengunjungi salah satu masjid terindah di Asia bahkan dunia itu.

Tepat pukul lima sore….

Aku melompat menaiki Bas KITē dari pintu depan. Menyerahkan ongkos sebesar 3 Ringgit ke pengemudi dan mulai mengambil tempat duduk. Sementara itu, Bas KITē perlahan-lahan mulai meninggalkan Hentian Bas Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu.

Walau tujuanku ada di barat, tetapi kali ini Bas KITē terlebih dahulu berjalan ke timur, mengambil beberapa penumpang di Shahbandar dan Hotel Grand Continental, baru kemudian berputar di Bulatan Batu Bersurat Kuala Terengganu, dan baru kemudian menujulah Bas KITē ke barat untuk menggapai tujuan yang kuinginkan, yaitu Masjid Kristal.

Bulatan Batu Bersurat Kuala Terengganu, di pusat pertemuan empat ruas jalan, yaitu Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin dan Jalan Sultan Sulaiman.

Perpustakaan Awam Negeri Terengganu terlihat dari Jalan Tengku Mizan.

Pasar Raya Besar Mydin terlihat dari Jalan Tengku Mizan

Perlahan tapi konsisten, Bas KITē melaju di sepanjang sisi selatan Sungai Terengganu dan mendekat ke tujuan. Kini bus mulai melaju di atas jembatan penghubung Pulau Wan Man. Usai melintas jembatan itu, aku dihadapkan pada sebuah gerbang besar di muka Taman Tamadun Islam.

Taman Tamadun Islam adalah daya tarik penting di pulau buatan itu. Inilah theme park pertama di Malaysia yang memadukan konsep agama dan pariwisata, tentu Masjid Kristal menjadi salah satu bagian pentingnya. Sepanjang perjalanan melintas Taman Tamadun Islam, pengemudi Bas KITē menjelaskan bahwa di taman ini tersimpan replika-replika struktur Islam terbaik dari seluruh dunia seperti Taj Mahal, Masjid Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, dan Dome of the Rock, hanya saja aku tak punya waktu lagi untuk mengunjunginya.

“Masjid Kristal sudah dekat….Sayē akan berhenti dan tunggu kamu lima minit sahaje…Jika sudah selesai, kitē berangkat lagi”, pengemudi itu berbicara kepadaku sambil fokus di belakang kemudi.

“Baik, Pak Cik”, aku girang menjawab.

Bus perlahan melambat dan memasuki sebuah lahan parkir yang luas. Aku masih belum menyadari jika tempat ini adalah pemberhentian untuk destinasi wisata religi Masjid Kristal.

“Masjid Kristal ada di sebelah sanē”, pengemudi itu menunjuk ke sebuah arah.

“Baik, Pak Cik”, aku bergegas bangkit dan turun dari bus.

“Hitungan mundur lima menit sudah dimulai”, aku membatin, jantungku berdetak lebih cepat. Tak terpikirkan cara lain, kecuali berlari sekencang mungkin ke arah masjid.

Semakin jauh berlari, muka Masjid Kristal sudah terlihat dalam pandangan. Dan usai berlari melewati seorang pemuda lokal yang sedang sibuk mendokumentasikan masjid dengan tripodnya, aku mendadak berhenti.

“Bisa tolong ambil foto, bang?”, aku meyodorkan Canon EOSku sembari melempar senyum.

Tanpa bercakap apapun, pemuda itu balik melempar senyum dan mengambil kameraku. Untuk beberapa saat, agendanya sedikit terganggu dengan ulahku yang kampungan itu.

Usai mengucapkan terimakasih kepadanya, aku kembali berlari menuju masjid. Dalam satu menit aku pun tiba. Menghiraukan keramaian apapun, aku lebih memilih berdiri terpaku memperhatikan masjid yang sebagian besar bahannya terdiri dari baja dan kaca itu.

Aku terus menikmati masjid berkapasitas 1.500 jama’ah itu dari tepian Sungai Terengganu. Perpaduan warna hitam dan putih, menjadikan masjid berusia 13 tahun itu sangat anggun nan mempesona mata. Inilah masjid ‘pintar‘ pertama di Terengganu, keberadaan infrastruktur IT yang terintegrasi memungkinkan jama’ah bisa mengakses internet untuk membaca Al-Quran elektronik.

Lima menit yang sangat berharga, tak menyangka bahwa dengan keterbatasan waktu, aku masih diperkenankan untuk mengunjungi Masjid Kristal.

Empat menit sudah berlalu….

