Why this Indonesian volcano is linked to the afterlife - Know the haunting reason behind the changing colors

Kelimutu colorful volcano lakes (image: canva)

Kelimutu volcano in Indonesia is sacred to the Lio community, believed to be the final resting place for souls. Its three color-changing crater lakes symbolize spiritual balance, with annual rituals honoring ancestors and reinforcing its role as a pilgrimage site.

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Kelimutu: A revered volcano in Indonesia is not only a natural wonder but also a deeply sacred site for the local Lio community. Located on Flores Island, this holy mountain is believed to be the final resting place of human souls, making it a powerful symbol of life, death and spiritual balance. Rising 1,639 metres above sea level, Kelimutu holds religious importance alongside its rare geological features.

The Sacred Lakes of Kelimutu

At the summit of Kelimutu lie three sacred crater lakes, each believed to receive souls according to their age and life conduct.

• Tiwu Ata Bupu: The Lake of Old People, is believed to house the souls of elders
• Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai: The Lake of Young Men and Maidens, is reserved for young souls
• Tiwu Ata Polo: The Enchanted Lake, is believed to receive troubled or wandering souls

The lakes often change colours, which locals view as signs of spiritual movement and divine balance.

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Faith Behind the Changing Colours

While science explains the colour changes through volcanic gases and minerals, local belief holds that these shifts reflect the activity of souls and ancestral energy. The transformation of colours is seen as a reminder that the spiritual world is alive and responsive.

For the Lio people, nature and the afterlife are deeply connected and Kelimutu serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

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Sacred Rituals and Ancestral Worship

Every year, rituals are performed near the lakes to honour ancestors. Offerings of food, betel nuts and symbolic items are placed on ceremonial stones. The ceremony, often called “Feeding the Spirits of the Forefathers,” reflects gratitude, remembrance and respect for departed souls.

These rituals reinforce Kelimutu’s role as a sacred pilgrimage site rather than just a tourist destination.

Visitors often describe a deep sense of calm and reverence at Kelimutu. Sunrise at the crater lakes is considered especially auspicious, symbolising renewal and the eternal cycle of life. Silence and respect are encouraged, as the mountain is believed to be watched over by ancestral spirits.

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Kelimutu stands as a living example of how natural wonders become sacred through belief. The colour-changing lakes continue to inspire devotion, reminding humanity of the unseen spiritual forces that guide existence.