Imogiri Royal Cemetery Guide To Explore & Dress Code

Bantul’s Imogiri Royal Cemetery is nothing like other cemeteries in general thanks to its scenic exterior. At a glance, it resembles a centuries-old Javanese housing neighborhood. There are traditional huts, structures, and hundreds of staircases going up and down leading pilgrims to various spots in the cemetery.

Black moss covering the staircases and tombstones gives a clue to how old the cemetery is. Strolling around this ten-hectare graveyard gives a feeling of stepping back into the past. Dull red bricks have lost their brilliant vermilion hues as they age. The paths and stairs are pale grays. Just like the rocks they were carved out of.

Some of the buildings are black while others are white, depending on the material. Despite the different colors, they all share one thing in common. It resembles thick vintage Javanese architecture. Another cultural influence here is Hinduism, indicated by the model of some establishments.

The high red-brick gate is similar to those in Bali, humbly greeting the visitors. Its pointy tips at every corner of the gateway are curled up facing the sky. The vague Hindu ambiance in the cemetery refers to the pre-Islamic era when people still prayed to Hindu deities.

Imogiri Royal Cemetery Entrance Fee

The Cemetery complex belongs to the Yogyakarta Royal Family. There is no entrance fee to enter the royal cemetery area. However, a specific dress code is applied both for locals and international visitors.

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Imogiri Royal Cemetery Opening Hours

The cemetery opens every day for pilgrims and tourists. While it is closed during the fasting month of Ramadhan and holy days. On Monday and Sunday, it opens early at 10 AM. While on Friday, it closed at 1 PM due to Muslim Friday Prayer. Every 1st and 8th of Islam’s Syawal month, it operates at 10:30 AM.

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Imogiri Royal Cemetery Dated Back To The 17th Century

The royal cemetery is built in 1632 by the order of Sultan Agung Mataram III. He assigned the kingdom’s renowned architect Kyai Tumenggung Tjitrokoesoemo to execute the project. Sultan then tosses a handful of sand and lets the wind carry it. And that is where he knows where the cemetery should be. The sand lands on the hills of Pajimetan Girirejo and thus the work began.

The Death of The Traitor

Previously in 1628 and 1629, Mataram Kingdom failed to banish the Dutch colonials from Jayakarta. Surprisingly, it was because of a Mataram soldier who served as a spy for the Dutch. The traitor Tumenggung Endranata tells classified information, resulting in Mataram’s double defeats.

Later when King Sultan Agung found out, he was furious and sentenced Endranata to death. Sultan had Endranata’s lifeless body cut into three pieces. He ordered his servant to bury the traitor’s body separately at the Royal Cemetery.

The traitor’s head was later buried in Gapura Supit Urang. While the torso was buried under the staircases. As for the remaining left, the feet beneath the bottom of the cemetery pool. Thus, the Sultan made it clear from that day. That every cemetery’s visitors would step on the disgraced betrayer. The King meant it as a harsh warning so no one would ever dare to double-cross him again.

As a royal cemetery, it is where the deceased blue blood is laid to rest. Tourists can see the tombs of Astana Kasultan Agung, Surakarta Hadiningrat, and Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. The three sultanates’ burial grounds are located in three different zones. Sultan Agung Mataram’s family graveyard is on the top. While Surakarta is in the west, and Yogyakarta is in the east.

Long Live Javanese Ancient Heritage

To pay respect to the kings, there are certain rules for guests when entering the cemetery. One of them is the dress code. Either tourists or pilgrims must wear traditional Javanese outfits upon entering the gravesites. Luckily, the caretakers of Imogiri Royal Cemetery rent obligatory clothes for tourists.

Visitor’s Dress code & Guidelines

Males have to wrap a long cloth kain around their waist down to the ankles. Along with a sleeved-shirt Beskap and fabric cap Blangkon. Follow by the other ornaments such as Timang and Samir to complete the Javanese appearance. While females have it much simpler when it comes to the Javanese outfit.

A tube top Kemben, long fabric covering down the feet is the dress code. Before setting feet to the gravesites, everyone has to take off their footwear. Guests must note that they cannot bring cameras and wear gold jewelry either and be respectful.

And hence cursing, talking loud, and inappropriately are strictly prohibited. It is like facing the royal family members, and the king, in person. Here, Javanese mysticism and myths thrive. Many have traveled distances to pray for luck.

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Imogiri Cemetery Magic Water

The fragrant smell of burnt incense mixed with flowers fills the air. The cemetery apparently seems to nourish the “believers” by catering to their spiritual quest. It has four “mystical” big water containers made of clay renowned for having miraculous benefits. Pilgrims take some of the water and save it in bottles, wishing for success and everything.

Just like the pilgrims, the water container quartet came from afar as well. Nyai Danumurti water container a special gift from Palembang’s Sriwijaya Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Samudera Pasai Kingdom in Aceh presents Kyai Danumaya water containers. Thai Siam Monarch gave Nyai Siyem a water container.

While the Ngerum Kingdom in Turkey handed Kyai Mendung water containers. In spite of its profound mysticism, travelers can simply adore the grand architectural design. The cemetery’s well-preserved complex encapsulates the very essence of the Javanese legacy from its victorious ages.

Each nook and cranny unveils picturesque pieces. Above all, it is certainly worth photographing or reminiscing memories. A sensation of living in the old Java floods in as visitors roam the archaic alleys.

Facilities

As the Mataram kingdom practiced Islam. The cemetery possesses the ancient yet grand Pajimatan mosque. Besides the grand mosque, a smaller place to pray mosques is available too. Allowing such convenience for Muslim travelers. Public restrooms, parking areas, and food stalls selling indigenous dishes are within the premises.

Moreover, friendly, informative, and communicative guides are ready to walk the vacationers through the cemetery. Even though the Imogiri Royal cemetery charge-free admission. However, everyone is welcome to donate some money for maintenance.

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How To Get To Imogiri Royal Cemetery

Tourists can reach the destination with their own rented vehicles.  While public transportation options too available. To get to Imogiri Royal Cemetery from the city center. Furthermore from the city center head to the Giwangan bus terminal. And take Yogyakarta-Panggang bus or Yogyakarta-Petayan.

Both of the buses will stop at Imogiri Bus Terminal. The journey should take 30 minutes more or less depending on the traffic. From Imogiri Bus Terminal, it’s just a 250-meter walk to the cemetery.

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Address & Location

Imogiri Royal Cemetery is 19 km away from downtown. It’s located in Jl. Makam Raja, Imogiri, Bantul City, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55782.