Garebeg Besar Yogyakarta

The Garebeg Besar, Yogyakarta is a famous festival where thousands of people participate. All stand before the Pagelaran,that is in the front hall of Karaton and also in Alun-alun Lor. There are huge numbers also who gather just to watch the Garebeg procession go by.

The festivities during the Garebeg Besar, Yogyakarta

During the Garebeg Besar, Yogyakarta the sound of the trumpets and the drums reverberate from the Pagelaran and then the Karaton soldiers come out dressed in all their splendid uniforms of all colors and with their traditional arms and armaments. There are different kinds of banners and they march towards the Gunungan with offerings of food. This food has been brought from the Karaton and carried to the Great Mosque. This is a gift from the Sultan and it is said to bring about happiness and fortune. This is considered to bring about great prosperity in the family and so people almost fight to get bits and pieces of this offering to carry back to their homes and share it with their own family.

What is Garebeg?

This means the escorting of the king and the high ranking officials to receive the respect from the subordinates during the Gunungan offerings. This festival dates back to the 12th Century and it was used later on to spread the word of Islam.

The occasion:

The occasion of Garebeg Besar, Yogyakarta is held thrice annually and one can visit Yogyakarta any time to witness the festivities here.

There is the Garebeg Maulud that is held on the 12th of Maulud on the day when the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W was born.

The next is the Garebeg Sawal held on the first day of the month of Sawal.

The last one is the Garebeg Besar celebrated on the 1oth of Besar. This is the day of the Idul Adha or the day of the Sacrifice.