Tomb of Kings of Mataram Imogiri

A. Overview

Located in the foothills Imogiri, Bantul, Yogyakarta, as asserted Imogiri Tomb of social and political status of the people buried in this place. Yes, the hill with 409 steps + This is devoted to the tombs of kings and relatives of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom and their offspring. For the Javanese, mountains or hills symbolize high status and is an effort to get closer to the Almighty.
Chosen hill was also named Pajimatan Girirejo has its own story. According to the local community, when Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusuma seeking a special burial ground as the sultan and the sultan's family, he threw a handful of sand from Arab lands. Landed in the sand hills Imogiri, so the place was chosen by Sultan Agung. In the year 1632 AD, Imogiri's Tomb complex built by Sultan Agung to appoint an architect named Kyai Tumenggung Tjitrokoesoemo. Thirteen years later, at the tomb of Sultan Agung was also the buried after death in the year 1645 AD
Sultan Agung himself known as the greatest ruler in the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. He was the third king after Senopati and Penembahan Krapyak Penembahan Seda. Sultan Agung has a big name for being able to control almost all the land of Java and also dare to attack the headquarters of the VOC in Batavia in 1628 and 1629 AD, though always failed. The failure of this attack also store a mysterious story of a traitor who is also buried in the tomb Imogiri. He is Tumenggung Endranata, one of the retainer has been leaked Mataram Sultan Agung's plan to attack the Dutch.
Result caused traitor, rice barns in preparation for the logistics on their way to Batavia was burned by the Dutch troops, so the forces of Sultan Agung can be easily repelled. Knowing one of his treason, Sultan Agung and then take decisive action to execute Tumenggung Endranata. Head of the Tumenggung then beheaded, and a headless body was later planted in one step below the gate of the tomb. The pilgrims will find a staircase made of stone which extends the traitor's grave. The stairs of stone grooved because many people who have stepped on it. This monument is certainly a warning to the followers of Sultan Agung to betrayal does not happen again.


B. Keistimewaan
Visiting the Tomb Imogiri, tourists can feel the magical atmosphere straight from the sacred place by the majority of Javanese society. The smell of rose flowers and incense around the grave, because almost every day of the palace courtiers put special offerings at the tomb of kings. In fact, according to one of the caretaker, the tomb of Sultan Agung until now always fragrant smell because he is considered to have reached the level of Wali Allah (God's lover).

Besides the tomb of Sultan Agung, the place is also buried 23 kings descended from Sultan Agung, including from the dynasty Kasunanan the Sultanate of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Kings tombs are divided into eight groups, namely: Sultanate greatness (the tomb of Sultan Agung, the empress, Hamangkurat Amral, and Hamangkurat Mas); Nail Buwanan (PB tomb I, Hamangkurat Jawi, and PB II); Kasuwargan Jogjakarta (graves HB HB I and III); Besiyaran Yogyakarta (HB tomb IV, V HB, and HB VI); Saptorenggo Yogyakarta (HB VII, VIII HB, and HB IX); Kasuwargan Surakarta (PB III's tomb, PB IV, and V PB); Kapingsangan Surakarta (PB grave VI, VII PB, PB VIII, and IX PB); Girimulya Surakarta (tomb PB X, XI PB, and PB XII).

In general, plan or arrangement of tombs of kings is like a triangle. At the top there is the tomb of Sultan Agung, on the east side there is the tomb of the king-sultan of Yogyakarta, and on the west side of the tomb of the Kings Kasunanan Yogyakarta. Separation tombs of kings descended from Sultan Agung is the impact of resistance made by Prince Mangkubumi (Hamengkubuwono I) against his brother, Pakubuwono II. As a result of the war, appeared Giyanti Treaty (in 1755 AD) which separates the Islamic Mataram Kingdom Kasunanan Sultanate of Surakarta and Yogyakarta.

Because of this sacred tomb, so not just anyone can enter the tomb complex. There are some special requirements that must be filled with pilgrims, among other prohibited barefoot, wearing jewelry (especially gold), a camera, and should be dressed in characteristic Javanese (Peranakan). For male pilgrims put on ubuntu, Beskap, cloth, belt, buckle, and samir, while for women wearing a tank top and a long cloth. In addition, generally in the area of the tomb and the woods around the tomb, the visitors are prohibited act rude, hunt, cut trees, took the timber, and removing or destroying the existing plants.

