Bekakak

Yogyakarta saves the diverse cultures, which may still rarely known by the population outside Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is still a lot of people who lay on cultural diversity that is because some of them are migrants. One of the cultural wealth of its resonance still reverberates less than Grebeg mulud Saparan or ceremony is also known with Kirab Bekakak.

Bekakak carnival held each year in Gamping, Sleman actually this entry in the calendar of tourism government Sleman Yogyakarta province and the government. But somehow because of the location of the implementation of far from the city center, or because of other factors, shows that this is indeed a far to a rousing compared Grebeg mulud or sekatenan. This event is held each Friday, Sunday Sapar to three weeks (weeks in the name of Islam). In fact, this carnival bekakak no less interesting to follow and enjoy.

In each an organized, carnival route begins from Central Village Ambarketawang, running toward Pesanggrahan Ambarketawang, located in the Gamping Mount. In carnival, carnivaled are two pairs of dolls bride, also called bekakak, made from rice flour filled with sticky rice or red sugar water disbursed. In addition carnival bekakak, carnival also followed by a group of brigade soldiers as well as various kinds of traditional art. After reaching in Pesanggarahan, bride or bekakak is cut to exit juruhnya and then distributed to the visitors.

The visitor is always willing to wait while the thrust to get part of bekakak it. They believe, though few, bekakak body made of sticky rice that can bring blessings for the success they have. This tradition is still attached on the part of the Java community in general and Yogyakarta in particular. People call ngalap blessing.

The story behind the organization bekakak this carnival of death was trusted Ki Wirosuto with their families due to failure Gamping Mt. Ki Wirosuto itself is a servant of King Mataram Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. Saparan ceremony is a command from the Sultan to the village headman Gamping to create a celebration with a pair of dolls made of sticky rice flour rice containing a red liquid sugar. Dolls must cuted as simbolisasi of Ki Wirosuto.
There are also another story said that this tradition is also for the safety of local residents who generally work as lime Gamping authorities. It seems that many people first slipped and died while taking Gamping. And the strange are fatal accidents that always happen in Sapar. Therefore, with forged in the tradition Saparan, local people believe that the tradition is able to provide peace and peace for them. With maintain and preserve this tradition, luck and all sorts of dangers can be trusted avoid from the local community

Waroeng, Steak and Shake

First opened on 4 September 2000, Waroeng Steak & Shake or the more popular with a "WAS" for the first time in Yogyakarta is located at Jl. No Paradise. 30. Just after that, four other Waroeng steak in the open and then follow.

 

To accommodate the enthusiasm of the people who Yogyakarta welcomes opening of the food with typical yellow color, the owners of these eating places directly respond with the opening of four other branches in different places. With the opening of the branch, the expected needs of the community will be a culinary tour, especially steak can be fulfilled.

 

WAS made a breakthrough by introducing steak to the people of Yogyakarta in general have not been known to be a popular success. With a relatively affordable price, but maintain the taste that is not typically owned by others is one of the factors that encourage such success. All the good people among children, students, university students and young executives can enjoy a special steak dish typical WAS.

With a capacity of around 80 seats, Radio, which also has opened a branch in Solo, Semarang and Medan this really want to give food to the price of food is relatively cheap and can be enjoyed by all circles. You serve with the motto "Not Steak Ordinary," Waroeng Steak is intended to be a fit for your mad Steak and want to treat your friends.

Opening four more branches in Yogyakarta that you want to make it easier to eat this place based on the location nearest you. Enjoy steak ...

Sosrowijayan, A Tourist Kampong

Walking about 200 meters southwards from Tugu railway station, along Malioboro Street, you will find Sosrowijayan kampong. A plank at the corner of the small street with the same name on it leads you to the area. Connecting Dagen Street and Malioboro Street, Sosrowijayan is split into two areas, namely East Sosrowijayan and West Sosrowijayan. Later, East Sosrowijayan is known as the second famous tourist kampong in Yogyakarta after Prawirotaman.