Satu menit terakhir akan kugunakan untuk berlari kembali menuju Bas KITē. Aku tak mau pengemudi itu meninggalkanku dan membuatku semakin susah mendapatkan kendaraan umum untuk pulang menuju penginapan.

Kelegaan itu membuncah ketika Bas KITē masih berhenti dengan suara mesin yang langsam dan pengemudinya jelas melihat ke arahku sambil melambaikan tangan sebagai penanda bagiku untuk mempercepat lari.

“Hufffttt….Capek, Pak Cik”, aku melompat dari pintu depan.

“Hahahaha….Bagaimanē, elok kah Masjid Kristal tu?”, dia tertawa sembari pelan menginjak gas dan membiarkan bus melaju pelan.

“Bagus banget, Pak Cik”, aku terengah duduk di kursi paling depan sisi kiri.

Saatnya pulang….

Petualanganku hari itu telah usai….

Esok hari aku akan melakukan perjalanan darat nan panjang menuju Kuala Lumpur.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Bertolak ke Masjid Agung An-Nur dari Pecinan

21 February 202127 February 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Kusempatkan memejamkan mata sejenak begitu menyelesaikan proses check-in di Hotel Sri Indrayani. Semalam yang tak nyenyak di bangku tengah Bus INTRA, bersambung dengan empat jam berjalan kaki demi mengeksplorasi daerah Senapelan telah membuat otot betisku kelelahan dan mataku terasa berat.

Smartphone yang masih mengisi ulang daya itu pun berteriak membangunkanku, tepat satu jam sebelum Shalat Ashar. Waktu shalat memang menjadi pilihan sebagai penanda mula untuk kelanjutan petualanganku di Pekanbaru. Itu karena aku memilih untuk mengunjungi sebuah masjid termegah di seantero Provinsi Riau atau boleh dikatakan sebagai salah satu yang termegah di tanah air.

Tak mengulur lagi keterlambatan bersantap siang, aku menyusuri daerah Pecinan di sepanjang Jalan Dr. Leimena yang tak jauh dari gerbang hotel, hingga menemukan sebuah kedai yang memaparkan harum rempah dan terlihat sangat ramai pengunjung. Seluruh bangku di lantai bawah ruko itu hampir penuh dan tanpa pikir panjang aku segera menduduki satu bangku diantaranya.

Mie dengan tauge bercampur potongan lontong, udang, telur dan diwangikan dengan taburan bawang goreng…beuhhh, nikmat

Menenggak pelan asam manis es jeruk dingin menjadikan tubuh mendingin sejenak di panasnya kota. Dan tepat di tegukan terakhir, ojek online itu datang menjemputku.

Menuju ke tenggara sejauh tiga kilometer dan tiba di gerbangnya tepat dua puluh menit sebelum waktu Ashar tiba. Begitu banyak polisi di halaman masjid yang tampak tengah mengamankan sebuah agenda penting siang itu. Setiap kendaraan yang masuk area masjid tak luput dari pemeriksaan ketat.

“Mau kemana, Bang”, tegur polisi muda bersenjata laras panjang di gerbang masuk. “Shalat Ashar, pak”, password yang begitu ampuh untuk melewati pemeriksaan itu.

Kubah bak gasing terbalik dan pohon-pohon kurma itu….Hmmmhh.

Aku belum juga memasuki ruangan masjid. Sibuk di pelataran menikmati keindahan arsitektur yang tersaji di depan mata. Masjid dominan hijau berusia setengah abad dengan luas area yang kuperkirakan lebih dari sepuluh hektar…..Sungguh, luas sekali.

Lihat saja bagaimana lapangnya salah satu sisi *parking lot*.

Mughal masih saja menjadi corak arsitektur yang mendominasi, lengkungan-lengkungan khasnya mirip lengkungan pada persemayaman terakhir Mumtaz Mahal di Agra. Sedangkan nuansa sekeliling masjid sedikit mengadopsi atmosfer Masjidil Haram di Mekkah dan Masjid Nabawi di Madinah.

Corak Melayu disematkan oleh warna hijau pada bangunan utama, warna merah pada ornamen di menara dan kuning emas pada ormanen interior beserta seni kaligrafinya. Lalu adat Melayu digambarkan pada lantai dua tingkat dengan beranda dibawah. Mengadopsi konsep rumah panggung Melayu.

Rukun Islam dilambangkan pada lima kubah dan kepemimpian Khilafah sahabat Nabi direpresentasikan pada empat menara.

Kini aku bersiap untuk beribadah Ashar, menyucikan diri di lantai bawah dan menaiki tangga demi tangga menuju ruang peribadatan utama di lantai kedua. Atmosfer di dalam yang begitu khusyu’, membuatku merasa bersyukur karena masih diberikan kesempatan untuk mengunjungi rumah Tuhan yang megah ini.

