Astana Giribangun
Encyclopedia
Astana Giribangun, is a mausoleum
complex for the Suharto family of former President
of the Republic of Indonesia.
It is located in Karang Bangun, Kecamatan Matesih, Kabupaten (Regency) Karanganyar, Central Java
Province approximately 35 kilometres from the city of Solo
. The archaic Javanese
prose title translates as "Palace of the Arisen mountain" .
The building is in traditional Java
nese architectural style and occupying parts of the Mangkunegaran
Royal Cemetery complex, it is approximately 300 metres from the burial sites of the Solonese royals Mangkunegara I
, II and III. Former Indonesian President Soeharto was buried in Astana Giribangun following his death on the 28th of January 2008 with full State military honours, beside his late wife, Madame Tien Soeharto (Siti Hartinah
Soeharto, who died earlier on April 28, 1996) and her late mother Mrs. Soehjarto.
The actual site was controversial at the time as many Javanese believed Madame Suharto not to be of true noble blood, but the descendent of a faithful court servant (who was born a commoner). The Mangkunegaran Court reconciled this controversy and decreed Suharto may indeed build his Astana, but may not be built any higher than a pre-existing Royal tomb.
Astana Mangadeg, where Astana Giribangun is sited, was considered a powerful location by many dukun
, spiritualists and soothsayers for the strongly kejawen or kebatinan Suharto to meditate and derive charisma or sakti
(magicks).
The Astana Giribangun complex may be seen on Wikimapia at this location (7.651922°N 111.070758°W
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
complex for the Suharto family of former President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Republic of Indonesia.
It is located in Karang Bangun, Kecamatan Matesih, Kabupaten (Regency) Karanganyar, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
Province approximately 35 kilometres from the city of Solo
Surakarta
Surakarta, also called Solo or Sala, is a city in Central Java, Indonesia of more than 520,061 people with a population density of 11,811.5 people/km2. The 44 km2 city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Sukoharjo Regency to the east and...
. The archaic Javanese
Javanese language
Javanese language is the language of the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. In addition, there are also some pockets of Javanese speakers in the northern coast of western Java...
prose title translates as "Palace of the Arisen mountain" .
The building is in traditional Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
nese architectural style and occupying parts of the Mangkunegaran
Mangkunegaran
Mangkunegaran is a small hereditary Grand duchy located within the region of Surakarta in Indonesia.It was established in 1757 by Raden Mas Said, when he submitted his army to Pakubuwana III in February, and swore allegiance to the rulers of Surakarta, Yogyakarta, and the Dutch East Indies Company,...
Royal Cemetery complex, it is approximately 300 metres from the burial sites of the Solonese royals Mangkunegara I
Mangkunegara I
Mangkunegara I was the first ruler of Mangkunegaran in Java. He was also known as Prince Sambernyawa...
, II and III. Former Indonesian President Soeharto was buried in Astana Giribangun following his death on the 28th of January 2008 with full State military honours, beside his late wife, Madame Tien Soeharto (Siti Hartinah
Siti Hartinah
Raden Ayu Siti Hartinah was the wife of the second Indonesian president, Suharto. She is usually known as Ibu Tien to Indonesians, but is also known as Siti Hartinah Soeharto .Mrs Suharto was also widely acknowledged to be a close confidant and political advisor to...
Soeharto, who died earlier on April 28, 1996) and her late mother Mrs. Soehjarto.
The actual site was controversial at the time as many Javanese believed Madame Suharto not to be of true noble blood, but the descendent of a faithful court servant (who was born a commoner). The Mangkunegaran Court reconciled this controversy and decreed Suharto may indeed build his Astana, but may not be built any higher than a pre-existing Royal tomb.
Astana Mangadeg, where Astana Giribangun is sited, was considered a powerful location by many dukun
Dukun
A dukun is an Indonesian-Malay term for shaman. In Malaysia, they are often referred to as bomoh, but dukun is the more ancient term. Their societal role is that of a traditional healer, spirit medium, custom and tradition experts and on occasion sorcerers and masters of black magic.The dukun is...
, spiritualists and soothsayers for the strongly kejawen or kebatinan Suharto to meditate and derive charisma or sakti
Sakti
Sakti is a town and a nagar palika in Janjgir-Champa district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.It was the seat of the princely Sakti State.-Geography:Sakti is located at . It has an average elevation of 237 metres .-Demographics:...
(magicks).
The Astana Giribangun complex may be seen on Wikimapia at this location (7.651922°N 111.070758°W
Further reading
- Astana Giribangun. Panduan Peziarah. Yayasan Mangadeg Surakarta. 1996.(Indonesian language) ISBN- unknown.
- Indonesia, Justine Varsulis. Lonely Planet, 2007: 206. ISBN 1741044359
- Dewi Sri in Village Garb: Fertility, Myth, and Ritual in Northeast Java, Journal article by Rens Heringa; in Asian Folklore Studies Vol. 56. Asian Folklore Studies 1997.
- Self and Self-Conduct among the Javanese "priyayi" Elite, translated from Indonesian by J. Joseph Errington. American Ethnologist, Vol. 11, No. 2 (May, 1984), pp.
External links
- http://www.joglosemar.co.id/solo/giribgn.gif
- http://lh4.google.co.id/cahpamulang/R5-1yreuWsI/AAAAAAAAAAA/C7AV4Cir-Uw/makam_CDN03.jpg