Arriving at the T-junction of the street named after the past authority of the area (Sosrowijoyo), you will be greeted friendly by pedicab drivers. Usually, they will assist you to get lodgings or take a mini tour along Malioboro Street or to get bakpia (the special snack of this city) at Pathok area by riding their pedicab. Many guides will readily assist you to get lodgings, for example. They will tell you many things about places of interests in Yogyakarta, too.

Entering Sosrowijayan area, you will see an old building functioning as a lodging, namely Aziatic Hotel. The building that was built during the Dutch colonization has typical European architecture. The building has white wall with three doors and some supporting pillars on the front side, while the name of the hotel is directly embossed to the wall in black color. Once, this hotel was used as the shooting location of 'Daun di Atas Bantal (The Leaf on A Pillow)' film that was shown in Cannes Film Festival.

Entering the first alley, there are two bookshops. Most of the works sold there are novels in English; some of them are in Indonesian language. You can freely select or just take a quick reading of the content since they are all unwrapped. Even though most of them are used ones, physical quality of the books is preserved so well that they are worth collecting. The prices vary but they are definitely cheaper than those in bookshops.

References :

www.yogyes.com 

Mandala Krida Stadium

Mandala Krida Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is used as the home stadium for PSIM Yogyakarta. The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 people.

Plengkung Gading

 

 

Plengkung Gading is the largest and most impressive of the remaining gateways which were originally set in the four kilometer stone wall surrounding the Kraton complex. Built after a European model, the gate once had a moat and a drawbride, whice have not survived. Another gate, called Plengkung Tarunosuro, is visible on the northern side of the palace. The eastern gate was rammed by British sepoy Indian Soldiers under Governor raffles in 1812, after which the troops looted the Kraton and made off with seven million dollars worth of booty.

Pakualaman Palace

The magnificent, well preserved Pakualaman Palace or locally known as Puro Pakualaman, located 2 km east of the city main Post office at Sultan Agung street. This palace is belonged to Pakualaman principality (Kadipaten). Its story dated back to March 17, 1813 when Prince Notokusumo, the son of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I with Princess Srenggorowati was throned by the British Lieutenant Governor General Sir Thomas Raffles as Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya (K.G.P.A.A.) Paku Alam I. This brilliant Prince was coronated as 'Pangeran Merdiko' (Free Prince) on June 1812 as proposed by Sultan Hamengku Buwono II.

This principality was given its own territory, consisting of 4.000 cacah at Pajang, Bagelan, westward of Yogya and an area located between rivers Progo and Bogowonto, in Adikarto Region, western Yogya.

The 5,4238 ha palace compound reflects a strong center of Javanese culture. The architect of this Puro was K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam I himself, who was an expert in culture and literature.

References :

www.wisatasejarah.wordpress.com

South Square of Yogyakarta (Alun-alun Kidul)

Those who had lived in Yogyakarta will never forget friendly nuance of the South Square. With your friends at college, you might have sat in one night on the mat spread close to stalls around the square while discussing your tasks or talking about popular juniors in campus. You might just have a chat with your neighbors or your colleagues when you stayed in Yogyakarta while enjoying the sweet, hot ronde or bajigur beverages.The South Square is an area at the back part of the Sultan's Palace that you can reach southwards from Wijilan, the central place for purchasing of Gudeg as special food of Yogyakarta. Symbolized by a calm elephant, the South Square is the balance of the North Square that is so busy. For the reason, the South Square is considered the resting place for the gods. It is clear now that the area functions as the place for people to calm their hearts down.

