Srimanganti gate seen from the Bangsal Smorokoto
The Srimanganti area is south of Kori Kamandungan. The name Srimanganti stems from srCking,'ruler, and manganti,'to wait'. This area consists of several buildings and structures around a courtyard. It serves as an area where both important guests and high placed dignitaries are greeted, by the ruler or some of his other relatives, or where they had to wait before they were admitted to the inner palace.
The courtyard itself is dominated by two large open structures or Pendopo on its east and west, and by another gateway on its south, Kori Srimanganti. The western pendopo, facing east, is called Bangsal Morokoto or Smorokoto,
Asmorokoto in full. Asmorokoto derives its meaning from the Javanese expression dawuh kang nengsemake, 'gratifying words'. It also comes from the Arab term I marocog Coto" 'preserving whatever exists because thus is its fate' Bangsal Morokoto was used by the high placed Bupati Lebet courtiers to wait and to gather on their way to meet the ruler. It was also the place where gifts or honours were presented to these dignitaries, and to inaugurate new Panewu Mantri officials. In Mataram's bureaucratic hierarchy the Bupati Lebet were high officials in charge of matters concerning the realm's administration. Panewu Mantri were lower ranking, often regional aristocrats, but who held a position at the top of this lower-ranked class of officials.
The other large open building in the eastern part of the Srimanganti courtyard, facingwest, is called Bangsal Marcukundo. This hall was used for military purposes and a place for the officers of the palace guard to meet the ruler. It was also used to pass sentences on the princes and other members of the royal family, and courtiers who had committed a crime. The name marcukundo can be interpreted in several ways. In Javanese, it is said to come from the expression 'kondo kang sereng~ 'harsh words spoken'. This is closely connected to the name Smorokoto, the bangsal on the other side of the courtyard, which means 'sweet words spoken'. In Kawi (Old Javanese) it can mean ,a place where fire burns, or a symbol of anger. It can also be connected with Arabic 'marudsul kuloh, meaning 'to send off a necessary mission'. Both pendopo at Srimanganti are intensively used, for festive purposes, receptions, and meetings. Bangsal Marcukundo is also used to store a beautifully worked, wooden construction once used for the circumcision ceremonies of princes.
Behind Bangsal Marcukundo is a small uncomfortable prison especially for the royal family, Panti Pidono. The court's hall of justice, situated on the west behind Bangsal Marcukundo and its prison is called Sidikoro. It has its own entrance, west of the karaton, around the corner of Kamandungan.
Crossing the Srimanganti courtyard, passing Bangsal Smorokoto and Marcukundo one reaches the entrance to the inner palace, Kori Srimanganti Lor. Another Sri Makutho Rojo shield decorates its doorway. Beneath it is written in Roman numerals MDCCLXXX (AD 1780). The Javanese letters ga-la-ga-pa also found here refer to the Javanese year AJ 1718. On the gate's left and right side are elegant painted blue and white decorations of blossoming cotton and rice, symbolizing fertility and prosperity.
East of the gateway is a sturdy looking corner room facing west, which was used for ihe offices of wedotios (high-ranking court officials). Above its doorway is another royal symbol and depictons of royal weapons. The allegory symbolizes that the court and its ruler are obliged to put an end to all conflicts and create an atmosphere of unity and unification. It is also a chronogram. Senjoto, 'weapons' (the number 5); kasaliro (8); rasaning,'the feeling of'(6); narendro, I the king' (1), giving 5 - 8 6 - I or AJ 1685 / AD 1754, well into the reign of Paku Buwono 111.
Adjacent to Kori Srimanganti Lor on its west side is yet another room, facing east, above the doorway of which is a picture of a man carrying various weapons. This too is an allegory, and signifies that the ruler is murbo waseso, I obligated to judge and punish evil-doers'. It is also another chronograrn for the year AJ 1685/ AD 1754, the period of Paku Buwono III (r.1749-88).
Passing through Kori Srimanganti Lor one encounters another dividing wall with a large mirror. Here looking in the mirror signifies that one has symbolically begun to enter 'heaven'and is on the way to meet one's inner self, one's'soul'.
Kori Srimanganti Lor is a large gate, with an extensive interior through which one has to pass. On the interior walls are large images, in several shades of blue and bright white stucco and plaster, symbolizing various elements of one's journey to the subsequent plane of spiritual perfection. The combination of reliefs on Kori Srimanganti's inner walls all point to one's acceptance of unhesitatingly abandoning all worldly needs, like the desire for sex, food, clothing, titles, ranks, etc. Only after one is able to leave all these behind can one enter the realm of perfection, a phase known as pamoring kawulo Gusti.
On the west side of the inner gate is a protected enclosure where in former times the women guards to the inner courtyard, Nyai Regol used to sit. They would scrutinize any visitor who passed this gate going to the center of the court, or any of the members of the royal household and royal family going out.
