The Yogyakarta Palace, founded in 1755, is the home of the Yogyakarta royal family. In addition, Yogyakarta Palace is also a symbol of the glory of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat and the center of Javanese culture. Although the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat officially joined Indonesia in 1950, the Yogyakarta Palace still maintains the tradition that has passed from generation to generation. Yogyakarta Palace opens itself to the tourists so they can see the inside of this legendary palace. Let’s find out the top things to do in Yogyakarta Palace, Indonesia..!
1. Sightseeing
Yogyakarta Palace has many places that can be visited by tourists. But certain places are closed to the public. Even so you need no worry, every corner of the Yogyakarta Palace is instagenic. Taking pictures in Yogyakarta Palace is certainly one of things to do in Yogyakarta.
However Yogyakarta Palace is still the residence of the King of Yogyakarta. Therefore you must maintain the attitude and behavior. Yogyakarta Palace is opened for tourist every day from 9 am – 2 pm. But on Friday the palace is closed at 11.00 pm. The admission is Rp 5,000 for domestic tourists and Rp 15,000 for foreign tourists.
2. Tour de Museum
Inside the Yogyakarta Palace there are several museums of historic objects which belong to the royal family as well as gifts from the royal guests. You can see it all by entering room by room. Do not miss any existing collections.
There are a variety of batik cloth and its history of manufacture, a collection of paintings owned by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono, a variety of royal clothes, various royal carriages and a collection of ceramics. There are also a collection of tableware that is a gift from foreign guests, memorabilia, to Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono’s old cameras. Anyway, if there is time, come to Jakarta. Tour de museum is also one of things to do near Monas.
3. See the Activities of Abdi Dalem
As you walk down the complex of Yogyakarta Palace, you will meet many men dressed in lurik and blankon as the head covering. They are Abdi Dalem who devoted themselves to the palace and the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. For them to be Abdi Dalem of Yogyakarta Palace is a calling of the soul.
The obligations of Abdi Dalem are not small. Some of them are attending traditional ceremonies, working 12 days a month and required to follow the ritual of Wiyosipun Dalem. The doers of Abdi Dalem consider being a servant of the palace as an honorable job. No wonder they come from various backgrounds such as lecturers, physicians, civil servants and entrepreneurs.
4. Watching Grebeg Ceremony
Grebeg is one of the traditions of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat that is held three times a year to coincide with the big days of Islam; Grebeg Syawal (welcoming Eid Al-Fitr), Grebeg Maulud (commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad) and Grebeg Besar (welcoming Eid al-Adha).
Grebeg begins with a parade of Yogyakarta Royal Warriors guarding the mountain which is a large quantity of food arranged to resemble a mountain. The parade moves from Yogyakarta Palace to the North Square. Upon arriving, the mountain is taken to the Gedhe Kauman Mosque to be prayed by the imam. After that the mountain will be lowered and people will scramble to take food that is on the mountain because it is believed to have blessings. In addition to the Yogyakarta Palace, Balinese temples are also famous for its amazing tradition. Take time to come to Bali and see things to do in Balinese temples.
5. Watching Sekaten Ceremony
Sekaten is a ritual in Yogyakarta Place which is held to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It is enlivened with night market for a full month. The ritual is officially opened when Abdi Dalem of Yogyakarta Palace take Kyai Sekati gamelan out of the palace on the 5th Maulud.
The gamelan is played for 6 days 6 nights. After that the procession continues with the biography of Prophet Muhammad. Once completed, the gamelan is returned to the palace. The next day, the 12th Maulud, is held the Grebeg ceremony.
6. Watching Heirloom Washing
Every first day of Friday Kliwon or Tuesday Kliwon in the month of Muharam or Suro, Yogyakarta Palace carries heirloom washing such as keris, spears, swords and carriages. On the first day, the heirlooms to be washed are spears and keris. This event is only for the royal family.
The second day, which is open to the public, the heirlooms to be washed are the royal carriages. Among them is the Kanjeng Nyai Jimat carriage which was made in Portuguese in 1750. The wastewater will be scrambled by people because it is believed to bring blessings.
7. Joining Mataram Style Archery Competition
Mataram style archery is an art sport that is held regularly in Kemandungan field located in the Yogyakarta Palace complex. The participants, both men and women, are required to wear Javanese fashion.
The participants sit cross-legged facing southward. The distance between them and the target is 30 meters. Each archer can launch four arrows each round. The Mataram style archery competition is held every 35 days on Tuesday Wage which coincides with the birthday of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.
More top things to do in Yogyakarta Palace, Indonesia.
8. Watching Srimpi Dance
The Srimpi Dance was a mystical dance performed only in the Yogyakarta Palace for state ceremonies and anniversaries of the Sultan’s reign. Now the dance is featured to welcome guests and as a cultural events. The Srimpi Dance depicts gentleness and courtesy, which is shown by slow and gentle movements by each of the dancers.
Srimpi Dance from time to time has undergone many developments, including in terms of duration and costumes used by dancers. In the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, Srimpi Dance is classified into 3 namely Srimpi Babul Layar, Srimpi Dhempel and Srimpi Genjung. The Yogyakarta Palace holds a dance performance every Thursday at 10 am. Seeing Javanese traditional dances is also one of things to do in Yogyakarta’s Prambanan Temple.
9. Watching Leather Puppet Show
Leather Puppet is one of the icons of Javanese culture. Every Saturday, at 9 am, Yogyakarta Palace holds a leather puppet show that is open to the public. The show is interspersed with comedy so the audience can be more entertained.
The leather puppet show lasts for three hours. Every week the puppeteer tells a different story. The leather puppet show is one of the efforts of Yogyakarta Palace to preserve the Javanese culture from the pop culture invasion.
10. Watching Gamelan Show
Gamelan is an important instrument in the world of Javanese art. Gamelan is a unity of various elements of musical instruments that sounded together. Gamelan in Java is believed to be the oldest gamelan and the origin of gamelan that exist outside Java.
Every Monday and Tuesday, at 10 am, is held a gamelan show at the Yogyakarta Palace. Gamelan can be staged as an individual show or as a accompaniment. The UN has determined that gamelan is a cultural heritage that must be preserved and protected.
Well guys, now you have the list of top things to do in Yogyakarta Palace. You better prepare the camera and bring extra memory cards. Let’s visit Yogyakarta Palace, Indonesia..!