Kelanawisata.id, Yogyakarta — A sea of people poured into the courtyard of the Masjid Gedhe Kauman on Tuesday evening, August 25, 2026. Under the dim glow of the city lights and the fragrant scent of roses wafting through the air, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X strode purposefully toward the mosque’s porch, marking the beginning of the Kondur Gangsa ceremony. This ritual is not merely the return of sacred musical instruments, but the emotional climax of the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, which has been underway since the beginning of the month of Mulud.

A sacred atmosphere enveloped the scene as His Majesty began distributing udhik-udhik to the crowd that had been waiting for hours. Hands scrambled for the flying grains of turmeric-colored rice and coins—a symbol of the king’s alms that connects the throne to his people through a close spiritual bond. After the alms-distribution ritual concluded, Sri Sultan entered the Masjid Gedhe to listen to the recitation of the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), a treatise compiled by Kanjeng Raden Penghulu Haji M. Wardan Diponingrat.

Innovation Wrapped in Tradition

The year 2026 brought a new dimension to the long history of Sekaten. A striking difference was evident in the timing of the gamelan’s descent. The Kyai Guntur Madu gamelan was lowered from Pagongan Kidul immediately after His Majesty set foot inside the mosque, giving the procession a more dynamic rhythm compared to previous years.

More than just a physical journey, this gamelan procession to the Yogyakarta Palace was accompanied by the sound of instruments played along the way. The rhythmic sounds of the Kyai Guntur Madu and Kyai Nagawilaga cut through the crowd, creating an atmosphere unlike anything experienced in the previous decade. Mas Jajar Yuda Kawindra, Lumaksana Carik Kawedanan Keprajuritan, noted that the presence of the Bregada Nyutra Nyangkrak Nyono—carrying torches from the mosque courtyard—was the defining element of the evening.

Dimming the Lights at Bangsal Pagelaran

As the procession entered the Bangsal Pagelaran area, the atmosphere became more dramatic. The lights were deliberately dimmed, leaving a dim glow pierced only by the flickering flames of the soldiers’ torches. In that solemn darkness, the sound of the sekati gamelan echoed more powerfully, creating a resonant, spine-tingling experience for everyone present.

For tourists, this moment is an unforgettable experience. Rofiq, a traveler from Lampung, admitted he was captivated by the cultural resilience on display. In his view, the uniqueness of Yogyakarta’s traditions feels very strong and authentic, especially for those witnessing the Sekaten closing ritual in person for the first time.

The procession concluded when Kyai Guntur Madu and Kyai Nagawilaga returned to the king’s residence. The return of these two gamelan ensembles marked the official end of the Sekaten music, which had been echoing since the 5th of Rabiul Awal, bringing the commemoration of the Prophet’s Birthday to a close with great splendor and spiritual reflection.