The remnants of Mataram

Mon, February 5, 2018 / 03:05 pm

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Mataram Kotagede grand mosque’s gate has the number indicating the year of the construction of the place of worship. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Sandals are scattered in front of the mosque prior to the Dzuhur (midday) prayer. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Muslims leave the mosque after prayer. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Children play in the front yard of the grand mosque. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Pilgrims wear Javanese traditional costumes when paying respect in Kotagede's royal graveyard. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Visitors are using umbrellas to cover themselves from the rain. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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The year of Panembahan Senopati's coronation is written on the wall. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Hindu carvings are visible on the walls of the port in Kotagede. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Information in Javanese is available in the locker room. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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A visitor waits in front of the locker room before paying respect in the royal graveyard. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Courtiers leave the Kotagede fort after conducting their routines in the royal graveyard. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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A girl rides her bike in the mosque's compound after performing the midday prayer. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Pilgrims wearing Javanese traditional costume walk inside the royal graveyard compound. JP/Boy T. Harjanto

The Mataram Sultanate was established in the year 1509 when Sultan Hadiwijaya, the ruler of the Sultanate of Pajang, gave away the Alas Mentaok (Mentaok forest) to Ki Gede Pemanahan for the latter’s service in helping conquer the enemies of Pajang.

Pemanahan and his family and followers then moved to the forest, which contained the remnants of the Mataram Hindu kingdom.

He also built a small village in the forest. When he passed away, his son Senopati Ingalaga – which later on was honored as Panembahan or His Majesty – took over the area. He then developed the village into a city called Kotagede, which literally means a big city.

Today, the remnants of the Mataram Sultanate were only a fort in Kotagede which comprises the Mataram kings’ grave and a grand mosque.

On certain nights of the Javanese lunar calendar, many people visit the royal graveyard and the mosque to pay respect and pray.