Kauman Great Mosque


Kauman Great Mosque, approximate English translation of Javanese Mesjid Gedhe Kauman is a Great Mosque of the Yogyakarta Sultanate in Java, Indonesia. It is located to the west of the North Alun-alun of Yogyakarta Kraton.

History

The mosque was established in the Kauman, an Islamic quarter near the kraton whose establishment is strongly related with the establishment of Yogyakarta in 1756 and the arrival of foreign Muslim leaders. Kauman Great Mosque was established by Hamengkubuwono I together with Kyai Faqih Ibrahim Diponingrat and Kyai Wiryokusumo as the architect. It was built on Ahad Wage, May 29, 1773 or 6 Rabi'ul Akhir 1187 in Islamic Calendar.

Architecture

Kauman Great Mosque is built in a typical religious Javanese architecture with its triple-tiered roof, lack of minaret, and a serambi. Kauman Great Mosque is built in over a walled complex. The main ceremonial gateway is located on the east side and on the north side. A three-leveled minbar is located to the west. The mosque also contains a roofed main verandah, a basic feature in Javanese architecture. The verandah is surrounded with a small pond, which was used to wash the feet before entering the mosque.
The frontyard of the mosque is grown with trees considered beneficial in Javanese symbology. To the north and south of the courtyard are tall pavilions known as pagongan. The north-side is called Pagongan Ler and the south-side is called Pagongan Kidul. During Sekaten ceremony, Pagonan Ler is used to place the gamelan set of Kyai Naga Wilaga, while the Pagongan Kidul is used to place the gamelan set of Kangjeng Kyai Guntur Madu.

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