Font Entrance of Mesjid Agung

West of the Alun-Alun, precisely on the axis from the Ringin Kurung Sakembaran, stands Surakarta's main mosque, a magnificent, multi-storied building in classical Javanese style, Masjid Ageng Surokarto Hadiningrat. Built during the reign of Paku Buwono IV (r. 1788-1820), it was completed during the reign of Paku Buwono X (r. 1893-1939). One of his changes transformed its entrance, which originally had the form of a Javanese gateway in limasan style, to Indo-Persian style, with three main entry-ways, the central entry being wider than the other two. In addition to a main entrance on the east, this complex has gates in the north and south, also in Indo-Persian style.

 From the central entry a walkway leads west to the mosque's vestibule. A sunken floor on the north, east, and south sides of the vestibule contains running water so that those entering the mosque passing here will automatically have their feet cleansed. Unfortunately the entrance from the east, which is now roofed, now has a concrete bridge across it, so that those who enter the mosque no longer have the pleasure and comfort of having their feet cleaned in this way.

A ceremonial Gunungan  is carried on its is way to the front gate of Mesjid Agung

The main roof of the Masjid Ageng Surokarto has the same form as other Islamic sacred structures, known as tajug, which in Java is reserved for religious buildings, including mosques and tombs. The roof has four tiers. The first three have a traditional Javanese tajug form, while the fourth is the pinnacle, which was originally of gold. In Islam the four tiers symbolize the four levels of worship of Allah. According to religious traditions these are known as Syariat, Tarekat, Hakekat and Makrifat.

The peak of the mosque's roof, once made of gold, was replaced with other material during the reign of Paku Buwono X, after half of the gold was stolen.

The traditional place for cleansing oneself before prayer, or wudhu, is situated in the north part of the mosque, on the north side of the women's prayer room. Originally the wudhu was a broad pool of water, but because of mosquitos, the pool was drained and another wudhu was built, north of the mosque's vestibule, which uses water from the municipal water system. Near the wudhu is the high adzan minaret. The form of the minaret is reminiscent of a phallus or, in preIslamic times, lingga, symbolizing the male aspect; the former wudhu pool symbolized the yoni, or female aspect. The unification of the two symbols represented fertility and creation.

In the northeast and southeast of the mosque grounds, near the main entrance, there are two small but sturdy elevated structures which are used only once a year for one whole week, during the sekaten festival. This is held yearly from the fifth to the twelfth of the month Maulud, to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The two buildings are used to host the special gamelan orchestras, Gamelan Sekaten, which are played especially for this occasion. It is said that both sets or at least certain instruments are very old, dating back to the 16 th century.

It is believed that to hear the first gong of the first composition played at the beginning of Sekaten will bring luck for the rest of the year. Women pray and bring flower offerings to the large gongs, hoping that its spirit will grant them their wish. The gamelan are played alternately, from morning to night, every day during the festival, while a large open air market adds to the festive atmosphere