I. Puro Pakualaman Internal Organization

II. Art & Cultural Activities

  1. Javanese Court Dance
    The regular dance exercises:
    1. Mondays : 05.00 p.m. - 07.00 p.m. Pendopo/Hall Sewotomo.
    2. Thursdays : 05.00 p.m. - 07.00 p.m. Pendopo Sewotomo
      For more information, see Javanese Traditional Dance – Classical Dance of Puro Pakualaman

  2. Javanese Gamelan Music
    1. Mondays : 04.00 p.m. – 06.00 p.m. Pendopo Sewotomo
    2. Thursday : 04.00 p.m. – 06.00 p.m. Pendopo Sewotomo
    3. Sundays Pon : one in every 35 days 10.30 a.m. – 01.00 p.m. Uyon-uyon - gamelan orchestra – Muryo Raras Pendopo Sewotomo Note: In this opportunity, the Puro court dancers are also training Bedoyo and Srimpi dances, sometimes with complete costume.
    4. Sundays Paing : One in every 35 days Pendopo Sewotomo
      Gamelan training for Muryo Raras performance of Sundays Pon.
      See Karaton Gamelan.

Daily Activities

Monday
Pendopo Sewotomo – 05.00 p.m. – 07.00 p.m.
Gamelan and Dance training

Thursday
Pendopo Sewotomo – 05.00 p.m. – 07.00 p.m.
Gamelan and Dance training

Sundays Pon
Pendopo Sewotomo – 10.30 p.m. – 01.00 p.m.
Gamelan orchestra Muryo Raras
Sometimes with Bedaya and Srimpi training or performance with complete costume.

Sundays Paing
Pendopo Sewotomo
Gamelan training for Muryo Raras performance of Sundays Pon.

Museum
Mondays 09.00 a.m. – 12.00 a.m.
Thursdays 09.00 a.m. – 12.00 a.m.

Cultural / Ritual Ceremonies

  1. In the Javenese month of Suro, the Heirlooms / Pusaka cleaning
    In the 1st of Suro, all members of Pakualaman court family shall purify on their own, traditionally by taking holy bath.

  2. The 29th of Javanese month of Mulud, the birthday ceremony of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam VIII

  3. The 1st of Javanese month of Sawal. Family court audience to K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam VIII.
    See Garebeg

  4. Rajawedha (Royal offering) for the safety and welfare of the country and its people. The ritual is conducted in the South Sea, Mt. Merapi, Mt. Lawu and Pangrango.

  5. Rituals to Mataram anchestors, among other to:
    • Panembahan Senopati (Kotagede)
    • Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo (Imogiri)
    • Panembahan Purboyo (Wotgaleh)
    • Panembahan Bodho (Makamsewu) etc.

III. Tourist Promotion

The beautifully decorated and carefully preserved Puro Pakualaman is located in Jl. Sultan Agung, just 2 Km East of the famous city main post-office. A visit by becak (pedicab) or Andong (carriage drawn by a horse) or taxi is convenient and not expensive.

Interesting Objects / Museums

The Puro Pakualaman offers 3 interesting objects for visitors.

  1. The Hall of Sewotomo
    A nice spacious hall for court ceremonies where the gamelan set, named Kyai Kebogiro are kept. The hall is magnificently decorated. For detailed of the mansion, see Puro Pakualaman.

  2. The Museum
    It opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, from 09.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m.
    See Puro Pakualaman.

  3. The Library
    It opens on Mondays and Thursdays only, from 09.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. There are several Javanese classical books written by the Pakualaman families. The book, Serat Darma Wirayat, is a masterpiece of Sri Paku Alam III.

It looks like that Puro Pakualaman does not open widely its door for tourism. It is not true, the fact is that Puro Pakualaman is adopting the policy of mutual appreciation in culture. It takes part actively in some art and cultural festivals in the country and abroad.

IV. Social Engagement

Sri Paku Alam VIII was a traditional and at the some time an official leader in traditional Yogyakarta. it is easy to understand that he had very tight schedule. He had official and formal duties but he had also to lead or to attend various traditional events. Consequently some members of the family were also involved. In the future, such kind of positive engagement should be continued by the Puro Pakualaman court family.

(Suryo S. Negoro)