RRI.CO.ID, Bantul: The Yogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace held a Labuhan Ceremony at Parangkusumo Beach, Parangtritis Kretek, Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Monday, January 19, 2026. The event commemorated Tingalan Jumenengan Dalem, the 38th anniversary of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X's ascension to the throne.

This event is an annual sacred tradition of the Yogyakarta Palace, held in the month of Ruwah according to the Javanese calendar. This procession expresses gratitude to God and asks for the safety of the king, the people, and the ancestors.

The Labuhan Ceremony is the culmination of a series of Hajat Dalem (a royal ceremony) activities. Several preceding traditional processions, such as Ngebluk, Ngapem, and Sugengan Tingalan Jumenengan Dalem, are held privately.

According to Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Kusumanegara, the Envoy of the Ndalem of the Yogyakarta Palace, this ceremony is a legacy of the Mataram Dynasty.

"Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X is the heir to the Mataram Dynasty, so the Sultan is obligated to preserve and continue the legacy of his predecessors," he said.

The ceremony begins with the dispatch of ubarampe (offerings) that have been kept overnight at the Sri Manganti Hall within the Yogyakarta Palace complex. The offerings are then carried from the palace to Parangkusumo Beach in Bantul and handed over to the caretaker at Cepuri Parangkusumo (a scrae place). The offerings are prayed over and dropped into the Indian Ocean.

Both the local community and tourists enthusiastically participate in the Labuhan ritual. According to Mas Bekel Suraksa Trirejo, the caretaker of Parangtritis Fishing Village, this tradition is becoming more popular because it attracts tourists.

"Of course, the more visitors we have, especially to the fishing village, the better. Considering that Hajat Dalem is on the Parangtritis tourist destination's calendar of events, that adds to visitors' enthusiasm as they enjoy the beach while watching Hajat Dalem," he said.

As part of the Tingalan Jumenengan Dalem tradition of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Labuhan Parangkusumo and Labuhan Agung Dlepih (in Wonogiri, Central Java) departed on January 19 and then will be follow with Labuhan Merapi (at Merapi Mount) and Labuhan Lawu (at Lawu Mount) on January 20, 2026. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)