The Gunung Kawi religious tourism area in Malang Regency, East Java, has recently returned to being a hot topic across various social media platforms. This commotion was triggered by posts from content creators revisiting old myths, as well as a circulating photo unilaterally claimed to be a price list for obtaining instant wealth in the area.
Responding to the widely spread rumors, the management of Pesarean Gunung Kawi issued a firm clarification stating that information regarding pesugihan tariffs is false. The viral digital flyer is actually an official price list for selamatan (traditional communal feast) supplies and the fulfillment of pilgrims' vows, not to facilitate money-multiplying rituals.
Based on official explanations from the management, the cost breakdown listed is intended for providing traditional ceremonial equipment. These religious package options vary, ranging from besek chicken offerings priced at IDR 130,000, goat tumpeng at IDR 650,000, to the performance of ruwatan wayang kulit (shadow puppet exorcism) art ranging from IDR 7 million to IDR 15 million for warding off bad luck or expressing gratitude.
Historically, Pesarean Gunung Kawi is the burial site of two spiritual figures highly revered by the Javanese community, namely Kiai Zakaria II (Eyang Djoego) and Raden Mas Iman Soedjono (Eyang Sujo). The majority of visitors come to this place purely to perform grave pilgrimages, offer prayers for safety to God, and enjoy the historical tourism of rich cultural acculturation.
Nevertheless, mystical stereotypes remain difficult to separate from this area due to several local myths persisting in society. Some of these include beliefs about the blessing of naturally fallen Dewandaru tree leaves and fortune-telling through the Ciam Si tradition at the local temple. The distortion of information surrounding these local traditions is what often gets exploited by irresponsible parties on social media.
