REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended the wedding of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X’s fourth daughter Gusti Raden Ajeng Nur Abra Juwita (29 years, known as GKR Hayu) and Angger Pribadi Wibowo (39 years, known as KPH Notonegoro) on Tuesday. The Royal Wedding is held from October 21 to 23, 2013.
Around 09.15 AM, Vice President Boediono with his wife were present. President, Vice President and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X sat at Kencono Ward, while other VVIP guests, such as ministers and ambassadors sat at veranda of Kencono Ward.
Around 10.00 AM, KPH Notonegoro came out from Ksatriyan Ward, while GKR Hayu came out from Sekar Kedhaton Ward. After both bride and groom sat at Kencono Ward, ceremonial procession of Panggih (Kraton Wedding-red) was conducted, such as Balangan Gantal (ritual by both bride and groom), Mecah Tigan (breaking an egg), Wijikan (the bride washes the groom’s fee) and Pondhongan, which means ’to carry someone on one’s arms. In Pondhongan session, GKR Hayu was carried by her husband and her brother (GBPH Suryodiningrat) to veranda of Kencono Ward.
Pondhongan ritual is held only in Kraton. It will not be found in any common traditional wedding ceremonies. Pondhongan is conducted when the bride is a daughter of a King.
Next, the bride and the groom walked hand in hand to the aisle at Tratag Ward Kencono in west. All guests then conveyed congratulation to bride and groom.