Mount Kemukus: A Sex Pilgrimage that involves adultery with strangers.

Have you ever heard of something like a Sex Mountain? No, right! But you'd be shocked to know that something like this exists. Mount Kemukus, also known as the sex mountain, located on Indonesia's largest island Java is the place where a strange sexual ritual takes places.

It's 824-meter size may seem meagre but the amount of orgasms that have rocked the hilltop is massive. Since the late 19th century, the Javanese Muslim pilgrims have travelled regularly in multitude to indulge in sexual activity with strangers which is supposed to bless them with good fortune. The busiest of days have also seen the numbers sore to 8000 people visiting the mountain to have sex with people who they meet for the first time.

As per the legend, in the 16th century, Prince Pangeran Samodro had an affair with his step-mother Nyai Ontrowulan (which, in itself is quite weird). They fled to Mount Kemukus and were reportedly killed in the middle of their incest by local soldiers and villagers. They were buried in one hole. With that, the ritual started. It is said that if pilgrims finished the sexual act Prince Samodro and his stepmom started, then they would find prosperity, blessings and a good fortune from Nyai Ontrowulan herself.

“There is a shrine there now, and because they didn’t get to finish the act, others believe that if you do, fortune will come to you, most people like poor farmers who want to get ahead in life.” said a local.

Now, here's the drill. One needs to have an adulterous affair on the top of Mount Kemukus during the Pon Festival which is an auspicious day on the Javanese calendar. Firstly, pilgrims offer prayers and offerings at the graves of the royal couple. Next, they bathe in the sacred waters of the hill. Then comes the main task. Every pilgrim needs to find a stranger for coitus which is done on the top of the hill. Once it's done, the pilgrims need to exchange contact details. Then, they need to meet in other places to have sex every 35 days for seven consecutive times to complete the ritual. Here is a review for reference:

“Praise be to God, after coming here, even though I have a few debts, my business is making a bit of a profit,” a female pilgrim and small-business owner said.

This practice is followed nowhere else in the Muslim community as Islam prohibits extramarital affairs. But the Javanese Islam, in itself is a very complex religion. It is influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism and Sufism (mystical Islam). This ritual has been opposed by many other Muslims all around the world but it exists till date.

During the beginning of the ritual, pilgrims used to make out in the open under the trees. Slowly, hostels with hourly rates and many other small businesses such as vendors, karaoke bars and sex shacks burst into the scene and the place became a tourist spot. This helped in economical benefits for the locals and the government due to the entry fees and taxes.

However, as the popularity of the place increased, the criticism of the ritual followed. Questions were raised on Muslim morality and people started opposing the practice. The pilgrimage has been largely affected by ballooning sex-trade and prostitution on the hill. This led to a surge in the number of STDs and HIV cases in the area and businesses and local shops had to be closed. People started moving away from the area and Mount Kemukus was closed in 2014.

Yet there are people who still believe in the ritual and perform it under the trees now. It's difficult to get the belief out of the system of people and this is the reason why we have some peculiar rituals like these.