The Yogyakarta Palace Does Not Have A Cultural Tour Around The Fortress

ILLUSTRATION DOC BETWEEN

YOGYAKARTA - The Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace has canceled the cultural lampah "Tapa Bisu Mubeng Beteng" which is held every Java 1 Sura New Year's Eve or 1 Muharam Islamic New Year, considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.

"The condition of the transmission of COVID-19 does not seem to be over, so it is better for us to avoid this unpleasant situation," said Parentah Hageng, KRT Wijaya Pamungkas, head of the Civil Service Affairs Office at the Kawedanan Palace, Yogyakarta.

KRT Wijaya said the Mubeng Beteng Tapa Bisu which is usually held every year is the intention of the royal court or initiated by the courtiers in order to welcome the Islamic new year and the Javanese new year.

Before the pandemic, the ritual was usually carried out by walking around the Beteng Keraton without speaking followed by the courtiers of the palace along with thousands of Yogyakarta residents.

Tapa mute or not speak while circling the Beteng Keraton, according to him, is intended as a means of introspection of what was done last year, and to improve oneself entering the new year.

Although this year the event was cancelled, he continued, as a substitute, the courtiers held the "Umbul Donga" event or prayer together at the Keben Keraton or around the Ponconiti Ward of the Yogyakarta Palace on Friday (29/7) night to coincide with the night of 1 Sura Ehe 1955/1 Muharam 1444 Hijri starting at 18.00 WIB.

"Because the Ngayogyakarta Palace is an Islamic kingdom, considering that tonight coincides with 1 Muharam 1444 Hijriah, the courtiers and people of Ngayogyakarta pray together," said Wijaya Pamungkas.

The collective prayer began with the chanting of Kidung Pandonga or the song macapat, led by KMT Projosuwasono.

Furthermore, there was the Dalem Delegation who was present to open the event, then the agenda was closed with a joint prayer at the beginning of the year led by Kanca Kaji.

"Together, we pray to Allah SWT, that COVID-19 will soon disappear, then the coming year may bring prosperity to the country, especially the people of Yogyakarta and to keep unity," he said.

On 1-3 August 2022, the Yogyakarta Palace Museum and Kedhaton Palace will be temporarily closed to tourists.

This coincides with the Siraman Pusaka agenda which is usually held during the month of Sura.

Siraman or jamasan heirlooms in the Kedhaton complex are closed to the public. Meanwhile, Jamasan Kereta Kencana can be watched by the public while maintaining health protocols.

Later there will be two golden trains that will be jammed, namely Kanjeng Nyai Jimat as the main train and Kiai Manik Retno as the pendherek train (companion train).