In the month of Ramadan, Muslims are given the opportunity to pray even more by fasting and tarawih prayers. The privilege that may be familiar and much awaited by Muslims is the event of the arrival of the night of Lailatul Qadar. The night which is nobler than a thousand months is believed to fall on the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan, especially the odd nights.
In the city of Solo, there is a unique tradition of welcoming the night of Lailatul Qadar. Kraton Kasunanan Surakarta commemorates it by holding a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, it is called the “Malam Selikuran” or “21st Night” on the 20th day of Ramadan or the night before the 21st day of Ramadan.
Malam Selikuran event is also one of the events that carry the tradition of carnival or procession. This carnival was held in bulk and was attended by hundreds of participants, ranging from courtiers, officials and palace families, the community, to security officers from various elements such as the police, Brimob, and Banser.
The procession begins with a procession of courtiers carrying 1000 tumpeng rice called Hajad Dalem Tumpeng Sewu. This tumpeng is then placed on the takir (rice container) inside the ancak cantaka (carrier box) from the Kasunanan Palace to the Great Mosque which is on the west side of the north square. In the era of Paku Buwono X, this carnival was held up to Sriwedari Park.
In addition to bringing tumpeng rice, the courtiers also brought a ting lamp (oil lamp) which was a symbol of the torch that the companions brought when they picked up the Prophet Muhammad who came down from Jabal Nur after receiving the revelation. Arriving at the Great Mosque, the tumpeng rice is then prayed for by the ulama and distributed to the community.