Enam pilar raksasa berdasar hijau dan berlapis putih di bagian atas.

Kulamakan waktu dudukku di bagian belakang untuk menikmati ikon wisata religi Provinsi Riau yang konon bisa menampung hampir lima ribu jama’ah.

Karya arsitektur kenamaan di Pekanbaru ini tak lepas dari tangan dingin Kaharuddin Nasution, Gubernur kedua Provinsi Riau yang memindahkan Ibukota Provinsi dari Tanjung Pinang di Pulau Bintan ke Pekanbaru pada tahun 1960-an. Perpindahan itu tentu membawa konsekuensi baginya untuk memfasilitasi kegiatan keagamaan mayoritas masyarakat yang notabene memeluk agama Islam. Oleh karena itulah Sang Gubernur merasa penting untuk menghadirkan Masjid Agung An-Nur ini.

Keren ya……

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

7 Destinasi Wisata Pekanbaru

17 January 20218 May 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Memasuki Pekanbaru, semua penumpang Bus INTRA diturunkan di sebuah bangunan warung non-permanen berbahan kayu warna hijau. Memasuki bagian belakang warung makan, deretan panjang kamar mandi sederhana memudahkanku untuk berbasuh muka dan besiap diri untuk mengeksplorasi “Kota Madani”.

Memasuki jalanan kota untuk pertama kalinya diatas jok ojek online, aku mulai menyimpan rasa penasaran tentang apa saja yang bisa kukunjungi di kota. Hingga akhirnya aku tiba di lobby Hotel Sri Indrayani lebih cepat dari jadwal check-in. Setelah mengisi daya kamera dan smartphone hingga beberapa cell bar di restoran hotel, aku segera mengayun langkah ke beberapa spot terdekat.

RTH Tunjuk Ajar Integritas

Tak jauh, setengah kilometer di barat laut hotel ada sebuah taman yang cukup terkenal di Pekanbaru. Adalah Ruang Terbuka Hijau Tunjuk Ajar Integritas yang menjadi play ground favorit bagi warga kota yang pembangunannya didedikasikan untuk program perlawanan korupsi dalam pemerintahan daerah.

Belum juga tengah hari, udara panas mulai terasa. Memaksaku untuk berteduh di tepian taman. Masih sepi pengunjung, mengingat aku tak berkunjung saat weekend.

2. Sungai Siak

Melanjutkan langkah, aku turun ke Jalan Wakaf sebelum akhirnya dituntun oleh seorang polantas untuk berbelok ke kanan melewati Jalan Jembatan Siak I dan mencapai tepian Sungai Siak.

Mengunjungi Sungai Siak dan membayangkan kejayaan serta kemakmuran Kesultanan Siak Sri Indrapura yang pernah berdiri di tepian sungai adalah hal yang menarik minatku untuk menjadikannya sebagai salah satu destinasi kali ini

3. Rumah Singgah Tuan Kadi

Masih berkelana di sepanjang sungai, kini aku menuju ke Jembatan Siak II. Khalayak menyebutnya sebagai Jembatan Sultan Muhammad Ali Abdul Jalil Muazzam Syah, diambil dari nama Sultan ke-5 Kesultanan Siak.

Tertegun memandangi bangunan di bawah jembatan, rumah asli sejak era keemasan Kesultanan Siak. Situs pariwisata ini dikenal dengan nama Rumah Singgah Tuan Kadi. Kadi atau Qadhi sendiri adalah gelar tersohor pada masa kesultanan. Pemilik awal rumah ini adalah Qadhi Haji Zakaria bin Haji Abdul Muthalib yang pernah menjabat sebagai Ketua Kerapatan Syariah Kesultanan Siak.

Pernah menjadi tempat singgah Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Sultan Siak ke-12.

4. Masjid Raya Nur Alam

Matahari mulai tergelincir dari posisi tertingginya, artinya aku sudah bisa memasuki kamar Hotel Sri Indrayani. Mengambil arah tenggara, aku berniat mampir untuk bershalat Dzuhur di Masjid Raya Nur Alam sebelum tiba di penginapan.

Masjid peninggalan Kesultanan Siak Sri Indrapura ini masih berdiri kokoh dengan kubah kuningnya sebagai simbol kebesaran Melayu. Rasa-rasanya, rakyat Pekanbaru pantas berterimakasih kepada Sultan Abdul Jalil Alamuddin Syah, Sultan Siak keempat yang mendirikan masjid megah ini.

5. Masjid Agung An-Nur

Panas kota mulai mereda apalagi aku sudah selesai berbasuh badan di hotel. Selesai menyantap makan siang maka aku melanjutkan eksplorasi. Setelah mengunjungi masjid tertua, kini aku menuju ke masjid termegah di Provinsi Riau.

Kelelahan telah berjalan hampir 4 km, aku memilih menggunakan ojek online saja menuju Masjid Agung An-Nur, dua kilomoter ke tenggara.

Masjid Agung An-Nur sendiri telah menjadi icon religi Provinsi Riau sejak tahun pertama dibangun, yaitu tahun 1963. Pastikan kamu tak terlewat mengunjunginya jika berada di Pekanbaru.

6. RTH Putri Kaca Mayang

Berikutnya, aku bergegas menuju ke pusat kota. Pilihanku berikutnya adalah Ruang Terbuka Hijau (RTH) Putri Kaca Mayang. Terletak di sebuah sisi jalan protokol kota Pekanbaru, taman ini terlihat lebih rapi dari taman pertama yang ku kunjungi.

Nama taman diambil dari nama seorang putri dalam dongeng yang melegenda di masyarakat.

Waktu yang sudah menggelincir ke arah sore, satu persatu warga terlihat mendatangi taman untuk sekedar melepas penat atau mengajak anak-anak untuk menghabiskan waktu dengan bermain di sekitar taman.

7. Jalan Jenderal Sudirman.

Seperti nama jalan yang sama di Jakarta, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman di Pekanbaru juga memainkan peran sebagai jalan protokol di kota Pekanbaru.

Sebagai jalan utama tentu banyak hal yang bisa dinikmati di sepanjangnya. lebarnya ruas jalan dengan sibuknya lalu lalang kendaraan dihiasi oleh arsitektur bangunan-bangunan mentereng di kedua sisinya menjadikan Jalan Jenderal Sudirman menjadi spot fotografi yang layak dikunjungi.

Perpustakaan Soeman HS, Menara Lancang Kuning, Kantor Gubernur Riau dan Menara Dang Merdu adalah arsitektur yang tampak mencolok dan berbeda dari bangunan-bangunan lain di sepanjang Jalan Jenderal Sudirman.

Jalan berhiaskan asmaul husna di sepanjang tepinya.

Yuk, berlibur ke Pekanbaru.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Heading to An-Nur Great Mosque from Chinatown

6 June 202018 May 2020travelingpersecond

I took a moment to close my eyes after I finished check-in process at Sri Indrayani Hotel. An uneasy night on a middle bench of INTRA Bus, continued for four hours on foot to explore Senapelan area had made my calf muscles exhausted and my eyes felt heavy.

My smartphone which was still charging, shouted to wake me up, exactly one hour before Asr Prayer. Prayer times was indeed an option as a starting marker for continuation of my journey in Pekanbaru. That was because I chose to visit the grandest mosque in the whole of Riau Province or it could be said as one of the grandest in the country.

No longer postpone for late lunch, I went through Chinatown along Dr. Leimena Street which isn’t far from my hotel gate, until I found a small restaurant which exposed fragrant spices and looked very crowded. Its entire seat in downstairs was almost full and without long thinking, I immediately occupied one seat in between.

Noodles with bean sprouts mixed with lontong (Indonesian compressed rice), shrimps, eggs and fragrant with a sprinkling of fried onions….Hmmh, delicious.

Slowly drinking a sweet-sour of cold-orange juice made my body felt cool for a moment in the middle of city heat. And right at a last sip, an online motorcycle taxi came to pick me up.

Heading southeast for three kilometers and arrive at the gate exactly twenty minutes before Asr Prayer arrived. So many police officers in mosque courtyard, it seemed to be securing an important agenda that afternoon. Every vehicle which entered mosque area didn’t escape from strict inspection.

“Where are you going, Sir?” a young policeman which armed with long barrel gun said at entrance gate. “Asr prayer, Sir“, a password was so effective for passing the inspection.

Domes like an upside down “*spinning top*” and that palm trees….Hmmmhh, nice.

I hadn’t entered yet the mosque room. Busy in courtyard to enjoy the beauty of architecture which was presented in front of my eyes. A greeny dominant mosque which is a half of century old with large area which I estimate to be more than ten hectares….Really, very vast.

Just look at how spacious a parking lot side is?

The Mughals are still be dominant architectural style in it, its distinctive arches resembling arches of Mumtaz Mahal’s tomb in Agra. While nuances around the mosque was slightly adopted Al-Masjidil Al-Haram atmosphere in Mecca and Al-Masjid An-Nabawi in Medina.

