Crowds Throng to Await the Keraton Jogja's Mubeng Beteng Procession

Thousands of residents packed the area and the entrance to the Kagungan Dalem Kemandungan Lor, ahead of the Mubeng Beteng procession on Tuesday night (16/7). According to detikJogja monitoring at 11:00 p.m. WIB, the entrance gate to Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Pancaniti had already been closed due to the large number of enthusiastic citizens observing the macapat recitation by the abdi dalem (palace retainers). Residents began arriving around 7:00 p.m. WIB, with the crowd swelling as the night progressed. Hundreds of people sat on the pavements waiting for the Mubeng Beteng to commence, while others waited in front of the gate. “From the Keraton, precisely when the bell at Kagungan Dalem Kemandungan Lor or Keben tolls twelve times, an envoy or representative from the Keraton will release the procession,” explained the Chairman of the Abdi Dalem Association, KRT. Kusumanegara, on Tuesday. “We have also received information that tonight, the son-in-law of Ngarsa Dalem, Kanjeng Yudha, has also graciously agreed to participate and join us for the Mubeng Beteng walk,” he added. KRT. Wijayapamungkas from the Abdi Dalem Association added that the Mubeng Beteng procession would begin from Bangsal Pancaniti at midnight WIB, released by one of the penghageng (senior palace officials). “The route for Mubeng Beteng will proceed from Pancaniti, turning right directly towards Alun-Alun Utara, from Alun-Alun Utara passing through Jalan Kauman to the northwest corner of the fort, turning left directly onto Jalan Wahid Hasyim to the southwest corner of the fort, then heading east to the southeast corner of the fort,” he detailed. “From the southeast corner of the fort heading north to the northeast corner, entering Jalan Gondomanan directly to Alun-Alun Utara, then straight onto Jalan Pangurakan turning left and directly entering. The distance is approximately five kilometres,” concluded Kanjeng Wijayapamungkas.