The area begins to be busy at five o'clock in the afternoon. Food and drink sellers began to erect tents and to prepare their food and drink to be sold. When night comes, you can begin enjoying the food and beverages. You can try traditional beverage called ronde containing peanut, fruit of sugar palm, and rounded dough of rice flour filled with palm sugar that are poured with hot, light ginger-taste liquid. The price is quite cheap, only at 2,500 Indonesian Rupiah. In addition to ronde, you can try the so-called bajigur beverage. It is similar to ronde with strong taste of ginger but its thick liquid is made from coconut milk, coffee and syrup of palm sugar. It contains slices of bread, coconut and fruit of sugar palm. These hot beverages are the best choices to expel the coldness of night while chatting with your friends. When you are hungry, some choices of dishes are available. Baked corn, baked banana or baked bread are good companions for ronde or bajigur drinks. The corn is spread with margarine and chili sauce before it is baked while the banana is spread with chocolate that will melt when it is baked. Baked bread is available in various tastes. All of them are simply delicious!

If you want to eat rice, it will come with some side dishes such as fried chicken, grilled fish and fried tempe. Those are all common side dishes you can find in most restaurants in Indonesia. However, if you include the nuance of the South Square into its ingredients, the cuisine becomes so special. Served in cross-legged arrangement, most of the food and drink are offered at affordable prices. You will be satisfied with spending 5,000 Indonesian Rupiah only. Then, you can try an attraction called Masangin, namely walking through two banyan trees in the middle of the square with your eyes being closed with black cloth that is available for rent at 3,000 Rupiah. The belief says that those who successfully do it will get unlimited blessing. However, do not try to peep since you will enter to other world so that it is difficult for you to return to the real world!

Please ask the person who has been renting the black cloth for thirty years, namely Mr. Albertus Harjo Suwito, anything about Masangin. He will explain that renting black cloth is not merely a business for him but it is an effort to preserve the culture and belief of the past community. The ritual of going through between two banyan trees is not mystical but it is means of saying our prayer to God. The answering of the prayer will depend on one's belief. At certain occasion, you can see leather puppet performance in Sasono Hinggil Dwi Abad, the building that is located adjacent to the South Square. You have to prepare yourself to enjoy the nightlong performance. You can also see the troops of Yogyakarta Kingdom are preparing themselves before joining the Grebeg ceremony (to commemorate the birth of Muhammad). They gather in this square before the ceremony and then march to the North Square at the ceremonial day. At day, you can also enjoy different situation of the South Square. You can see the elephants of the Kingdom in its stall or children playing football in the afternoon. Antique things are also sold around the square.

References :

www.yogyes.com

www.gudeg.net

Sasmitaloka Museum, The House of General Sudirman

The house located on Jalan Bintaran Wetan No.3 Yogyakarta is the house where General Sudirman used to live and it now becomes Sasmitaloka museum of the Great Commander General Sudirman. Sasmitaloka in Javanese language means the place to remember, to commemorate. This museum is the place to commemorate services and sacrifices of General Sudirman.

This building that was constructed during the Dutch Indian government in 1890 has very long history. At the early time of its foundation, this historical building was meant for a finance officer of Paku Alam VII castle, Mr Winschenk. During Japanese colony this building was vacant and the goods were confiscated. In the independence time of the Republic of Indonesia, this building was used as the camp for Tukul Company of Suharto Battalion. Since 18 December 1945 until 19 December 1948 this became official residence of General Sudirman when he became the Highest Commander of TKR. Then, during the Dutch Aggression II it was used by the Dutch colony as the Camp of IVG T Brigade and after the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia on 17 December 1949, was used as the office of Yogyakarta Military Command, then dormitory for XII Infantry Regiment and invalid people respectively. On 17 June 1968 it was used as Infantry Central Museum until it was inaugurated as the Museum of Sasmitaloka General Sudirman on 30 August 1982.

Inna Garuda Hotel....

This hotel is legendary as an integral part of Yogyakarta since 1908. Inna Garuda's 223 rooms are furnished in classic but modern elegance and face Malioboro Street, the heart of Yogyakarta. All the amenities expected in an international standard hotel are at your fingertips because You are everything to us!