The Malay style is embedded to green color of main building, red color on tower ornaments and yellow gold color on interior ornament and calligraphy. Then the Malay custom is depicted on two levels of floor with veranda below. It adopts a concept of Malay’s houses on stilts.

Five pillars of Islam are symbolized by five domes and leadership of Prophet’s Caliph is represented on four towers.

Now I was preparing to Asr Prayer, purified myself on lower floor and then climbed stair by stair leading to main worship room on second floor. The atmosphere inside was so solemn, it made me feel grateful because I was still given an opportunity to visit this magnificent God house.

Six giant pillars with green color in base layer and white on top layer.

I made my sitting time so long in the back to enjoy this iconic religious tourism of Riau Province which is said able to accommodate almost five thousand worshipers.

This famous architectural creation in Pekanbaru can’t be separated from Kaharuddin Nasution cold hands, the second Riau Province Governor who moved Provincial Capital from Tanjung Pinang on Bintan Island to Pekanbaru in the 1960s. Certainly, this displacement had consequences for him to facilitate religious activities of residents majority who in fact embraced Islam. That is why the Governor felt it was important to present An-Nur Great Mosque.

Cool……

7 Tourist Attractions in Pekanbaru

17 May 202010 May 2020travelingpersecond

Entering Pekanbaru, all INTRA Bus passengers were unloaded in a non-permanent restaurant building which is made from green colour wood. Entering in back of restaurant, long row of simple bathrooms made me easy to washing my face and preparing myself to explore “Madani City“.

Entering city’s roads for the first time on an online motorcycle taxi seat, I began to save my curiosity about destinations which I could visit in the city. Until I finally arrived at Sri Indrayani Hotel lobby before check-in schedule. After charging my camera and smartphone to several cell bars in the hotel restaurant, I immediately swung my steps to nearest spots.

Tunjuk Ajar Integritas Park

Not far away, half a kilometer to northwest of hotel, there is a fairly well-known park in Pekanbaru. It is Tunjuk Ajar Integritas Park which has became a favorite play ground for city residents whice its development is dedicated to corruption resistance program in local government.

Not yet midday, hot air began to feel. Forcing me to took a shelter on park edge. Visitors was still quiet, considering I didn’t visit on weekend.

2. Siak River

Continuing my steps, I went down to Wakaf Street before finally being led by a traffic policeman to turn right and passing Jembatan Siak I street then reached edge of Siak River.

Visiting Siak River and imagining the glory and prosperity of Siak Sri Indrapura Sultanate who once stood on this river edge was a thing that was interested me to made it as one of my destinations this time.

3. Tuan Kadi’s Halfway House

Still wandering along the river, now I headed to Siak II Bridge. People call it as Bridge of Sultan Muhammad Ali Abdul Jalil Muazzam Syah, taken from name of the 5th Sultan of Siak Sultanate.

Stunned to stare at a building under the bridge, an original house since golden era of Siak Sultanate. This tourism site is known in the name Tuan Kadi’s Halfway House. Kadi or Qadhi itself is a famous title during the sultanate. The first owner of this house is Qadhi Haji Zakaria bin Haji Abdul Muthalib who had served as Chairperson of Siak Sultanate’s Shariah Deliberative Board.

It was once be a stopover for Sultan Syarif Kasim II, the 12th Sultan.

4. Nur Alam Grand Mosque

The sun began to slip from its highest position, meaning that I was able to entering Sri Indrayani Hotel’s room. Taking southeast direction, I intended to stop by and praying Dzuhur at Nur Alam Grand Mosque before arriving at hotel.

The relic mosque of Siak Sri Indrapura Sultanate still firmly stands with its yellow dome as a symbol of Malay greatness. It feels, Pekanbaru residents worth give a thank to Sultan Abdul Jalil Alamuddin Syah, the fourth Sultan who had built this magnificent mosque.

5. An-Nur Great Mosque

The heat of city began to subside, especially after I finished to bathing in hotel. Finishing lunch then I continued my exploration. After visiting the oldest mosque, now I headed to the grandest mosque in Riau Province.

Exhausted after walking almost 4 km, I chose to use an online motorcycle taxi towards An-Nur Great Mosque, two kilometers to southeast.

An-Nur Great Mosque itself has been a religious icon of Riau Province since the first year it was built, in 1963. Make sure that you don’t miss to visiting it when you are in Pekanbaru.

6. Putri Kaca Mayang Park

Next, I hurried to downtown. My next choice was Putri Kaca Mayang Park. Located on a side of Pekanbaru’s protocol street, this park looked more presentable than the first park which I visited.

The park name is taken from a princess name in a legendary tale in society.

