I. Puro Mangkunagaran Internal Organization

II. Art & Cultural Activities

1. Javanese Court Dance

   1. Training
      In Pendopo (Court Hall):
      Mondays - afternoon
      Wednesdays - 9.00 – 12.00 am
      For court employees, joined by dancers from SMKI (School of Performing Arts) and STSI (Higher School of Arts).
      Saturdays - afternoon
      Preservation of classical court dance.

   2. Lesson
      For children & youngsters in Suryosumirat Dance Association in Prangwedanan
      For more information, see Javanese Traditional Dance – Classical Dance of Puro Mangkunagaran

2. Gamelan Music Training
   In Langenprojo (West of Pendopo)
   Tuesdays - 9.00 – 12.00 am
   Lesson for Sinden (Singing)
   Thursdays - 9.00 – 12.00 am
   Lesson for foreigners.
   Fridays - 9.00 – 12.00 am
   Preservation of classical gamelan music.
   see who’s who R.M.T. Ronosuripto

3. Javanese Gamelan Music
   In Pendopo (Court Hall)
   Saturdays - 9.00 – 10.30 am
   Monggang
   Saturdays Pon - 10.00 p.m to midnight
   The Weton-day. (Javanese birthday of Sri Mangkoenagoro IX)
   See Karaton Gamelan.
   

4. Wayang Leather Puppetry
   In P.D. MN (Pasinaon Dalang Mangkunagaran – Mangkunagaran Schooling of Puppetry).
   Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays in the afternoon.
   At Jl. R.M. Said 111, Punggawan.
   see Traditional Institution – PDMN Mangkunagaran Traditional Schooling of Dalang

Daily Activities

Cultural / Ritual Ceremonies

1. 1^st of Javanese month of Suro.
   In the eve of 1^st Suro.
   1. Heirlooms procession.
      About one hour walk, surrounding the Mangkunagaran palace.
   2. Midnight Samadi/meditation in nDalem Ageng for court inner circle.

2. The 9^th of Javanese month of Suro.
   To commemorate of the coronation of His Highness K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro IX. In the Pendopo, a Bedaya sacred dance is performed. As tradition for this occasion, His Highness K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro IX usually gives rewards the Title of Nobility to some members of Mangkunagaran family or to those who have rendered a good service to Puro Mangkunagaran.

3. The birthday of K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro IX on August 18, 1951.
   Usually a leather puppet performance or Javanese dance is held in the Pendopo.

4. Other Rituals see Ritual of life’s Cycle - Tedak Siten

see Ritual for Coronation

III. Tourist Promotion

The magnificent Mangkunagaran Palace or locally known as Puro Mangkunagaran stands proudly in the down town of Solo. It is easily reachable from every hotel of the city. The location is very convenient, even for new visitors.

The court families under the present leader of Sri Mangkoenagoro IX manage to preserve the high valuable cultural heritage of their ancestors – the Mataram dynasty. There is no day in this Puro without any art and cultural activities. The Puro Mangkunagaran as one of the cradle of Javanese culture is committed to the preservation and development of Javanese culture.

This classical culture in this modern time, remains as beautiful as ever. The beauty of the palace and its contents, nowadays, can be enjoyed also by local and foreign visitors coming from different parts of the world.

A sight seeing to the Palace can be done everyday and the Mangkunagaran Tourist Bureau is available at any time to arrange a special package programme requested by the visitors, such as

• Royal dinner and watching classical court dance with gamelan accompaniment. (2 hours duration)

• Wayang kulit (leather puppet) performance with a shortened 2 hours or whole nite show etc.

Tour leaders and guides conversant in Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese who know very well Mangkunagaran as well as Javanese art and culture are available.

Interesting Objects/ Museum

1. The Pendopo (the front Hall)
   A place where sacred Bedoyo and other court dancer performed.
   The heirloom gamelan set of 250 years old by the name: Kyai Kanyut Mesem can be seen here.
   The top ceiling of the Pendopo is painted with ornament KUMUDAWATI, depicting Javanese philosophical teaching, with 12 zodiacs and 8 divine attributes and a spectrum of 8 colors in the middle.

2. The nDalem Ageng
   Its contents and function and symbolic meanings of the objects. (Krobongan, LoroBlonyo statues etc)

3. Balewari
   The domain of the Princesses.

   

4. Pracimoyoso
   A building with a combination of modern and traditional architecture.

   

   • Various collection of gold ornaments and accessories, such as:
     Rings, ear-rings, palace regalia and jeweleries
   • Gold plated customs for dancers.
   • Collection of masks.
   • Collection of traditional weapons: Keris. Spears etc.
   • Silver and crystal wears.
   • Royal Carts

     

The Library

The Puro has a rich collection of books, a genuine source of information, visited by many students, scholars and historians. The famous book of Javanese philosophy "Wedatomo" was masterpiece of the late Sri Mangkoenagoro IV.

Pilgrimage

For those who are interested in traditional pilgrimage to the graveyards of Mangkunagaran families, a grouped pilgrimage can be arranged or permit can be issued.

The important pilgrimages are:

1. Mangadeg Royal Cemetery of the late Sri Mangkoenagoro I, II and III.
2. Girilayu Royal Cemetery of the late Sri Mangkoenagoro IV, V, VII and VIII.
3. Nayu Royal Cemetery of the late Sri Mangkoenagoro VI.

NB. At the beginning, this pilgrimage service was rendered to the Mangkunagaran families residing outside Solo mainly for practical reason. As interest from other party was growing, the Puro could arrange it upon request.

Evening visit to Puro Mangkunagaran on a special occasion, for instance when the Puro is organizing a certain ceremony, can be arranged. Nowadays, Puro Mangkunagaran carries out an open door policy for visitors worldwide. It is cordially hoped that whatever they have seen in Mangkunagaran Palace: art, culture, precious things and ritual etc. should be beneficial and remain as one of the best remembrance in their successful life. To facilitate professionally a visitor’s interest, kindly contact:

Mangkunagaran Tourist Bureau.
(Biro Pariwisata Mangkunagaran)
Phone : 0271 – 44946
Fax : 0271 – 46606

IV. Social Engagement

As a traditional leader, Sri Mangkoenagoro IX and/or his wife K.B.R.Ay.A. Mangkoenagoro IX, by the request of the society, have a honorable obligation to participate in various events, such in charity gatherings, traditional contests and other cultural activities.

V. The Mangkoenagoro’s Family Association H.K.M.N – Suryosumirat

The Mangkunagaran’s court families have a strong traditional relation preserved up to present date. From time to time they organize meeting or get gathering to strengthen the family union or to do positive things to preserve high valuable Mangkunagaran Art, Culture and Tradition.

The H.K.M.N. Association consciously supports the continuous efforts of K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro IX as the family leader and one of the recognized traditional – court leader to preserve and disseminate Javanese Art and Culture in the society.

see Sri Mangkoenagoro IX: Looking Forward for a Brighter Future.

Joglosemar Online is grateful to His Highness Sri Mangkoenagoro IX for the interview and to his staffs: