"HERE LIES BUNG KARNO TE PROCLAMATOR OF INDEPENDENCE AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC INDONESIA.
THE CONNECTOR OF PEOPLE'S VOICE." THAT WAS THE WRITINGS ON THE TOMBS IN SOEKARNO'S GRAVEYARD.
Hearing the word Blitar, you would immidiately associate it with the name Soekarno. And it would not be right for us to go
there without visiting sthe cemetary of our proclamator. It is locted in Bendogerit, Sananwetan sub-district,
This graveyar never quiet of pilgrims, especially on the holiday. Covers an area 1,8 hectars, one can said that the last resting
place of Soekarno is one the icon of the City of Blitar.
The entrace to the cemetary starts from the road which connects library on the south side of the cemetary all the way to Agung gate
which faced the south. Before arriving to the grave, pilgrims will pass by a library building apposite to museum.
In these buildings, we can see many pictures and paintings of Soekarno as well as his book collections.
In here we had to queueto be able to take pictures of the statue of Soekarno which situated in the middle room,
entrance of library and museum, which as a popular place for tourists to take photo of. after taking pictures, we continued our report
to the grave.
This grave had a main building in a form of cupola which was named Astono Mulyo, mixed with
a gate shaped as temple gate Bentar. There were also other buildings which are Gapura Agung,
mosque, and a Bangsal. There also the last resting place of Bung Karno marked by a piece
of black marble written "here lies Bung Karno Independence Proclamator and the first President of Republic of Indonesia. The connector of people's
Voice".
According to one of the security guard of the cemetary. in Bung Karno's day of remembrace,
the number of pilgrims boomed, they not only came from east java, but also from every part of the country,
together just to pray in this cemetary. some of them, even, stayed over in the cemetary.
at the beginning, the grave of Indonesia's first President was surrounded by thick glass wall, so the visitors cannot be too close.
However, on the era of President Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Sukarno Putri as vice president, the glass wall was torn down entirely.
Now, the last resting place Bung Karno, which rested together with both of his parents on each side, R Sukemi Sasrodihardjo and
Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai, have become open for public. pilgrims can come and pray even touch the grave of the beloved proclamator. Bung Karno was, indeed,
phenomenal in his lifetime all throughout his death. however, whoever he was, his body already part of this country's history.
Not only during his lifetime did Bung Karno performed great service, but up until today, the exestance of his graveyard had given
blessing to the local people, especially Blitar people who were trading nearby, from food, flower, souvenir, and using their houses as parking lot.