Time that had slipped towards afternoon, one by one residents were seen coming to the park to just releasing fatigue or bringing their children to spending time by playing around the park.

7. Jenderal Sudirman Street

Like the same street name in Jakarta, Jenderal Sudirman Street in Pekanbaru also plays a role as a protocol road in the city.

As a main road, of course there are many things which can be enjoyed along the way. Road width with busy passing of vehicles is decorated by classy buildings architecture on both sides made Jenderal Sudirman street as a photography spot which worth to visiting.

The Soeman HS Library, Lancang Kuning Tower, Riau Governor’s Office and Dang Merdu Tower are architectures which look striking and different from other buildings along Jenderal Sudirman Street.

The road is decorated with Asmaul Husna along its edge.

Come on, vacation to Pekanbaru!

Eight Facets in Al Mashun Grand Mosque Architecture

23 April 202014 April 2020travelingpersecond

That green mosque with dominant white was clearly visible from Maimun Palace gate. It’s a 111 years old mosque which is be a memory of Deli Sultanate greatness. According to story, Sultan wanted to build a mosque more beautiful than the palace where he lived as a service for religion. So the palace and mosque are an architectural package which were planned by Sultan Deli which you must visit when you are in Medan.

Impatient steps made me sweaty panting and my back was increasingly achy because burdened by a backpack which even I have carried for 4 hours since leave Kualanamu International Airport.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight….Oh, eight facets“, I murmured in heart when I got around outside of the oldest mosque in Medan. The main dome with dark color is surrounded by three twin domes. A unique form and rarely found in any mosque.

Sultan Ma’mun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alam needed for 3 years for finishing the building.

Dhuhr azan reprimanded me for immediately turning off the camera and purifying myself with wudu (ablution) in a separate building at east of mosque.

After put my shoes, I walked on a rubber track into mosque’s worship room. I was looking around and admiring mosque’s interior which is very charming.

Able to accommodate 1,500 worshipers at a time.

Eight buffer pillars are coated by marble which was imported from Itali by the architect – Mr. Tingdeman -. Combined with the elegance of a chandelier from France which its form like a reverse birthday cake. Then walls on every sides consist of doors with Spanish arch style and are completed with large stained glass from China. Then islamic nuances of Taj Mahal are represented on wall motifs and pulpit (minbar) carvings….AMAZING.

Al Mashun Grand Mosque dome are black from outside.

After Dhuhr prayer, I watched an Aussie tour group who visited the mosque using hijab which were provided by the mosque. They looked fascinated when entering mosque’s door.

Some mosque worshipers were seen heading to tombs on west side and made a pilgrimage to Sultan tombs. Al Mashun Grand Mosque looked solemn inside and outside.

Do you know the meaning of word “Al Mashun”…. “maintained” is the meaning of its name.

Pedestrian bridge which its shape is influenced by mosque architecture.

I tried to approach Sisingamangaraja street to enjoy the mosque from a distance. Its beauty increasingly become when I observed it from pedestrian bridge

Madani Hotel is in across of the mosque. See!. It have a dome too….Beautiful.

See Al Mashun Grand Mosque situation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGM70L6JeaQ

That was my adventure in Medan’s second destination….Come with me again to another good destination !.

Tracing Shah Jahan, Enjoying Taj Mahal at Mehtab Bagh

22 March 202018 March 2020travelingpersecond

After tired in taking care of Mughal government, I usually head to Taj Mahal to monitor progress of its construction. In afternoon, I invited some Taj Mahal workers to cross Yamuna river and I continued to take shelter under trees in a field to enjoy Taj Mahal which stood majestically doused by orange-red sunset….So beautiful, I imagined it. Imagine?….Yes, because I’m not Shah Jahan. Only he who can do that activity in the past. Who am I ?….Haha.

Taj Mahal was captured from Mehtab Bagh.

I arrived after 10 minutes earlier still exploring Itimad ud Daulah in Northwest Mehtab Bagh. The beautiful and spacious garden hadn’t stolen yet my attention, because I was more interested in old man action who flipping through his fried food so that it gave off aroma of arouse my appetite. No wonder, many people were willing to queue to taste it. I paid for USD 0.75 to redeem and devour it, hot french fries with a faint aroma of curry became my snack menu before entering Mehtab Bagh.

I immediately headed to gate and buying a ticket for USD 3. Suddenly amazed by park condition. Neatly arranged pathway is embellished with an elongated flower column in the middle. Also facilitated by benches in several spots. All benches were almost all occupied by many Indian young couple who were infected by romance. I couldn’t dismiss it, because the park was very romantic, as its name mean. You know the meaning of “Mehtab Bagh”words?….Mehtab Bagh has same meaning as Moonlight Garden….Wouw..

