Over 1 million visit tomb

Over 1 million visit tomb

BOYOLALI, Central Java: More than one million people have
visited the tomb of the 18th century author Yosodipuro in
Pengging village between July and September, according to local
tourism office data.

Most visitors came, mostly on Fridays, to have their fates
forecast.

Visitors receive coconut leaves and place them on the tomb.
After saying prayers, the visitors give the leaves to the tomb's
guide, who will help them read "messages" written on the leaves.

The tomb, situated some 80 kilometers south of the province's
capital Semarang, has become one of the most popular tourist
sites here apart from the royal fountain of Surakarta sultanate
Umbul Ngabean.

Yosodipuro was an author from the sultanate. In those days
authors also served as fortune tellers, teachers of religion and
historians.

Antara reported that the visitors donated around Rp 1 million
(US$143) between July and September. (04)