Solving the Mystery of the Disappearance of Ganesha Statue in Mount Bromo Crater

Kapanlagi.com - The Probolinggo Police have confirmed that the missing Ganesha statue from the edge of Mount Bromo crater fell into the crater. Evidence was found in the form of a yellow cloth covering the statue, which was still tied as it was originally.

Probolinggo Police Chief, AKBP Teuku Arsya Khadafi, said that the yellow cloth was strong evidence that the statue fell into the mountain crater. The cloth was found together with other cloth pieces.

"This white cloth is a covering for the statue and its private parts. One of the clues is this yellow cloth. This yellow cloth is tied to the body of the Ganesha statue. So, if this cloth is released with the knot open, then it was intentionally released," explained AKBP Teuku Arsya Khadafi as quoted on Sunday (21/5).

1. Condition When Found

Ganesha statue is confirmed to have fallen into the Bromo Mountain crater / Credit Photo: KapanLagi.com - Darmadi Sasongko

The cloth was found not far from the position of the altar or the initial position of the statue. The condition of the yellow cloth was still tied in its original knot.

"The condition is still tied in a knot. Tied like this, and also this cloth is on a slope," explained Arsya while showing the knot of the cloth.

Based on this evidence, Arsya concluded that the Ganesha statue disappeared not because it was taken or stolen by someone. The statue, which was located on the edge of the crater, fell and entered the bottom of the crater.

"Based on our findings, we conclude that the Ganesha statue in Bromo Crater was not lost because it was taken, but because it fell into the crater," he said.

To take the statue, it is certain that the cloth must be removed or the knot of the cloth must be untied. However, the cloth was found in a condition still tied in a knot.

"This untying must untie the knot. Whereas this was found in a condition still tied. It could be possible because it fell, and because the material is a concrete mixture with such a height, it broke," he emphasized.

2. Eliminate Speculation

Ganesha statue is confirmed to have fallen into the Bromo Mountain crater / Credit Photo: KapanLagi.com - Darmadi Sasongko

In addition, the condition of the cloth is still sandy, which is most likely the remaining sand from the broken statue. From this conclusion, it is hoped to end the predictions that are circulating in society.

"So this can end the predictions that exist. Because this cloth is the direct binder on the body of the Ganesha statue and it was found still tied," he explained.

The Ganesha statue has a diameter of around 50 cm and a height of 50 cm disappeared from its position on the edge of the Bromo Mountain crater. The statue should have been on the left side about 50 meters from the edge of the Bromo Crater ladder.

The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (BB TNBTS) in a written statement stated that the statue disappeared from its position on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Field officers claimed to have received reports from the community around 05.30 AM.

The missing Ganesha statue was installed in 2012 by the Ngadisari Village Community, Sukapura, Probolinggo. The statue is made of concrete. The disappearance of the statue initially raised suspicions that it was lost because it fell towards the Bromo Crater or was taken by an irresponsible party.

(kpl/dar/gtr)