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)