When many young people looked at each other’s interests, I was more interested in going to right of park. Because from distance, appearance of Taj Mahal was so eye-catching. Now I just found out, why Shah Jahan often spends his afternoon to just look at his project here. He even intended to make a black twin Taj Mahal in Mehtab Bagh. But his intention was canceled because he was caught and be a house arrest at Agra Fort after coup by his own son. His son was worried about their kingdom finances which his father was prone to spend it for realizing his intention to build black Taj mahal.

Look at that foundation!….Forerunner of Black Taj Mahal which failed.

All visitors exactly feel safe when in park, because two young armed soldiers patrolled around park to secure its situation.

Soldier: “Where are you come from?”, asked with smile.

Me: “Indonesia, Sir”, answered with simle too.

Soldier: “How about Taj Mahal?. It’s good. Are you happy?”

Me: “Yes, Sir. It’s beautiful. I Love it”, answered.

Soldier: “Enjoy”

Me: “Thanks Sir”.

I couldn’t really head to Yamuna river bank because It was restricted with iron wires. I saw an european tourist look professional when taking out long binocular DSLR and capturing lots of Taj Mahal pictures from various sides which he liked, right in front of wire fence. I just imagined that one day I could have a camera like that and travel around the world then taking great pictures for you to see. By the way, finally 3 months later I had a Canon EOS M10 mirrorles camera. Not as good as his, but enough for me who have small salary to capture better pictures….Hahaha.

The wire fence and the European tourist….Hmmm.

It was enough to imitate Shah Jahan actions at Mehtab Bagh. Now I would see Agra Fort where Shah Jahan is imprisoned….Sad ending.

Itimad ud Daulah….Taj Mahal Blueprint

18 March 202012 March 2020travelingpersecond

Description: D:BLUE PRINTtravelingpersecondBaby Taj 01.JPG — Itimad ud Daulah

Taj Mahal is may be an famous heritage on earth. But actually behind its fame, there is an architectural creation which the world has agreed that It is a Taj Mahal’s blueprint. This prototype is in Itimad ud Daulah.

Very grateful, I had an opportunity to visit it on that afternoon. Like a surprise when reading a novel. This time, The Preliminary Chapter began with a suddenly appearing of donkey rows carrying red bricks which was accompanied by the owner’s song. Amazed to see donkeys which were saying “excuse me” in front of me. This is my first time in seeing this animal about a meter in front. The owner just smiled to me when he saw me gaping without blinking eyes while pressing record button of my mobile phone.

Spending USD 2.8, I entered into “Baby Taj” yard. (“Baby Taj” is a favorite call for Itimad ud Daulah).

If Taj Mahal belongs to Mumtaz Mahal, then Itimad ud Daulah belongs to Mirza Ghiyas Beg who is none other than Mumtaz Mahal’s grandfather . Taj Mahal was built by Mumtaz Mahal’s husband, then Itimad ud Daulah was built by Nur Jahan who was Ghiyas Beg’s son.

Here it is the grave of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife.

Tracking it part by part, my mind confirmed that Itimad ud Daulah was a mini form of Taj Mahal. Not exactly same but its architecture, interior and exterior design are close to similar. Still the same, It is relying on white marble as main display.

The weather began to warm, making me comfortably sat while enjoying the beauty of this mausoleum. This time, my gaze was slightly interrupted by the arrival of a beautiful tourist with long blond hair. It wasn’t her face which teased me, but my admiration for her effort to came to Itimad ud Daulah in her condition with crutches and casts that indicated there was a severe injury in her right leg. She struggled to sit on the ground while directing her DSLR to and fro. Occasionally interspersed by reading Lonely Planet which was issued from her small backpack. Unfortunately, I didn’t dare to say hello. Her beauty makes me stunned….Damn, I was a coward backpacker.

Closing Chapter of Itimad ud Daulah’s exploration began with stepping to a gate on right side. I was really fascinated by the vast expanse of a river which began to dry up. I certainly knew that it is Yamuna river which is considered by Indian Hindus to be Goddess Yamuna, the Goddess who is believed to be able to free them from death torments when purifying themself with its water.

The gate is directly adjacent to Yamuna river.

So….Yamuna River was my exploration closing session in Itimad ud Daulah. Curious in waiting for various surprises for the beauty of Agra architecture in other locations which I will visit until late afternoon.

Stepping out, I began to open my map and stirred my intention to visit Mehtab Bagh, a charming park which was the best point to enjoy the beauty of Taj Mahal.

