Makam Raja-Raja Imogiri in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region

Aside from exotic beaches, Bantul Regency has other interesting vacation destinations including the ones that relate to religious tourism. As for the reference, tourists can visit Makam Raja-Raja Imogiri. This royal cemetery is located in Karang Kulon Village and belongs to Imogiri Sub-District. The location is on a hilly area, so tourists must spend some efforts to reach the site. As people may expect, this cemetery consists of the tombs of Mataram Kingdom’s kings and their relatives. Why is on the highland? It is said a high place symbolizes both status and closeness to the God. The site also attracts tourists who want to conduct pilgrimage, photography, and learn history.

The Nuance
The royal cemetery is located on a hill called Pajimatan Girirejo. As for the nuance, visitors would feel the sacredness and serenity right away after getting in the complex. They may also smell both incenses and various local flower petals on the site. Not to mentions many offerings can be seen clearly there. In terms of popularity, the most famous tomb is indeed Sultan Agung’s. It is said the tomb always emits a fragrant smell.

Exploring Makam Raja-Raja Imogiri
It is true the prime purpose for visiting Makam Raja-Raja Imogiri is to conduct pilgrimage. As mentioned before, Sultan Agung’s tomb becomes tourists’ favorite spot. Aside from this, other famous tombs also reside there, including his descendants. Well, even though all people are allowed to enter the cemetery, everyone should respect the site due to the sacredness. Not to mention littering is highly prohibited, so it is not recommended to carry foods or drinks to the site.

For the information, the royal cemetery opens every day. However, tourists should choose the best time to visit the location (which is during sacred nights). These include Selasa Kliwon and Jumat Kliwon. At these times, the locals often gather and conduct rituals. Many of them pray for a successful career, knowledge, prosperity, or other purposes. The good thing is that tourists are allowed to join the events and wear the same traditional clothes to those villagers. Once again, no one is allowed to cause disturbances on the site especially during the rituals.

The next allure in Makam Raja-Raja Imogiri is the presence of hundreds of stairs. There is even a rumor about it. No one is able to count the exact number of stairs. While counting, some mysterious distractions make them lose the count, somehow. Some people claimed that they have succeeded in counting those stairs, though. It is said the number is 409.

Nearby Attractions

• Gardu Pandang Mangunan
• Panguk Kadiwung Hill
• Gajah Cave
• Mojo Gumelem Hill

How to Get There
For outsiders, it is recommended to take an airplane to get to Yogyakarta Special Region. For example, a flight from Soekarno – Hatta International Airport (Jakarta City) to Adisucipto Airport would take around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Once arriving at the airport, tourists’ next destination is Bantul Regency and the best route to take is Imogiri Timur Street. The distance is 20.8 km, so this trip would take around 27 minutes. From Bantul, the next destination is Karang Kulon Village at Imogiri Sub-District. This trip would take around 7 minutes, as the distance is 2.4 km.

Where to Stay

• Adiluhung Homestay
• Dika Jaya Homestay
• Opak Village Inn
• Subardi Homestay