Kotabaru, The Old City

Cool weather will greet you when you pass by the area north east of Malioboro, the area to the east side of Code River that is now named Kotabaru. Shady trees grow in the center space of the streets, sheltering people from the sun and dividing the two-way street. With old buildings standing firmly on both sides of the street, Kotabaru area becomes an area worth more than being passed by. Kotabaru, previously named Nieuwe Wijk, is an area that has been improving since 1920 as consequence of increased crowdedness of Loji Kecil area. The growth of sugar industry, plantation, and increased interest of developing education and health increased the number of Dutch people who lived in Yogyakarta. Kotabaru becomes an alternative dwelling area with complete facilities, similar to Menteng area in Jakarta.

You will feel distinctive impression once you enter this area. The design of the area was set following radial pattern as common towns in Netherlands. It is different from other areas in Yogyakarta that most of them were set following points of compasses. Big trees, plants of flowers and fruits in this area signaling that Kotabaru was designed as a garden city, completed with boulevard wide streets. Each corners of Kotabaru are not only beautiful, but they also keep stories. Kewek road as the south entrance of this area, for example, keeps funny story. The bridge road connecting the east and west sides of Code River was named Kerkweg road; due to difficulty to pronounce such a word by Javanese people, it became Kewek. Forming as a bridge, the road that is now named Abubakar Ali is also called Kreteg Kewek.

Directing northwards from Kreteg Kewek, you will find Saint Anthony church. Characteristic of European building can be seen from the high minaret in the front part of the church, 16 big concrete columns, and the concave ceiling. The church that was built in the year 1926 and was previously named Antonius van Padua began to grow when the praying place in Mr Perquin's house (in front of Syuhada Mosque) did not accommodate the Catholics anymore.Entering Kotabaru further, you will find some historical buildings, for example Saint Ignatius College building that was used as the office of Defense Ministry, the building of SMAN 3 (high school) as AMS building, the building of SMP 5 (junior school) that was used as Normalschool, and the building of SMU BOPKRI I (high school) that was functioned as Christelijke MULO building and Military Academy. You will find also the office of Tourism Council as the end of the guerilla war by General Soedirman, an Indonesian national hero that was famous for his guerilla struggle.One building that is architecturally pronounced is Bimo building. The building was designed with art deco concept, an architecture that grew fast in 1920s-1930s, giving priority to local traditional aspect by being open to new things and accompanied by the spirit to be different from the existing buildings. The shape of Bimo building is stretching like other characteristic European buildings, but the upper front part is in arching form.Other prominent, historical building is the office of Jiwasraya Insurance. During the Dutch colonization, this building was inhabited by an officer of Nill Maatschappij Insurance Company, while during the Japanese colonization it was dwelled by Butaico Major Otsuka, a Japanese army senior officer. On 6 October 1945, this building was used as a meeting place between Moh Saleh Bardosono and Otsuka in the frame of weapons handover.If you not yet satisfied looking the old buildings, you can walk along each corners of Kotabaru. A row of old buildings with Dutch architecture is found easily. Some of them having historical value are the building located at the end of the road leading to Gondolayu Bridge that used to function as the office of Foreign Affairs, the house of Brigadier General Katamso to the east of Kridosono Stadium, and the building of electricity post with characteristic Dutch design.

The corners of Kotabaru now grow dynamically. There are some cafes to relax after joining tour to enjoy the old cities, an art gallery to hold exhibitions, and some places where you can taste various cuisines, even a gymnastic place. The enchantment of Kotabaru as a garden city can still be enjoyed while sitting and sheltering on either side of the street.

References :

www.yogyes.com

Tugu Station

The station is located near Malioboro street in Yogyakarta. When you step for the first time on Tugu Railways Station, your mind will go along the station as if you are brought to the past, the era of Dutch colonialism, since the building is a heritage made by the Dutch. Tugu Railways Station becomes one of the witness of Indonesian people's history and it gives you the trails through details of the building, of exterior and interior which blend with the business in the railways station.

