Yogyakarta Palace Confirms 2026 Grebeg Syawal Procession Without Elephants

Yogyakarta — The Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace has confirmed that elephants will no longer be presented in the procession of towering rice cone structures (gunungan) and paraden floats during the Grebeg Syawal 2026 celebration, also known as Garebeg Sawal Dal 1959.

Penghageng II Kawedanan Kaprajurit and Manggala Prajurit of Yogyakarta Palace KPH Notonegoro stated that this policy aligns with Circular Letter Number 6 of 2025 regarding the cessation of elephant displays at conservation institutions, issued by the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) under Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry.

“Beginning with this Garebeg Sawal Dal 1959 celebration, elephants will not participate in the procession or the paraden procession,” Notonegoro said in a statement in Yogyakarta on Friday.

He explained that Grebeg Syawal is part of the palace’s Hajad Dalem observance to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah at Yogyakarta Palace, scheduled to take place on Friday, 20 March.

The procession will commence with soldier brigade preparations at 06:30 Western Indonesian Time at the Kamandhungan Kidul Complex within Yogyakarta Palace, before the soldier brigade and gunungan structures descend Siti Hinggil at the Palace Grounds at approximately 09:00 WIB.

Penghageng II Kawedanan Reksa Suyasa of Yogyakarta Palace KRT Kusumonegoro explained that the Numplak Wajik ceremony will be held at Panti Pareden, Magangan Complex on Tuesday, 17 March in the late afternoon.

“For those who wish to attend and witness the ceremony directly, you are welcome, but we kindly request that you maintain order,” said Kusumonegoro.

Yogyakarta Palace also urged the public participating in the Eid al-Fitr and Garebeg Sawal observances to maintain discipline, including clearing the way for the soldier brigade and gunungan processions before the structures are distributed to the community.