TIMES SINGAPORE, BLITAR – The tomb of Bung Karno (an honorific and popular name for Soekarno)  or known by the locals as Makam Bung Karno in Blitar City is a primary destination for historical tourism in East Java. On Saturday (9/10/2025), the complex was notably crowded with visitors from various regions.

Located at Jl. Ir. Soekarno No. 152, Bendogerit Village, Sananwetan District, Blitar City, the tomb complex is also home to the Bung Karno Museum and Library, as well as the World Peace Gong.

History and Determination of Burial Site

The first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno, passed away at Wisma Yaso in Jakarta on June 21, 1970. His body was interred in Blitar the following day, laid to rest next to the grave of his mother, Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai.

The decision to designate Blitar as the burial location was based on Presidential Decree Number 44 of 1970. Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) historian Asvi Warman Adam suggested that President Soeharto's decision was motivated by political considerations, as both of Soekarno's parents were buried in Blitar.

The building with distinctive Javanese architecture that houses the main tomb of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia. (PHOTO: Ardana Pramayoga/TIMES Indonesia)

The tomb site also laid close to another historical site: the tomb of the Majapahit Kingdom founder, Raden Wijaya. Both figures are known as founders of the state in the Indonesian archipelago (Nusantara).

According to Fadhillio Ibra Farissandro Abriakto, a Blitar youth who regularly visits the complex, the area developed into a site of political pilgrimage starting in the early 1970s. "Before Bung Karno was buried here, his mother had already been interred in this complex," he said on Saturday.

Activities and Visitors at Bung Karno’s Tomb

Abriakto explained that the number of visitors sharply increases at certain times. Leading up to Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan), the complex recorded 1,500 pilgrims daily, mostly from West Java and Lampung.

At the beginning of 2025, the number of daily visits reached 2,000 people. Furthermore, the anniversary of Bung Karno's death on June 21 is a busy period, attended by his extended family and national figures, including Indonesia’s 5th President, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The people of Blitar remember Bung Karno as a humble leader and freedom fighter. His closeness to his mother is cited as a source of his moral strength.

Facts Surrounding the Tomb

Bung Karno’s father, Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo, was a teacher, not a bupati (regent) as some circulating rumors suggest. Soekemi was stationed in Bali when he met Nyoman Rai Srimben, who would become Bung Karno’s mother.

Mr. Abriakto also recounted the felling of a banyan tree in the tomb complex in 1998. This event coincided with the stepping down of President Soeharto, which fueled political speculation at the time.

The Bung Karno tomb is cleaned daily before operating hours. Visitors can make pilgrimages from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) with an entrance fee of IDR 4,000 per person. The tomb area features an inauguration monument signed by President Soeharto.

Bung Karno’s Tomb as a Blitar Tourism Icon

The tomb of Bung Karno has become an icon for Blitar City and a national historical tourism destination. In addition to making a pilgrimage, visitors can learn about the history of the independence struggle through the museum collections in the area.

Some pilgrims regard the adjacent burial location with his mother as a powerful symbol of the relationship between a child and parent in the nation's history. With its strategic location and supporting facilities, Bung Karno’s Tomb continues to be a magnet for tourists.

The Tomb of Bung Karno in Blitar is not only the final resting place of the proclamator but also a center for historical and cultural education. To this day, thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit annually, establishing the area as one of Indonesia's most important historical destinations. (*)