Let me show you where it is!

Total Failure when Visiting Taj Mahal

14 March 20208 March 2020travelingpersecond

My passionate spirit of visiting Taj Mahal which wasn’t higher than my trifling guts of conquering cold of every drop of water which coming out from GoStops Agra’ shower, had embarrassed myself on a saturday morning.

Needle is exactly on number 7, a taxi which we rented for full-day through sharing costs arrived and the driver was waiting in hostel’s lobby while tightly holding his hands as a sign that he had been hit by a stabbing cold weather in streets.

Do you want to know our white taxi rent fare?….Sure….USD 17.8 divided by four people. So, I had to give USD 4.4 as my transportation budget that day.

Brushing my teeth without bathing, I approached and talked while waiting for 3 other tourists to come down. “No need long time to reach Taj Mahal, brother“, he said first while shaking his head in Indian style to open a conversation that morning. “Nice“, I said while busy fixing my winter jacket and syall which coiled around my neck.

Ten minutes later, his exhaust fumes began to acquiring thick fog along Agra-Bah Road. Sure enough as he said, 15 minutes later he asked us to come down and point to a bajaj with fare about for USD 2.9 to continuing our journey to Taj Majal Eastern Gate. No problem with price because we finally rode that bajaj with all of us….Oh No, we were unpolite tourist….Hahaha.

At 7:30 a.m, tourists queued to hunt for tickets with fare for about USD 7.2.

What a fool!….Blindly curiosity had closed my logic that morning. Never clearly thought since leaving my hostel that thick fog storm in Agra would perfectly close Taj Mahal courtyard….Ah, I annoyance stood with a long sigh at Taj Mahal entrance. Not able to see anything 10 meters ahead. Only a thick fog which made me slowly freeze.

There was no choice, like it or not, I had to start exploring Taj Mahal with a definite guarantee that I would never fully enjoy its beauty.

I started slowly up the stairs and entering first gate of that famous site. The first gate is named Jilau Khana.

The area around Jilau Khana or often called Forecourt.

What happened was really out of reason. I haven’t finished yet in enjoying Jilau Khana’s red bricks, my automatic footsteps were unstoppable in approaching main building. Taj Mahal like a magnet for anyone who visits it.

Connecting road between Jilau Khana and main gate

Before arriving at main building….About 100 meters later, I reached the grand Main Gate.

Its name is Darwaza-i-rauza or often called Great Gate.

Tourists complaints began to hear while blaming the mist. “I can’t take a picture“, He complained to his fellow friends. Wry smile, I didn’t care about same disappointment.

Look at carvings inside the Darwaza-i-rauza!

Then, where is Taj Mahal main building which is always hunted by world travelers?

Yup….350 meters at north of Darwaza-i-rauza is Taj Mahal location, the tomb of two legendary “lovebirds“. Shah Jahan as the king and Mumtaz Mahal as the “Persian descent” empress who have a extraordinary beauty.

Not long, I immediately put a shoe cover then I got ready to entering Taj Mahal

Shoe cover will be given when buying a ticket.

Like the commonly mosque, Taj Mahal is equipped with four minarets on each side. The greatness of Mughal kingdom is reflected in every inch of Taj Mahal which composed from white marble which was specially imported from Rajashtan and sapphires which was sent from Sri Lanka.

Minaret as high as 40 meters with a cylindrical wall.

Another intriguing thing when visiting Taj Mahal was when each visitor regularly walked to follow a path which had been made by officers to enjoy each side of Taj Mahal main room where Mumtaz Mahal tomb is located. Three heavily armed police closely watched every visitor. Sometimes they gave order to some tourists to immediately move because taking photos for a long time could make a path to be stuck.

Beautiful art of calligraphy in Taj Mahal.

Such is the fact, the 372-year-old Taj Mahal is indeed charming. No wonder, 4 million tourists are interested in visiting it every year.

After enjoying Taj Mahal, then I immediately retreated and returned to eastern gate for approaching taxi which was waiting for me.

Tag: Taj Mahal

Happy Five Minutes at the Crystal Mosque

Lima Menit yang Membahagiakan di Masjid Kristal

Bertolak ke Masjid Agung An-Nur dari Pecinan

7 Destinasi Wisata Pekanbaru

Heading to An-Nur Great Mosque from Chinatown

7 Tourist Attractions in Pekanbaru

Eight Facets in Al Mashun Grand Mosque Architecture

Tracing Shah Jahan, Enjoying Taj Mahal at Mehtab Bagh

Itimad ud Daulah….Taj Mahal Blueprint

Total Failure when Visiting Taj Mahal