Magelang Grand Mosque

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A. Overview

Every town around Indonesia usually has a square with a grand mosque at its west side. And so does Magelang, a 1104 year old town with its historical mosque at the west side of its square, namely Payaman Magelang Grand Mosque.

According to its history, this grand mosque is the center of Islam dissemination in Magelang and nearby areas. Previously, this mosque was only a small mosque built by Kiai Mudzakir about 400 years ago. Kiai Mudzakir, who came from East Java, built this small mosque in order to introduce Islam to local people. This worship place located on Tentara Pelajar Street or at the west side of Magelang square was changed into a mosque when Magelang was led by the third regent, namely Danuningrat, in 1779. In 1935, the mosque was renovated by the fifth regent of Magelang, namely Danu Sugondo.

Since then, there is a private worship place belonged to regents, a square room inscribed 1779. When a regent worshipped there, the room was covered by net. The main hall of the Grand Mosque is of 10 x 10 m. This mosque also has right and left verandas. The front veranda was shaped like a dome which size is 14 x 10 m. In 1981, the mayor of Magelang, A. Bagus Panuntun, ordered the building of another veranda which size is 6 x 20 meter along with a tower. Mayor H. Fahriyanto ordered the building of the north gate and the paving of the mosque yard.

As any other grand mosques, Magelang Grand Mosque is also equipped with tower and bedug (a large drum suspended horizontally), as facilities to summon to prayer.

B. Features

The special thing about this mosque is that it is always full of activities for 24 hours. During the fasting month, this mosque is always busy from zuhur (midday prayer) time until tarawih (evening prayer during Ramadan) time. Moslem praying in this mosque are not only local people, but also people from all over Magelang Regency. Usually, the jamaah (congregation), who vow to do 40-day staying in the mosque, recite the Koran in the hall while waiting for the praying time. For other daily activities, such as eating, some of them buy it in the food stalls around the mosque, some have the food delivered by their families, and some pay monthly fee and let local people prepare it.

Various religious events are held during Ramadan (the fasting month) in this grand mosque, such as semaan (collective recitation of Koran) for a month. This semaan is held for travellers or visitors from other cities in Java. They purposefully come to attend the Koran semaan led by Kiai Haji Nawawi, the leader of An-Nur Magelang Pondok Pesantren (Muslim religious boarding school). To join semaan, attendants must stay in nearby mosques or in local people’s houses. Travellers drop by this mosque can also join the semaan.

Semaan is usually held from 9 a.m. until zuhur time. It will continue from asar (third daily prayer) time until magrib (sunset prayer) time. Jemaah who join this special semaan are usually about 100 until 200 people. The attendants are mostly adults or elders. Usually, semaan will finish near the day of Idul Fitri.

Every afternoon during fasting month, Grand Mosque always provides food for breaking the fast of about 200 servings in form of nasi bungkus (rice wrapped in banana leaves) and drinks. People of Kauman, around the area of the mosque, take turns to provide the food and drink. After tarawih praying, there are also takjil (snacks) for 100 people. The numbers of congregation reach its peak during Ramadan, which is up to 300 people.

In addition to the religious features, you can also learn Javanese municipal planning. The town square represents the center of the world. At the south side, there is the palace building as the residence of king which represents the political symbol. Mosque along with Kauman settlements as the houses of royal servants or Moslem students represents the symbol of religious belief. The building of pajeksan (jail) represents the inforcement of law. Market at the north far side of the square represents the economics activities. One thing distinguishes municipal from kota kadipaten is the building of pendopo (large open pavillion-like veranda at the front of a big house where guests are entertained) kadipaten at the north side of the square.

C. Location

Magelang Grand Mosque is located on Tentara Pelajar Street, Magelang, Central Java.

D. Access

Magelang Grand Mosque is about 60 km west of Yogyakarta downtown. To reach this mosque, you can use land transportation, either private or public one. By public transportation, you can depart from Giwangan bus station or Jombor sub-bus station, Yogyakarta. From those bus stations, you can take public intercity bus route Yogyakarta-Semarang. You can stop at Tidar bus station, Magelang. You can continue your journey by taking city public transportation of blue color which stops at Magelang Square.

If you go by private transportation, you can go directly to Magelang Square. The route can be taken from Yogyakarta through Magelang Street toward Magelang Square on Tentara Pelajar Street.

E. Ticket

There is no particular charge to enter Magelang Grand Mosque. All religious features available in this mosque are for free.

F. Accomodations and Other Facilities

Magelang Grand Mosque provides some facilities to support your religious needs. There are restaurants and inns around this mosque. Not far from this mosque, there is Pondok An-Nur Magelang. Moreover, the location of this mosque is near the economic center of Magelang downtown, namely Magelang Pecinan Area (Magelang’s chinatown).

Text: Adi Tri Pramono
Photo(s): Collections of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Febrianti Ika Dewi
(Primary data and various sources)

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If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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