Parangkusumo Beach is a beach that can be considered more sacred than it is a leisural site to the residents of Yogyakarta. Despite having its own name, it is still a part of Parangtritis Beach. The sacred site is distanced at 30 km south of downtown Yogyakarta. Local residents believe that the beach is the entrance gate of the Mystical Kingdom of the South Sea, a place where The Queen of the South Seas, Nyi Roro Kidul, resides. During certain occasion, an offering is given to the beach from local communities as well as representatives from Keraton Yogyakarta. The reason for this tradition is because Parangkusumo Beach has long been a symbol for the relation and authority between Keraton Yogyakarta and the Queen of the South Sea.

You can feel the sacredness of the beach as you enter the main gate. Scattered flowers, sets of offerings and the scent of incenses are amongst the things that one will often find during their visit to the beach. Based on the tradition, on the 30th of Rejeb ( name of a month on the Javanese calender) is held the sacred ritual where certain offerings are given to the Queen of the South Seas. The offerings (also known as Labuhan) consists of flowers, food, clothes, and cuttings from the current Sultan’s fingernails and hair. The ceremony is operated during a Kliwon, a specific period of days according to Javanese calendar, when people come to visit the rest houses around Parangkusumo to meditate and achieve spiritual tranquility. A legend remarks that a particular stone at Parangkusumo Beach that resulted from a post-volcanic activity, known also as Love Stone, is believed to be the place where Panembahan Senopati, a legendary king of the Mataram Kindom, and the Queen of the South Seas met to confer about certain occasions. From the meeting, they came to agree upon a testament. In the agreement, The Queen promised to protect Panembahan Senopati along with his descendants and kindom provided Senopati agreed to become her spouse. Senopati also agreed on the request provided the bond must not yield any offspring. The contract between the two figures is what strengthens the link between Mataram Kindom (currently becoming Kesultanan Yogyakarta) and the Queen of the South Seas.

Besides the sacred ritual and tradition, visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the beach and the breeze of the seashore on horse cart. There are also numerous food stands (warongs) where visitors can buy food and drink. The beach is also often used as a praying site for different religional backgrounds.

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