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 Arts, Cultures, Rituals and other Information of Karaton Yogyakarta. The artistic construction of the palace, the magnificent ornaments and decorations are very impressive. The architect of this great Karaton, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono had chosen brilliantly the site of the palace, from environmental and mystical point of view. It is located in a vast plain between two rivers, Code in the east and Winongo in the west. Water which is very essential for daily life is easy to find, at the sametime no flood should occur. The mystical line of South Sea-Karaton-Mt. Merapi is believed to give strong protection to the Karaton, to the city and the region. The populist king of Yogyakarta-the late Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX was the first king of Java who opened the palace to public. He was a fighter of the country’s independence, the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region, the second Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. One of his famous words was "Throne for the People" showing his progressive standpoint. The policy of the late Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX is continued by his son and successor Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, who said during his coronation ‘What for the throne and the tittle of Sultan (for me), if they are not beneficial to the society. For the Javanese, a name has a meaning. The name of Hamengku Buwono means: Hamangku : pleased to serve people Furthermore he says that a great and powerful King (Ratu Gung Binatoro) is not an absolute power and feudalism but is a leader who has capability to protect the people in a just, prosperous and safe country where the people has the right to evaluate the work of the leader. The present Sultan is also the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region (click: Tourism, Yogyakarta Tourist Office, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, from traditional leader to Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region). The Karaton and its highly valuable culture are well preserved, welcome to be visited and admired by local and International visitors.
(Suryo S. Negoro) |
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