Kunker To Solo Airlangga Hartarto Visits Family Cemetery In Astana Oetara

Airlangga Hartarto/Photo: VOI

SOLO - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto took the time to visit Solo before the month of Ramadan, Thursday (24/3/2022). Airlangga held a pilgrimage to the grave of his extended family in Pasarean Nayu, Astana Oetara, Mangkunegaran, Solo.

This pilgrimage ritual is carried out before entering the month of Ramadan. In Javanese tradition, especially Central Java, a ritual that cannot be missed before entering the holy month of Ramadan is cleaning ancestral graves. This tradition is called Sadranan, or Nyadran.

"Not every day, does this coincide with Nyadran in Solo and its surroundings. Pilgrimage, praying, or cleaning graves, as well as remembering our ancestors," said Airlangga, Friday, March 25.

The general chairman of the Golkar Party did not allow many groups to come to the graves of their ancestors. "I don't want it to be too crowded, I also need to be solemn on the pilgrimage," he said.

“My message is, what is important, we as the current generation do not forget that we have ancestors, those who have fought in their time. We continue to send prayers for our ancestors," he added.

In addition to the Astana Oetara Tomb, Airlangga also has a large family buried in the tomb complex of Kiai Ageng Gribig in Klaten. Airlangga is known to still have blood descendants of the great Kiai who spread Islam in the Jatinom area, Klaten. Last year, Airlangga made two pilgrimages to the tomb of Kiai Ageng Gribig in Jatinom.

In a separate interview, the caretaker of Astana Oetara's grave, RM Hariyanto, said that Airlangga's ancestors were buried in Astana Oetara.

"Mr. Airlangga's grandfather was a prosecutor in Mangkunegaran during the Mangkunegara VI era. Then he was buried in Astana Oetara," said Hariyanto.

After the pilgrimage at Astana Oetara, Airlangga inaugurated the Wedangan Demang Toenthoer Center in the Balekambang area, Solo.

Wedangan Center is a culinary center of Wedangan or Hik which is located in the bird market area in Balekambang.

Airlangga was accompanied by the Mayor of Solo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, during a working visit to Solo. The eldest son of President Joko Widodo has accompanied since Airlangga's arrival in Solo until the inauguration of the Demang Toenthoer Wedangan Center.