SENDANGSONO

Sendangsono lies on the slope of Menoreh mountain range, Kulon Progo Regency, some 40 kilometers north-west of Yogyakarta. The word " Sendang " means a spring whereas " Sono " is the name of giant tree. Thus, Sendangsono means a spring under a Sono tree. It is considered to be the holy place for the Catholics, and it can be regarded as the Lourdes of South-east Asia. During May and October, the Holy Marie, Queen of Heaven.

Thousands of people from many different regions of Indonesia and even from abroad visit Sendangsono making their pilgrimage. From the main road they have to make their way on foot up the hill through a narrow path for about 3 kilometers until they come to Promasan church. The next 2 kilometers path between Promasan up to Sendangsono complex, is called the " Crucifixion Path " where people either individually or in groups wili pray the rosary along this path. At Sendangsono they take some water from the spring, put into bottles or other containers, place them under the statue of Holy Marie, and by the glimmering light of hundreds of candles they solemnly say their prayers to flority God the Almighty through Holy

The offering from the Yogyakarta palace consists a food, cutting of fingernails and hair of Sri Sultan which is thrown to the South Sea or Indian Ocean. The offering is intended to be presented to the Goddess of the South Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. It is hoped by performing the ceremony the King and the people of Yogyakarta get their welfare. The same ceremony is also held on the top of mount Merapi and Lamu.

source byhttp://www.jogjatourism.com/html/sendangsono.htm

KOTA GEDE ROYAL CEMETERY

Kota Gede which is often called Sargede lies about five kilometers south east of Yogyakarta. In that cemetery complex one can still visit the cemetery of the Mataram kings like Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Loring Pasar, the founder of the Mataram Kingdom, who was then called Panembahan Senopati. There is also the unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. He was Panembahan Senopati son in law and his enemy at the same time. His dead body was buried half inside of the special area for kings and his families, and half of his body was buried outside of the complex, there is a stone called " Watu Gilang ", a stone on which Panembahan Senopati smashed the head of Ki Ageng Mangir to dead.

Those who want to go inside the cemetery have to wear traditional clothes that one can hire at the place. Kota Gede Royal cemetery open on Monday at. 10.00 am - 12.00 am, and Friday at 01.30 pm. - 04.00 pm. In addition to the cemetery, there are also graceful gates, a pond full of Clarius Melanodermas and a yellow turtle. This turtle is hundred years of age and people believe it as a sacred miraculous turtle.

source by http://www.jogjatourism.com/html/imogiri.htm