Trains that pass through Tugu station :

    * Argo Dwipangga to Gambir and Solo Balapan

    * Argo Lawu to Gambir and Solo Balapan

    * Argo Wilis to Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng

    * Bima to Gambir and Surabaya Gubeng

    * Gajayana to Gambir and Malang

    * Mutiara Selatan to Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng

    * Lodaya Malam to Bandung and Solo Balapan

    * Lodaya Siang to Bandung and Solo Balapan

    * Sancaka to Surabaya Gubeng

    * Taksaka to Gambir

    * Turangga to Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng

Lempuyangan is The Older Train Station

Jogja as one of train operational zone (DAOP VI) in java have 3 train station : Tugu, Lempuyangan, Maguwo. Where is the older train station? Tugu? you wrong, because Lempuyangan established before. But because of the position of Tugu Station where is near Malioboro Street which very famous for tourists made lempuyangan not known well. Today Economic Class Train will stop only at lempuyangan, Executive Class and Business Class will stop at Tugu, except Prameks (Business Class) which will stop at 3 train station in jogja.

Economic class as the major passenger in train transportation made management of Lempuyangan station build East Gate and closed West Gate as ticketing area. East Gate is a new gate with new and better design than the West Gate that build long long time ago.

 

Railway services that utilise this station :

    * Bangunkarta to Pasar Senen and Jombang

    * Bengawan to Tanah Abang and Solo Jebres

    * Fajar Utama Yogya to Pasar Senen

    * Kahuripan to Padalarang and Kediri

    * Logawa to Purwokerto and Jember

    * Matarmaja to Pasar Senen and Malang

    * Pasundan to Bandung Kiaracondong and Surabaya Gubeng

    * Prambanan Ekspress to Kutuarjo and Solo Balapan

    * Progo to Pasar Senen

    * Senja Utama Solo to Pasar Senen and Solo Jebres

    * Senja Utama Yogya to Pasar Senen

    * Sri Tanjung to Banyuwangi

References :

www.wikipedia.com

www.stayinjogja.blogspot.com

Ambarketawang, The First Palace of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom

I visited this one of historical sites in Yogyakarta at 27 October 2006. Fortunately, this site is not far from my home, say about 3 km. This ruin of palace is located in Padukuhan Tlogo, Ambarketawang, about 6 Km of southwest from the city of Yogyakarta. This Palace was established by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. He used in this site as temporary palace, while he was building the new Mataram Palace (present Kraton mataram Yogyakarta).

This is the remnant of Ambarketawang Palace, consist of ruins of Pendopo, wall, and Padusan (old well and bathroom), also Kestalan (horse barn).Through an excavation in 1981 there are two findings i.e. monumental findings (fence, archway, ground plan of the buildings I and II, urung-urung and gunungan) and non-monumental findings (pieces of foreign ceramics, pieces of local ceramics, and fragments of metals) as recorded on the study result of Provincial Office of Education and Culture DIY, Geology Park and Historical Remnants of Ambarketawang, 1981.

To the east of the wall, there is a big stone encircled with iron fence. The big stone was pas of a limestone hill existing in the area. The story tells that it was the existence of the limestone hill deciding the location of the palace construction. Now, the hill has disappeared since much of the limestone was utilized to build houses.To the right of the big stone, there is a stage as big as the stone, which is not part of the pesanggrahan. The stage was used in one of the offering ceremonies, namely the slaughtering of bekakak (the mannequin of bridal couple). This ceremony is held in commemoration of the many people who were killed while collecting the limestone and now it is done once a year after the date of 20 of Javanese month Sapar.

 

Generally, the procession of the offering ceremony is done until the front part of pesanggrahan Ambarketawang. Various art performances such as leather puppet, macapat, gamelan and so on are held there. Tarsono told that the offering ceremony that is often called as Saparan is still crowded by visitors both from nearby areas and from distant villages.If we come to visit pesanggrahan Ambarketawang when Saparan ceremony is held, the enchantment of the first area of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat kingdom will be complete. However, if you do not have time to visit on the day, you can still enjoy its history anytime. At least, you can enjoy the enchantment of the area of this pesanggrahan. No expenses are imposed to enter this area.

 

References :

www.wikimapia.org

www.mahandisyoanata.multiply.com
www.yogyes.com