For those who love the charming culture of Java, this is the perfect moment to visit Yogyakarta.

For three consecutive days, starting Monday, 21st October 2013, the royal palace - or Kraton - of Yogyakarta will be holding a rare special ceremony of Dhaup Ageng or the Grand Royal Wedding of the Sultan's fourth and youngest daughter, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hayu with Kanjeng Pangeran Haryo Notonegoro.

The series of Javanese wedding ceremonies commenced Monday with the ritual of Siraman and Nyantri/sungkeman or bathing and honoring the parents, conducted by both the bride and groom at separate locations. During Siraman, the bride is poured water over her head and shoulders by her parents and older relatives symbolizing the cleansing of her old bad habits as a girl as she enters full womanhood. A similar ceremony takes place at the bridegroom's place by his own parents.

In the evening, the bride's father, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, who is also Governor of Yogyakarta will conduct theTantingao, this is when he officially asks the bride, Princess Hayu , to confirm again that she herself is really prepared and willing to marry her bridegroom, Prince Haryo Notonegoro.

On the Tuesday, 22nd October 2013, at 07.00 am is the actual marriage ceremony called ijab when bride and groom take their wedding vows in the mosque. After this most sacred part of the wedding follow Javanese traditional rituals calledpanggih. Witnessing the entire ceremony will be the President of Indonesia, Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other prominent figures of the country.

A grand royal wedding reception will take place on Wednesday, 23rd October 2013 noon at the Kepatihan. Prior to the reception, the happy couple and their parents, seated in beautifully decorated antique royal horse carriages will be paraded from the Royal Palace to the Kepatihan starting at 08.30 in the morning.

As many as 360 royal soldiers, 12 carriages, and 68 horses will be featured in the royal procession. The carriage of the royal newly wed couple will depart from Keben Kraton at 08.30 am followed by carriages of the sultan's officers. From Keben, the entourage will go through Rotowijayan Street and pass the Grand Kauman Mosqueand the Sonobudoyo

Museum, then proceed north through Trikora Street until it reaches the Kepatihan at Malioboro Road.

While the carriage of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and his wife GKR Hemas will leave from the Palace Pagelaran at 09.00 am at the moment that the royal couple's entourage has reached the Sonobudyo Museum.The entourage of Sri Sultan will be escorted by 240 royal soldiers from 4 bregada (brigades): Wirobojo, Daeng, Ketanggung, and Mantirejo.

This fascinating spectacle is surely something that nobody ever wishes to miss, so if you want to witness this special occasion, make sure to come early and take your place along the designated route.

As Princess Hayu is herself graduate in IT, she has opened her own website detailing all ceremonies, at www.kratonwedding.com

news courtessy:

http://indonesia.travel/en/news/detail/1098/yogyakarta-stages-its-own-grand-royal-wedding