In addition to pilgrimage, the traveler can see the four barrel (padhasan) which is offering the kingdoms of friends to Sultan Agung. Barrels was named Nyai Siyem (of Siam), Kyai clouds (from Rum / Turkey), Kyai Danumaya (of Aceh), and Nyai Danumurti (from Palembang). The water in the barrel is said to have a certain efficacy, good for health, healing, or success. Therefore, many pilgrims who drank the water or take him home.
If interested in visiting the tomb at night, so come on Friday night or Tuesday Kliwon Kliwon. On these nights, many pilgrims who perform the ritual prayer around the grave, especially during the middle of the night. These pilgrims come in a variety of purposes, such as praying for the smooth provision, career success, or add kanuragan science.

C. Location
Tomb of Kings of Mataram located in the hamlet of Imogiri Pajimatan, Girirejo Village, District Imogiri, Bantul, DI Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This tomb was opened to the public on certain days, such as:
• Sunday (10.00-13.00 WIB)
• Monday (10.00-13.00 WIB)
• Friday (10.00-13.00 WIB)
• On 1 and 8 Shawwal (10.00-13.00 WIB)
• On 10 Big / Dzulhijah (10.00-13.00 WIB)
On other days, this tomb can be visited as far remained outside the gates of the tomb of kings. Outside the schedule, the pilgrims were not allowed into the area of the tomb of a king, with the exception of pilgrims has won permission from the Palace of Yogyakarta, Surakarta, or the head of the caretaker.

D. Access
To get to this tomb complex, visitors can use a private car or public transportation (bus or taxi) to the south of Yogyakarta city. If you want to use the bus, tourists can ride bus-Bake Yogyakarta or Yogyakarta-Petoyan from Terminal Giwangan, Yogyakarta at a cost of about Rp 5,000. After about 30 minutes drive (+ 20 km), tourists will arrive at Terminal Imogiri. From this terminal, visitors simply walk around 250 meters to reach the first rung to the tomb. Or, if you want to use the motorcycle taxi service, travelers simply pay between USD 3000-USD 5000 (October 2008).

E. Ticket Prices
Entering the tomb complex Imogiri Kings are not subject to special ticket. It's just, every visitor is required to fill the guest book (to be registered) and contribute seikhlasnya caretaker at the cemetery. When visitors interested in bringing a barrel of water is considered to be efficacious also subject to voluntary contributions. In addition, in front of the mosque, exactly under the first step toward the tomb, there are also boxes for the maintenance of mosques infak.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities
The pilgrims or tourists who need a guide (guide) tourism can hire him at Terminal Imogiri or around the mosque. This tour guide will tell the history of the tomb and the history of the kings who were buried in this place. Besides the guide, there are also three small book (a photo-copy) which includes a history of Tomb of Mataram Kings in Imogiri, Scheme Tomb of Mataram Kings Imogiri, and the history of Tomb of Mataram Kings in Kotagede. These three booklets are sold a package price of Rp 3000 (October 2008).

Who need clothes for Java, the caretaker at the tomb of the lease provided a special outfit for the visitors who want to enter the king's tomb complex, both the Kings tombs of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Each one set of clothes for rent for Rp 5000. If the package requires an empty bottle to bring home water barrel / jars that are considered efficacious, then the pilgrims spend enough USD 1000 for every 1.5-liter-sized bottles (October 2008). In addition, this tomb complex was completed several facilities, such as places of worship (mosque) is complete with the ablution and toilet and hall to rest.

Around the tomb, there are also some stalls that sell a variety of foods and beverages such as wedang uwoh, misbegotten, tempeh and sweet, marinated tofu, and boiled bananas. To by-by, it is advisable to buy wedang uwoh have mixed in the package for Rp 1,000 per pack (October 2008). Uwoh Wedang is known to have efficacy to restore stamina, warm the body, and cast out into the wind-suited to be drunk after just tired up and down the stairs tomb.

(Calculated from field reportage / Lukman Solihin/wm/32/10-08)

source: http://wisatamelayu.com/id/object/765/429/makam-raja-raja-mataram-imogiri/&nav=geo